Verbal House Survey

lucasharrison

Hi all

I'm in the process of buying a house. Previously, I've had a full building survey and found it limited value compared with the cost. Full of referrals to specialists, and there didn't seem to be much of an understanding of how old houses work. My feeling is that the threat of litigation means they tend to cover themselves.

I was considering for this house (Victorian red brick) to try and have a walk round with a surveyor, so they can give an honest opinion without committing anything to writing.

Bad idea?

Thanks

thearchitect

It's all about finding the right surveyor (or architect)

theartfullodger

Not worth the paper it's written on.  But yes, if any surveyor is willing, nothing lost.  Let us know what they'd charge for it.

thearchitect

I would suggest that the surveyor would have to follow it up with a written report or his PI insurers might be unhappy.

davidmcn

If nothing is in writing all it would do is increase the scope for argument about what advice they gave you, it doesn't reduce their risk. I wouldn't expect a surveyor to agree to this (and they probably won't be keen on you tailing them around the property anyway).

AdrianC

Find a heritage-aware surveyor - or even just a heritage-aware builder... A builder may well be less tight-laced about the caveats and backside-covering.