Should I get a homebuyer survey?

gabby71

Hi
It is likely I will be buying the house I am currently renting. Just prior to lockdown, my landlord was going to arrange a valuation, as we are in Wales, lockdown restrictions mean estate agents/surveyors are unable to attend at present.
I have been given a desktop valuation by a local estate agent of £130,000 - £140,000 but this was without them even seeing any images.
i know it’s wise for me to get my own valuation done but not sure an estate agent is the most accurate way?
I understand I need a homebuyers survey the mortgage application anyway so thinking I can kill two birds with one stone!
Could anyone tell me the approximate cost of the survey and the type of things they check? I had a leak in the roof a few months ago that landlord had fixed, just a bit wary of how well it was repaired etc! Also do they look for damp etc as there are a couple of walls that have a few marks that I have been told are salt marks from previous leaks! Can I point out any areas of concern for the surveyors professional opinion?

many thanks

staffie1

I recently paid about £400 for a homebuyers survey (surveyor appointed by my mortgage company - although it was my choice what level of survey I had done (most basic valuation, homebuyers, or building survey). 

It depends on the age and condition of the house you’re buying. In my view, if the house was say more than 80 yrs old, I would probably go for a building survey (cost £1000 +), but anything up to that age a HB survey should suffice, but as I say you have to make a judgment.

I was pretty satisfied with my survey, but it’s only really a visual check. I think a lot depends on the quality of the surveyor. The report I got for the house I was buying seemed pretty thorough to me, and I got a lot of info from it, but the guy who came to do the same survey on the house I was selling, seemed to just have a quick look round. He was there no more than an hour.
https://www.rics.org/uk/upholding-professional-standards/sector-standards/building-surveying/home-surveys/
Hope this helps.

gabby71

staffie1 said:

I recently paid about £400 for a homebuyers survey (surveyor appointed by my mortgage company - although it was my choice what level of survey I had done (most basic valuation, homebuyers, or building survey). 

It depends on the age and condition of the house you’re buying. In my view, if the house was say more than 80 yrs old, I would probably go for a building survey (cost £1000 +), but anything up to that age a HB survey should suffice, but as I say you have to make a judgment.

I was pretty satisfied with my survey, but it’s only really a visual check. I think a lot depends on the quality of the surveyor. The report I got for the house I was buying seemed pretty thorough to me, and I got a lot of info from it, but the guy who came to do the same survey on the house I was selling, seemed to just have a quick look round. He was there no more than an hour.
https://www.rics.org/uk/upholding-professional-standards/sector-standards/building-surveying/home-surveys/
Hope this helps.

Thanks! I’ve had a read through the info on the link and it has given me lots of info regarding the types of surveys etc, I think a homebuyers survey plus valuation is the best option for me, thanks again for the advice 😊

staffie1

Sorry, the link I sent you wasn’t quite the right one. This link directs you to the consumer part of the rics website
https://www.ricsfirms.com/residential/moving-home/surveys/rics-consumer-guide-home-surveys/

gabby71

staffie1 said:

Sorry, the link I sent you wasn’t quite the right one. This link directs you to the consumer part of the rics website
https://www.ricsfirms.com/residential/moving-home/surveys/rics-consumer-guide-home-surveys/

I found it! All 82 pages 😂 very informative though!