Surveys: buyers on site while it happens?

MaMoneyMaMoney

I have never done that before. I am sure many of you had a survey carried out on the house before you bought it.

Were you there while the surveyor was doing his/her work?
Would you recommend being there? Should I be there?

Thanks in advance.

Slithery

Will there be someone to let them in if you aren't there?

davidmcn

Has the surveyor invited you to join them? It's not normal. My last surveyor offered the opportunity to join him for a brief tour of the main points of interest (though I wasn't available anyway).

davidmcn

Slithery wrote: »

Will there be someone to let them in if you aren't there?

OP refers to buyers on site rather than sellers.

Slithery

Oops, sorry

But no, I haven't. If there is anything in particular that you'd like them to take a look at then let them know before they go in.

MaMoneyMaMoney

Has the surveyor invited you to join them? It's not normal. My last surveyor offered the opportunity to join him for a brief tour of the main points of interest (though I wasn't available anyway).

No. I don't have a surveyor yet. But I'm preparing myself to having one. I'm doing research and ask for quotes so when the time comes I'll be ready to call one.

I just think I'm not sure I would feel "safe" knowing the surveyor is there with the agent.

What if the agent distracts from the work?

If I am to pay big money for a house (read: London), I want absolutely every stone and even grain of sand to be checked upside down.

London prices are crazy and the vendors have lost contact with reality. So better get prepared well for "the long tail"..

Slithery

Do you do your job differently if people are watching? I know I don't.

davidmcn

Do you even know that the agent will be there? The surveyors normally just borrow the keys.

Marvel1

MaMoneyMaMoney wrote: »

If I am to pay big money for a house (read: London), I want absolutely every stone and even grain of sand to be checked upside down.

Just note they probably won't check electrics or the boiler as they are not qualified.

Finchy2018

I used to work for a surveyors. As a rule we did not allow buyers to go on the survey.

1. Did not want to be responsible for them.

2. They are distracting and don't let you get on with your job.

Let them collect keys and get on with it. They are happy to discuss anything over the phone anyway.

Davesnave

MaMoneyMaMoney wrote: »

What if the agent distracts from the work?

If I am to pay big money for a house (read: London), I want absolutely every stone and even grain of sand to be checked upside down...

What if you distract them, more like!

It's unlikely any agent will accompany the surveyor, as it would be a totally unproductive activity for them.

You don't seriously think they'd lurk in the background, ready to shout, something weird, feign sudden illness or fall down the stairs at some crucial moment? :rotfl: