Using an EA's surveyor

boldaslove

Hi!

My partner and I are FTBs who've had an offer accepted. We're now in the process of booking a surveyor and are gathering quotes. The Estate Agents we are buying the house through have told us about their surveyors who don't charge a fee if the sale falls though. When comparing the quote with others I've gathered they seem very reasonable. Are there any drawbacks to using them? The EA isn't allowed to refer us, so there's no commission involved as far as I can tell? My partner is a little concerned that they might not be honest about the survey/valuation if they're part of the Estate Agency.

Any thoughts or advice? Many thanks in advance!

davidmcn

boldaslove said:

My partner is a little concerned that they might not be honest about the survey/valuation if they're part of the Estate Agency.

Do you think the surveyor who gets a bunch of business from the EA might think twice about saying anything which will deter you from buying the property? Find your own surveyor. They shouldn't have a vested interest in a sale going through.

eddddy

boldaslove said:

The Estate Agents we are buying the house through have told us about their surveyors who don't charge a fee if the sale falls though. 

That's unusual. Are they 'proper' surveyors - for example, is the firm RICS accredited and/or is the actual surveyor chartered (a member of RICS)?

In theory, anyone can set up a business that offers home surveys, without necessarily having any appropriate skills or experience.

steve866

The no sale no fee thing sounds like a massive conflict for a Surveyor to have. 

hazyjo

Do you mean solicitor/ conveyancer?

snowcat75

eddddy said:

boldaslove said:

The Estate Agents we are buying the house through have told us about their surveyors who don't charge a fee if the sale falls though. 

That's unusual. Are they 'proper' surveyors - for example, is the firm RICS accredited and/or is the actual surveyor chartered (a member of RICS)?

In theory, anyone can set up a business that offers home surveys, without necessarily having any appropriate skills or experience.

However in realty RICS registered or not which is after all only a paid trade scheme a non invasive survey is pretty flawed anyhow, until they have developed X ray vision 60% of what important on a building is completely buried.

ALL survey's need taking with a large pinch of salt. 

kinger101

It's best not to use anyone an estate agent recommends.  High probability they're doing it to serve their own interests.

boldaslove

Thanks everyone, that really confirms my partner's suspicions in that they'd potentially not have our interests at heart. We've instructed our own surveyor instead.

Just to answer - yes the EA's surveyors are RICS members according to their website and no I don't mean a Solicitor, we've already instructed one    the no sale no fee thing did sound weird to me which is why I wanted to ask for further opinions - I wonder if the EA got that muddled as they sounded quite stressed when we spoke to them. Working from home can be rough!