Full structural survey, feel like they did nothing.

Kazkdp

Hi Guys and Gals,

We just wanted some advice. We had a full structural survey done on a house that we are going to purchase. This is the first time we did a survey so don't really know if this is the standard.

In short :
Entire house has Floor bords fitted ( so no floors where inspected)
Said there is damp with a picture of a reader and to get a expert to check it.
Said the property has gas, get someone to check the line.
Property has electric, get some one to check.
ceiling might have asbestos, get some one to check it.
Nearly a page full of copy pasta about Japanese weed.

Had about 15 pictures in the entire report.

They didn't check the loft because it was closed. I Was not happy and they said they will go back for free and check.
Few day later this was the response on a email.
"
I have revisited the property and the following observations were noted:The roof structure is prefabricated timber and braces suspended over steel beam on the party wall. No significant defects were apparent.The underlay appears to be in a reasonable condition.The ceiling joints are covered with insulation unboarded."

No mention of boiler, asbestos and from outside I can see the house has some glass windows / small sky lights on the roof. Mention of these.
+ the house has a balcony, no mention of that!

So is this ? Is the question we have, I mean I could have gone around and made notes if this is what structural survey is..

Thank you in advance..

capital0ne

Doesn't sound like one, but have you just para-phrased it?
How long was it>
How much did it cost?
Did you agree on the content before the survey was done?

G_M

Full strucural survey?


How much was the cost?
How long was the report?


Yes, it's standard for some aspects to be outside the expertise of a surveyor (electrics, gas etc) so standard for the client to be advised to employ those experts.


But I suspect the report said more than that......

SameOldRoundabout

It doesn’t sound very thorough compared to other reports I’ve read, and what our surveyor has told us our report will contain. Not checking gas and electric is standard but they should be checking walls, floors, windows, loft space, outbuildings etc.

Is there a reason you wanted a full survey? Do you have specific concerns you outlined to the surveyor? Is the house particularly old or decrepit? If not I’d probably leave it as if you think the house is in reasonable condition and he hasn’t mentioned anything it’ll probably be fine, if annoying. If you have concerns he hasn’t covered ask them to go back.

eddddy

The main purpose of a structural survey is to look for structural problems and tell you about any they find.

If the surveyor finds no problems, and therefore has nothing to report - I guess you should be pleased, rather than annoyed.

AdrianC

Kazkdp wrote: »

In short :
Entire house has Floor bords fitted ( so no floors where inspected)

If you were the vendor, would you allow a putative buyer's solicitor to rip up the laminate flooring?

kinger101

The first "full structural report" I had contained no pictures, and missed all the blown plaster and leaky roof. That surveyor also couldn't tell the difference between a coal and gas fire.

The next had dozens of photographs and immense detail.

Sadly, there doesn't seem to be a standard that they have to follow. RICS is there to protect surveyors backsides rather than demand any level of quality in the services that their members are supposed to deliver.


It sounds like yours was not particularly detailed, but the recommendation that you get various other trades to check stuff is standard language. Really, the only reason you get one done is to spot major structural issues. If there are none reported, you should take some comfort from that.

But you should go back and check some things yourself. Are the radiators hot? Does the central heating knock? How well do the taps flow? If plastered, do the walls sound solid or hollow when knocked? Is there mould behind any furniture against external walls? Are there water stains on the ceiling?

Kazkdp

Hey guys,

Thanks sounds like I should be thankful there was nothing.
House was built in 1975 ish.
I just wanted the full survey because it's our first house and didn't want any surprises.

To be honest, I thought they will open a floor bord or drill a hole to check the structure. Else a cheaper home buyers report would have said the same?

I paid 900. Report is 30 pages.

But that includes like 15 pages of copy pasta, logo index and so on.
And the floorboards is over 3 pages, listing every room and saying floor boards fitted...

I guess I didn't know what to expect and guess this is the norm and should be happy

Kazkdp

Thanks for the advice. The tips too!!

davidmcn

AdrianC wrote: »

If you were the vendor, would you allow a putative buyer's solicitor to rip up the laminate flooring?

And this is the trouble with full surveys of occupied properties. The surveyor still isn't going to shift that sideboard to see whether it's hiding a damp patch, or fight their way through the junk in the loft, or start making holes in things if the vendor tells them not to.

PasturesNew

I think it's a corrupt service.

You pay through the nose, a fortune - and most people simply get nothing from the report that makes them read and think "Yes" or "No" - and, as it's been said, there's a lot of "check this, check that".

It's like you're buying the Emperor his new clothes. But you have to play the game and have it .... and it seems such a waste.