Which survey?

ncfcfan

Hi all,

The searches on our house have revealed a ground stability problem.

Under the enquiry "What is the potential for natural ground instability in the area within 50m of the property" we have a 'moderate' risk. Essentially, the ground stability is an area of concern.

It means our potential property may be affected by subsidence or land-heave.

My question is - do we need a home buyers survey or a structural survey? Obviously a home buyers survey would be a broader option, but would that cover what we need?

Thanks!

davidmcn

ncfcfan wrote: »

The searches on our house have revealed a ground stability problem.

Under the enquiry "What is the potential for natural ground instability in the area within 50m of the property" we have a 'moderate' risk. Essentially, the ground stability is an area of concern.

It means our potential property may be affected by subsidence or land-heave.

Surely "moderate" here just means "average"? Who has told you that it merits further investigation?

A home buyers survey should tell you whether the property has actually suffered any structural movement.

ncfcfan

davidmcn wrote: »

Surely "moderate" here just means "average"? Who has told you that it merits further investigation?

A home buyers survey should tell you whether the property has actually suffered any structural movement.

The search says there's no major cause for concern, and that it doesn't mean there's definitely going to be a problem.

The search itself suggests investigating.

davidmcn

ncfcfan wrote: »

The search says there's no major cause for concern, and that it doesn't mean there's definitely going to be a problem.

The search itself suggests investigating.

Well, you'll be investigating whether the property has suffered movement anyway by getting a surveyor round.

Bear in mind these searches are very general - the whole neighbourhood probably has the same risk of ground movement, it doesn't mean there's anything special about your house.

ncfcfan

No no, of course. All I'm saying is the search suggests it should be investigated. I'm just wondering which survey to get - a structural one or a home buyers report?

Alter_ego

You could start looking yourself - Any cracks in brickwork? Any odd looking repairs? Fresh pointing? Do all windows and doors open and close easily? etc? etc?

davidmcn

Just get a home buyers report. You don't get structural engineers in unless you think there's actually a structural problem.

I don't really see the point of the ground stability searches, unless you're planning on building something (and even then, you'd make more specific investigations) - either an existing property has suffered movement or it hasn't.

ncfcfan

Alter_ego wrote: »

You could start looking yourself - Any cracks in brickwork? Any odd looking repairs? Fresh pointing? Do all windows and doors open and close easily? etc? etc?

Funnily enough, the master bedroom window is out of place and doesn't close properly. The house was built in the 80's so assumed this might be general wear and tear. Would you say that indicates movement?

bouicca21

You will get the same result for practically every house in Greater London and beyond. They are not all falling down.

ncfcfan

davidmcn wrote: »

Just get a home buyers report. You don't get structural engineers in unless you think there's actually a structural problem.

I don't really see the point of the ground stability searches, unless you're planning on building something (and even then, you'd make more specific investigations) - either an existing property has suffered movement or it hasn't.

Well the search suggests there could be a structural problem, caused by ground instability. But would a home buyers report be sufficient for this?

davidmcn

ncfcfan wrote: »

Well the search suggests there could be a structural problem, caused by ground instability.

No, it doesn't. What it tells you is that generally the ground in that area is of moderate stability. It doesn't imply anything about whether buildings on that ground will have any structural problems. Like I said, a homebuyers report will give you sufficient reassurance of whether the property has actually suffered any problems (though if it tells you that it has, you might then want a structural engineer to give you further information about it).