Full structural survey, feel like they did nothing.

AdrianC

PasturesNew wrote: »

But you have to play the game and have it ...

No, you don't.

You may have a lender, in which case they'll want a valuation. But you do not HAVE to have anything more than that.

If you want to pay a builder to look and give you an informal report, fill your boots.

babyblade41

I'm afraid I never bother with them, after buying and selling many houses I know all the tricks as I've done some myself !!

If a house I'm going to buy is not a refurb then take a torch and read up on likely problems to look for . Sometimes discreetly if owner is with you shine a torch behind units if possible just for damp spots , pop your head up in the loft etc.

My present purchase didn't need all that as it had been empty for a long time and you could see quite plainly what was wrong

thearchitect

It's all a case of horses for courses.


If you're buying fairly modern (i.e. post 1970 or thereby) houses of traditional construction, with no evidence of problems such as structural movement, then the expense of a full survey may not be warranted.


On the other hand if you're buying a Victorian villa with the attendant risks of timber defects, dampness, and so on then there is an awful lot to be said about getting proper professional advice.


Now there is a reason that it takes 5 years to become a surveyor, 6 for most engineers, and 7 to be an architect - and it's not just the wide syllabus. It's because some of the technical issues are complex. Experience is required.



But not all professionals are equal. My condition surveys are, I know, on a par with the firm around the corner but much, much more comprehensive than the one up the road. Likewise I know which surveyor I would use for my own property.


Some suggest that advice can be sought from builders. That depends, of course, very much on the builder. Some are good, some are mediocre, and many are of limited capability. As with the choice of professional adviser, care is required - especially for those with little experience of building fabric issues.


At the end of the day it's all about risk management.

BoGoF

Look on the bright side, you won't go hungry with all that copy pasta you now have.