Buying from a local builder - want to check I've not missed anything

NatWestCustomer

Hi all,
My wife and I have the opportunity to acquire a property in a spot we are very keen on.
The house is a renovation of a property that was on the plot before the build job.
It is about 2 months away from being completed - i.e. the shell is completed but the finishing has yet to start.
As it is a one off property there is not current a formal specification list like one would get from, say, Taylor Wimpey.
They have said that they are conscious that they need to pull that list together.
My concern is that i dont want to miss anything when they put together what the believe the specification to be either: (a) in terms of how things should be described; and/or (b) items of specification are missing. 
One way i have thought to try and avoid tripping up on (a) and (b) are to pay someone to look at the specification put together by the builder, visit the property and then get them to make any additions they think are missing/changes to the builder's specification list. 
Basically, getting an expert to review the specification, as it seems to me that i will not know what i have missed until it is too late and we have agreed to buy the house based on the builder's spec.
Does anyone have any ideas on who might be provide such a service? Another builder doesnt seem that likely to be that interested on the basis that it is not exactly core business for them. 
Would also welcome any advice on buying a house that has been renovated rather than constituting a re-build and therefore a new house (which would come with an NHBC guarantee for example).
Many thanks indeed!
Best regards
An amateur at spec sheets...

eddddy

NatWestCustomer said:

Basically, getting an expert to review the specification, as it seems to me that i will not know what i have missed until it is too late and we have agreed to buy the house based on the builder's spec.
Does anyone have any ideas on who might be provide such a service? Another builder doesnt seem that likely to be that interested on the basis that it is not exactly core business for them. 

The best person to instruct would be an RICS accredited Building Surveyor.

 Some mortgage lenders seem to require a 10 year warranty for an extensively renovated property. For example, bearing in mind your username, Natwest seem to be saying they need a warranty:

The following 10 year Structural Warranties are acceptable for New Builds/Self Builds/Renovations (including properties that were built or renovated within the last 10 years)...

Link: https://www.cml.org.uk/lenders-handbook/englandandwales/question-list/1913/

AdrianC

Surely it makes more sense to give the builder YOUR desired spec list...?

I mean, you know what you want in the kitchen and bathroom, where you want lighting/sockets, what you want in the way of comms wiring and home tech...

thearchitect

Firstly, your mortgage lender will require either a suitable warrant system or an architect's CML inspection certificate.  I would advise you to seek the former.

Secondly you should satisfy yourself that it is built properly and, like Eddy, I recommend a suitably detailed condition survey.  This could be done by a chartered surveyor (i.e. RICS) or an experienced architect (i.e. ARB/RIBA/RIAS as appropriate).  The former is likely to be easier to find.

As for specification, I assume that you mean fixtures and fittings rather than the structure or fabric or the house.  This is something which you can discuss and record with the builder as a condition of contract/sale in the normal manner.