To survey or not to survey?

Poor_Leno

Hey guys,
I am in the process of purchasing a property, a 2 bed first floor (top floor) flat.  Its leasehold.  There's a small maintenance fee of which covers the buildings insurance.  
My solicitor has recommended that even though the property is a flat that I should consider getting a homebuyers survey done.  
I don't mind going ahead with that, but should I take that advice?  The lender already completed its own survey - which as far as i'm aware all they do is go on rightmove and see if the property value is in line with other similar properties in the area, or at best drive past the property and don't at all visit it as such - and the point i'm at now is that paperwork is already being tossed between solicitors (memorandum of sale and such).  I guess I need to get this done soon-ish if I want a survey done, but will the homebuyers report itself be ok enough?  Will they go as far as sticking a torch up the garage roof for a leak / damage?  Basically is the £300 to get it done serving me a purpose other than telling me stuff I already know like....the boiler needs replacing...or the kitchen needs updating...or needs a modernised fuse box.

davidmcn

Read a sample homebuyer's report to get an idea of what it covers and how much you're comfortable you can figure out for yourself. You are bearing in mind that the condition of the common parts of the block is of interest to you too i.e. you'll be liable for a share of the costs of fixing the roof etc?

NewShadow

This is an example of a full structural survey: http://www.mallard-properties.co.uk/pdfs/building-surveying-example.pdf 

I had a good look though and I'm about 90% decided I'm not going to get one given the limitations.

I know I'm going to have to have someone in to check the chimney linings, and I know I want a plumber and sparky in to move some radiators and put in some new sockets... so given the limited roof access and work I know I want to do anyway, I'm leaning towards saving the £500 the report will cost to get professionals in when we can lift boards and take plaster off if needed. 

But I think it's a decision everyone needs to make for themselves - if there were cracks in the render, or I could see damage to the roof, or if I had specific concerns about a different part of the house I'm buying, I'd definitely be getting one. 

Mutton_Geoff

Poor_Leno said:

Basically is the £300 to get it done serving me a purpose other than telling me stuff I already know like....the boiler needs replacing...or the kitchen needs updating...or needs a modernised fuse box.

Do you know how to tell the difference between damp caused by lack of ventilation vs damp caused by a leak? Could you see whether a place had been rewired since it was built? Can you identify blown double glazing units? Would you know where to look to see if there is any degrading to pointing or flashing around the external part of the property? Can you tell what a floor is made of by just walking on it? Can you tell how deep the insulation is in the loft by just looking at it?

Simple things that if you have the experience, maybe you don't need a survey but the opinion of a professional who walks in and out of properties all day long may be valuable in your decision making process and also help as a lever to negotiate the final price with the vendor.

SuperHan

Mutton_Geoff said:

Poor_Leno said:

Basically is the £300 to get it done serving me a purpose other than telling me stuff I already know like....the boiler needs replacing...or the kitchen needs updating...or needs a modernised fuse box.

Do you know how to tell the difference between damp caused by lack of ventilation vs damp caused by a leak? Could you see whether a place had been rewired since it was built? Can you identify blown double glazing units? Would you know where to look to see if there is any degrading to pointing or flashing around the external part of the property? Can you tell what a floor is made of by just walking on it? Can you tell how deep the insulation is in the loft by just looking at it?

And importantly, would any of those things affect your buying decision (i.e. willingness to proceed or attitude to offer price)? If no, then don't bother. If yes, you should get the survey.