Will a builder come to a viewing?

purplebutterfly

FTB here and myy only experience of house-hunting is from property programmes on tv. They often have a builder assess how much any repairs/renovations would cost prior to submitting an offer.

Can you ask a builder/plumber etc to come to a viewing and do this in real life? If so, how much should I expect to pay for their time? Or will they do the assessment for free, assuming we then use them to do the work?

We will be buying in cash, thanks to a recent inheritance and probably be buying somewhere that does need work doing to it. We can't exceed our maximum cash budget for the house - although we could get a loan afterwards for work that needed doing.

We're not talking major buildings work but I don't even know how much plastering a ceiling would be - let alone installing a downstairs toilet. We have literally no idea how much things cost :embarasse

From what I've read online, the toilet issue is all down to the soil pipe location so I assume it's only really feasible to locate it below the upstairs bathroom.

Thanks everyone
(I did use the search function prior to asking this but it returned very few useful results)

jimbo2108

It is possible however will need to work viewing timings around the builder. They will probably want some assurances before hand if its a free valuation, otherwise they will probably charge an hours rate? (£100 or so). it'd probably be easier if you buy a house you like then get quotes after.

davidmcn

Unless they're desperate for work they're unlikely to do it for free, given there's a high chance you'll never end up owning the property (and even if you do, they might suspect you're just going to use their quote as a lever to chip away at the price rather than actually go ahead with the work). Would seem a waste of time to invite them for a first viewing anyway.

FreeBear

purplebutterfly wrote: »

FTB here and myy only experience of house-hunting is from property programmes on tv.

Much of those programmes are scripted, and "builders" will be getting a nice little fee for their time. Always take the shows with a huge bag of salt.
If you know anyone with a good grasp of DIY, they may pick up on stuff you would miss. Failing that, a builder that comes with recommendations, but he/she will want paying for their time. But don't take a builder with you on the first viewing - You may hate the place as soon as the door is opened.

eddddy

Are you specifically looking for a property that needs repairs / renovations?

Obviously, that's adding risk, if you're an FTB with limited knowledge of properties.

And do you know of a good reliable builder who will give you an honest appraisal? Often, people would get quotes/opinions from 3 or 4 builders, before deciding to go ahead.


The more usual route is to get your offer accepted, and then get an chartered RICS surveyor to survey the property. (FWIW, to call yourself a chartered surveyor, you must have relevant qualifications and experience. You don't need any qualifications and experience to call yourself a builder.)


Edit to add...

Also, you need to consider whether you are doing work to the property...

1. So it better suits your lifestyle (and you're not worried about getting no return on the money you spend), or
2. To increase the value of the property by more than you spend

It's very difficult to achieve option 2, especially if you have limited knowledge of property, and you'll be employing a builder to do all the work.

Retired_Mortgage_Adviser

Very unlikely to do it for free.


When buying run-down properties in areas that I don't have contacts in, I have succesfully used mybuilder in the past to "hire" a relevant tradesman to accompany me to a second viewing for a fee ranging from £50-150.

kazzamunga

I recently got some really useful advice about builders in an area I don't know very well, from a surveyor who passed on some contact details. I think he was a particularly helpful surveyor, but it might be worth asking?

purplebutterfly

Thanks everyone. I realise that it's using builder's time and I completely understand if they don't want to come out. i just wasn't sure if I would be wasting my time by even asking them!

Stenwold

I did this when I bought my last house as I was looking to extend it straight away. Luckily enough he was a friend of mine so came round in his own time to give me a ball park figure. It was well worth it as there would have been a few nasty surprises which I wouldn't have budgeted for (the kitchen door needed to be moved 45cm across).


Just be mindful of how urgently the work will need doing if you're a cash buyer - a lot of mortgage companies will require you to own the property for 6 months before you can apply for a loan (assuming you'll be looking to get it secured on the house).