Found another house...to survey or not to survey?

kezzygirl

*sigh* so, we have found another house which ticks all of our boxes this time!! Our offer has been accepted at 10k lower than asking price due to updating works needed-kitchen and bathroom.

The house is 33 years old, we are considering not getting a home buyers survey as we feel confident the house has been looked after. It is owned by an elderly lady who has lived in it since it was built. Her husband has passed and she is moving in with her son. The decorating is not to my taste, but from viewing the house twice there is nothing jumping out at us that needs doing apart from the kitchen and bathroom and that is because it is outdated and not to our taste. It is well kept, we get the impression that anything that has needed doing, she has had done.

Would we be foolish not to get a home buyers survey?

Amanda_Cm

Ask for another viewing and take a friend (builder etc.) or someone that can advise you if to get survey.

Cakeguts

Get a structural engineers report. This will tell you if the structure is sound but not how much decorating you need to do.

dunroving

I am purchasing a very similar type of property. I have ordered a survey just for peace of mind. There may be issues the current homeowners are completely unaware of.

Smodlet

Cakeguts wrote: »

Get a structural engineers report. This will tell you if the structure is sound but not how much decorating you need to do.

I don't see the need for this, though am not sure what you mean, Cakeguts. Do you mean a building survey or a civil engineer's report?

For the most part, all that is needed is a Homebuyer's report but I second the visit with a builder absolutely. With a bit of charm, it should not cost more than a few tenners, if that and you can get estimates for cost of repairs/work. Surveyors cannot give you that.

Have you checked out the neighbours yet, kezzy? No shipping containers in evidence, I hope?

bertiewhite

The buyers of my last house had a "gold standard" survey carried out and nearly pulled out because of some of the findings. Then he brought a builder round to estimate for the work that was suggested and the builder laughed, commenting that once again, a surveyor had covered his @rse by suggesting that "some work may be required in the future blah blah".

Davesnave

Smodlet wrote: »

I don't see the need for this, though am not sure what you mean, Cakeguts. Do you mean a building survey or a civil engineer's report?

Cakeguts means that many things that a homebuyers' report will detail are those anyone with eyes and half a brain would see themselves.

A structural engineer will only look at the building itself for evidence of physical weaknesses like subsidence, collapsing drains, failing wall ties and dodgy roof timbers.

I'm not agreeing with cakeguts just pointing out what was meant. I've never used a surveyor myself, and never needed to, having plenty of contacts in the building trade. I used a semi-retired structural engineer a few years back, after which I decided he should have fully retired.

JennyP

Cakeguts wrote: »

Get a structural engineers report. This will tell you if the structure is sound but not how much decorating you need to do.

Seconded. That's what I always do. Usually lots less than a survey.

The last one also told me which walls I can safely remove as they aren't structural and pointed out which of my proposed improvements would work and which had flaws and needed more thought. He Aldo suggested a couple of things we could do maintenance wise. Really useful.

Cakeguts

Smodlet wrote: »

I don't see the need for this, though am not sure what you mean, Cakeguts. Do you mean a building survey or a civil engineer's report?

For the most part, all that is needed is a Homebuyer's report but I second the visit with a builder absolutely. With a bit of charm, it should not cost more than a few tenners, if that and you can get estimates for cost of repairs/work. Surveyors cannot give you that.

Have you checked out the neighbours yet, kezzy? No shipping containers in evidence, I hope?

No structural engineer's report. They only look at the structure not the interior decorations. They won't tell you if you need a new kitchen but they will tell you if the gable wall is about to fall off. We always have these reports. If you know that all interior fitments are cosmetic and can be replaced you only need to know that the building that you are putting them into is going to stay up.

kezzygirl

We aren't planning on any extensions or removing walls etc. So do not think structural is needed.
There are no shipping containers in sight! Neighbours gardens and clean, tidy etc huzzah!

Might just get home buyers done....again, I am aware they engage in !!! covering, I'm getting a bit wise in this home buying business!!

dunroving

kezzygirl wrote: »

We aren't planning on any extensions or removing walls etc. So do not think structural is needed.
There are no shipping containers in sight! Neighbours gardens and clean, tidy etc huzzah!

Might just get home buyers done....again, I am aware they engage in !!! covering, I'm getting a bit wise in this home buying business!!

There was only £150 difference between HBS and full structural so I decided in the long term, the £150 extra would be a drop in the ocean. Even though "my" ;-) new house is relatively new and looks very well cared-for, I just think I'll sleep better at night having had a full survey done.