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HomeBuyer Survey Recommends Sub-floor Timber Survey

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  • lees80
    lees80 Posts: 160 Forumite
    100 Posts First Anniversary
    Ben1989 wrote: »
    I'm not sure I am. It will only be a complete non-experienced visual inspection.

    If you get the carpet back and a few boards up, it'll be fairly easy to spot the degree of damage (if any) to the joists / joist ends etc. We had a similar report back on the house we bought, springy floor in hallway and front room etc. Turns out someone had put in shims under the joist ends years ago and some had worked loose. New shims solid as a rock floors and no bounce. No rot either.

    Nice house BTW - nice area too :beer:
  • Ben1989
    Ben1989 Posts: 470 Forumite
    Fourth Anniversary 100 Posts Name Dropper
    I just spoke to one specialist and he quoted £240 without pulling the boards up. I asked him how he does it and he said he looks and feels for any un-flatness and damp in the walls in the joist area through experience. Or, £480 to pull floorboards up
  • lees80
    lees80 Posts: 160 Forumite
    100 Posts First Anniversary
    Ben1989 wrote: »
    I just spoke to one specialist and he quoted £240 without pulling the boards up. I asked him how he does it and he said he looks and feels for any un-flatness and damp in the walls in the joist area through experience. Or, £480 to pull floorboards up

    You could approach the EA and ask for a reduction based on the work being needed - they might agree, might tell you to sod off or might ask you to meet in the middle. I'd be asking that question before I paid out for anything else so at least you know where you stand (no pun intended :rotfl:)
  • Ben1989
    Ben1989 Posts: 470 Forumite
    Fourth Anniversary 100 Posts Name Dropper
    lees80 wrote: »
    You could approach the EA and ask for a reduction based on the work being needed - they might agree, might tell you to sod off or might ask you to meet in the middle. I'd be asking that question before I paid out for anything else so at least you know where you stand (no pun intended :rotfl:)

    Yes I am in the process of getting quotes to put everything out to the EA. It's a probate sale so I imagine they want a quick sale so any risk of us pulling out might incentivise them to pay or offer for us to meet half way (which we're happy with). This is on the inspection, not the work that might appear afterwards.
  • lees80
    lees80 Posts: 160 Forumite
    100 Posts First Anniversary
    It's at a price point that seems realistic even with some of the remedial works being needed - solid houses if they're looked after and yours looks like one that doesn't appear to have been neglected. Certainly in better condition than ours was when we bought it! :D

    To echo what others have said, be cautious of damp 'specialists'. At the request of the lender I had one check our house over. They went on to quote for the damp course repairs and cavity wall treatments that would be needed etc. The house is 1920's and solid brick construction. Needless to say, he didn't get a call back to carry out any work.
  • Ben1989
    Ben1989 Posts: 470 Forumite
    Fourth Anniversary 100 Posts Name Dropper
    I've spoken to an independent local guy. He actually did a structural review for the EA. I managed to convince the EA to give me his details as he replaced two window lintels in the property. He said he never noticed any issues with the floors. He also said he will go round and check for me, for free. This obviously won't be a invasive inspection but just a feel for bounce and bounce locations etc.

    He doesn't seem to be in cahoots with the EA but you never know. He commented he's never had a floor issue on the houses in my street.
  • FreeBear
    FreeBear Posts: 18,230 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 13 November 2019 at 2:51PM
    Ben1989 wrote: »
    I just spoke to one specialist and he quoted £240 without pulling the boards up. I asked him how he does it and he said he looks and feels for any un-flatness and damp in the walls in the joist area through experience. Or, £480 to pull floorboards up

    Find yourself a builder or carpenter that does suspended timber floors - If they are permitted to lift floorboards, they can quickly give you an opinion and an estimate of the cost of repair. You may well find it costs less than someone jumping up and down on the floor and sucking air through their teeth (unless he really is experienced and an expert in the field).

    One issue to bear in mind - The floorboards on the ground floor are quite possibly tongue & groove fit. In which case, they need to be carefully cut (with a multitool) before lifting. You may well find boards already cut that had been lifted when the wiring & heating was done. These may be visible through the carpet (if there isn't any underlay).
    Her courage will change the world.

    Treasure the moments that you have. Savour them for as long as you can for they will never come back again.
  • Ben1989
    Ben1989 Posts: 470 Forumite
    Fourth Anniversary 100 Posts Name Dropper
    I have reached out to the EA to ask for their permission to lift the floor boards.
  • Ben1989
    Ben1989 Posts: 470 Forumite
    Fourth Anniversary 100 Posts Name Dropper
    Also, how do you ask if the vendor will pay as best as you can by email? :cool2:
  • lees80
    lees80 Posts: 160 Forumite
    100 Posts First Anniversary
    Ben1989 wrote: »
    I have reached out to the EA to ask for their permission to lift the floor boards.

    Good luck and hope it's an easy fix. You'll be up to your naffs in wallpaper stripping and paint before you know it :)
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