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Building Survey has me worried!

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Comments

  • Teasedale
    Teasedale Posts: 45 Forumite
    Evening everyone. I'd like some advice and opinions please.
    I've bought and sold a few properties and have had a bit to do with surveys. I sould hazard a guess that the building described is not a house, but a career.

    Unless the location is unutterably splendid, I suggest "don't"!
  • In all honesty it doesn't sound too bad, quite a lot of work but nothing catastrophic (but you should be asking yourself if it's something you're willing to take on, and don't be surprised if you uncover more surprises needing £££).


    I'd be worried about that chimney, though. Could be coincidence, but the removal of the chimney breast in kitchen on a poorly maintained property could be why your chimney is leaning at roof level (indicating a structural issue - is there evidence of steels where the chimney would've been?)
  • Doozergirl
    Doozergirl Posts: 34,082 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    In all honesty it doesn't sound too bad, quite a lot of work but nothing catastrophic (but you should be asking yourself if it's something you're willing to take on, and don't be surprised if you uncover more surprises needing £££).


    I'd be worried about that chimney, though. Could be coincidence, but the removal of the chimney breast in kitchen on a poorly maintained property could be why your chimney is leaning at roof level (indicating a structural issue - is there evidence of steels where the chimney would've been?)

    The surveyor's already pointed out a fair bit of movement and deflection in the building, but the chimney stack itself isn't an indication of anything with the main house, it's just its own problem.

    It's Victorian, it's been up there, quite small, subjected to the elements on all four sides for over a century and inles sit's already been pointed up and maintained, the mortar breaks down and the chimney starts to lean. It's really common. Most people don't look at their chimneys at all really, unless they start leaking or a bird nests in it.

    I think the surveyor has done a great job of uncovering many surprises. I can't think of many more that he could highlight if it were a game of survey bingo!
    Everything that is supposed to be in heaven is already here on earth.
  • YoungBlueEyes
    YoungBlueEyes Posts: 4,997 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Homepage Hero Photogenic
    I didn't see any evidence of steels no...

    The surveyor is ringing me back to go through it all. The EA doesn't think the vendor will come down any further (I've already knocked a good bit off the AP) but he's ringing her and getting back to me.

    I've spoken to a few more people this morning while I was taking the dogs out. A lot of the dog walkers round here are seasoned/more experienced and they all but one said it's a no go for me. Too much work + too dear + likely to uncover more problems once it's started. My friend Marcus (plumber + sparky, very competent type) said it isn't majorly bad, and suggested some corners to cut for costs. Eg a good builder is usually a decent plasterer so that'll save a bit.

    I've started househunting again but not having a lot of luck finding anything... :(
    Shout out to people who don't know what the opposite of in is.
  • Hoploz
    Hoploz Posts: 3,888 Forumite
    I'd be concerned as work needs doing ... Which always costs more than you think it's going to and often other things are uncovered ... And you have no income.
  • YoungBlueEyes
    YoungBlueEyes Posts: 4,997 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Homepage Hero Photogenic
    I've had a good long chat to Hugh the surveyor. In a nutshell he said "it's a reasonable proposition for purchase". Would you let your daughter spend £120k to buy it? "Yeah there's nothing majorly wrong with it that can't be fixed. As long as the roof/purlins/rafters and rear floor were properly sorted, it's not a bad little house".

    He isn't worried about the movement as it's not recent. Sorting the damp out (rear floor etc) and properly heating and ventilating the place will go a long way to sorting the damp walls. Replastering would be an idea but not desperately needed in the short term. The flat roof is "not a concern", a bit of bitumen or a few hundred quid would see it right. Presuming the woodworm are active would be a few thousand at worst, but that might not be needed (get a specialist etc). Lowering the concrete in the rear yard is not a massive job either - poss a couple of hundred quid ish.

    So the big instant jobs are the roof and the attic - building regs + insulation and bigger windows so folk can get out in a fire - and the rear floor sorted and relaid, and sort the drainage out the back, the rest is to do but not desperately. He thinks £120k is about right if the work was done.

    I think I'm for walking away, my gut says that there'll be more and more issues the more work I do to the place. I think if I spent a bunch of money sorting it all out I wouldn't get it back if I sold up.

    I haven't heard back from the vendor, I've a feeling she'll say no as I've already had £15k off.

    Aaand it's back to house hunting.... :(

    Thanks everyone for your helpful replies, I'm very grateful.
    Shout out to people who don't know what the opposite of in is.
  • Doozergirl
    Doozergirl Posts: 34,082 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    I'm sorry :(

    Hugh sounds like a keeper though.

    There will be something else. Similar price, little less work. :o
    Everything that is supposed to be in heaven is already here on earth.
  • YoungBlueEyes
    YoungBlueEyes Posts: 4,997 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Homepage Hero Photogenic
    Yeah I'll certainly use him again. Lovely candid guy.

    One thing I forgot to put in my last post was that all the major things that are wrong with this house would have come up on a homebuyers survey. I didn't really need a full jobber. Live and learn!

    I'm looking round slightly worse areas now. Apparently Belper is really very nice, so I can come down the scale a little and still be in a decent area. I'll find something.
    Shout out to people who don't know what the opposite of in is.
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