Should we have our own survey carried out?

twiglet1984

Hi everyone, we are in the process of buying a 1920’s med terraced house.  The house was previously SSTC 2 months ago but apparently the sale fell through because the previous buyers were not happy with the results of their survey.  Specifically, the surveyed noted that the external render on the house needs replacing and the previous buyers had obtained quotes of around £6500 to do the work.  We were aware of this when we went to view the house and we put our offer in accordingly.  

The previous buyers have very kindly let us have a copy of their survey for free.  The rendering issue is a rated as an urgent number 3 problem but all other issues in the survey seem relatively minor, such as signs of condensation on the bathroom and kitchen windows.  Upstairs window handles/locks are flimsy and should be replaced.  The survey says that there are no signs of structural movement and the roof, although old is in a good state of repair with no signs of cracks and no signs of any woodworm or rot etc. 

 I know that we will have no comeback on the surveyor as we did not commission the report ourselves but I’m in two minds about whether we should have our own survey carried out or not.  The survey we have is very detailed and seems to comment on every issue we could possibly want to know about from the major to the minor.  I don’t want to waste money commissioning another survey of our own that will tell us what we already know.  On the other hand, I know that we could risk moving into the property and then discover a major issue that we were unaware of and we will have no one to blame but ourselves.  I guess I’m just looking for opinions on what other people would do in this situation?  

Unicorn_cottage

Get a survey. Got any pics of the house? Curious to have a look at the render. We took the render of the front of our stone house ourselves.

Hasbeen

"I don’t want to waste money commissioning another survey of our own that will tell us what we already know."

Get your own survey done. What is the cost compared with what you are spending buying the property? penny's against pounds? Property purchase is the biggest outlay people spend in their lives. Do not cut corners!

If your survey confirms the lenders survey  then great, if not then you decide.

csgohan4

your not wasting your money on a survey that you own and trust. Rather than rely on a stranger giving you full/partial access which has no indemnity for you, get one if you are serious about buying the property. 

If the vendors survey didn't mention something, you have no comeback, whereas if your survey didn't mention, you have some protection

leonj

I wouldn't get another one if you already have access to the entire survey.

Davesnave

In your position, with a survey that actually states the roof and structural elements are sound, I would probably accept that, because it doesn't  appear to be a tick-box, bottom-covering job. In most other situations involving a 1920s house, I'd go with a buildings survey.

Yes, there could still be things wrong with a house of that age, so with that in mind I'd use some of the ££ saved for a drainage survey. Drains of that age may failing or about to need renewal.

AdrianC

Six and a half grand for the render sounds high - but I presume that includes scaffolding. Two or three story house? It may also have been from a "damp proof company", whereas you can DIY removal without any difficulty assuming you're OK with heights and have basic co-ordination with simple hand tools - and only need Pete the plasterer to re-render, who'll remove the old, too, if you don't want to.

blue_max_3

I would 100% NOT get a survey. What do you think you would be covered for? eg no signs of structural movement. That is a statement of fact. Unless there proves to have been signs, the surveyor wouldn't be liable if the house fell down.
You have the luxury of a report. On a 100 year old property, I'd be very happy to proceed myself.
Ultimately, you have to do what you are comfortable with. You can see there are mixed opinions.