Problems with Cracks in Walls of New House

bubblyjo2010

We moved into our new semi-detached) house a few weeks ago and have noticed a severe crack in the garage wall that hasn't been picked up by the HB Survey (middle one) that we had.

It is an extensive crack visible from the inside of the garage and on the external wall. It is an integrated garage with an extension above it. Extension was done in the early 90's.

We think it may be related to the drains (and possibly tree roots as there is a large protected tree and the end of our neighbours drive)

Our neighbour (non detached side) also has cracks in her garage and had previously had a surveyor out to look at the issue and they mentioned it was probably the drains. Our neighbour spoke to the previous owner of our house at the time and he apparently refused to do anything about it.

Where do we start? I have contacted the company that did the survey but do we do anything in the meantime - get another surveyor round (although likely to cost us). We had a friend have a look yesterday and he thinks it may well be drain related an possibly need to be underpinned.

If anyone has any advice on where we start on this it would be greatly received! Do we wait until we hear from the people that did our survey or just get on with getting it sorted and try to claim the costs back? And should the previous owner have declared this - it is clear the cracks have been previously filled so was obviously aware of them!

HampshireH

I would suggest both your surveyor if you had a proper survey done and your seller should have mentioned it.

However if its that obvious how did you not notice yourself?

davidmcn

bubblyjo2010 wrote: »

should the previous owner have declared this

If you asked them. But I suspect you didn't.

bubblyjo2010

We weren't able to access the garage at the first viewing and on the second we had a brief look around but didn't notice it as it was full of his stuff. However the crack is at the very top of the wall going down so a surveyor would have been able to see it as would assume they would have a proper look. Equally would have seen it when he looked at the exterior walls - can't say i was paying attention looking for external cracks knowing we would have a survey done!

bubblyjo2010

davidmcn wrote: »

If you asked them. But I suspect you didn't.

No we didn't.... but surely the surveyor should have picked it up?

HampshireH

On your survey does it suggest it has been checked and missed?

Pull out your report and have a look.

Use that to go back to your surveyor if you arent happy with its contents

bubblyjo2010

HampshireH wrote: »

On your survey does it suggest it has been checked and missed?

Pull out your report and have a look.

Use that to go back to your surveyor if you arent happy with its contents

Yes totally missed on survey - both on the comments on viewing the inside of the garage and when reviewing the external walls. We have sent a complaint to the company that the surveyor works for and we are awaiting a reply.

I just want to know what we do next - start getting the issue fixed or wait for the survey company to come back to us before doing this.

HampshireH

Personally i would wait to do the work. But in the mean time you could instruct a structural survey and/or drainage survey so that you know the extent of the problem and can start looking at costs to fix.

Combined they could cost you the best part of £700 just for the surveys to identify the problem.

HampshireH

Example on that i work alongside a structural contractor who charge £550 plus VAT for a full survey (whole house etc) obviously it will be cheaper if you isolate this to garage only (I'd want piece of mind on the whole house though especially with an extension above it)

macman

If the garage was full of junk, then there's no reason why he would have seen it any more than you would: a surveyor isn't going to move furniture or dismantle things to do his inspection.
The vendor has no obligation whatsoever to declare known faults-he simply has to answer any questions truthfully.

bubblyjo2010

macman wrote: »

If the garage was full of junk, then there's no reason why he would have seen it any more than you would: a surveyor isn't going to move furniture or dismantle things to do his inspection.
The vendor has no obligation whatsoever to declare known faults-he simply has to answer any questions truthfully.

Thanks - but should have seen the crack on the outside and maybe investigated further - or at least mentioned it in the survey.