Regular builder instead of a surveyor

Matwilk

Has anyone ever just taken a builder round instead of instructing a RICS surveyor to do the survey when buying a property.
I'm currently buying a small bungalow.  The house is about 20 years old & has been well looked after.  I don't care about all the bells and whistles that a homebuyer survey gives and frankly have never been happy with surveys I've had in the past.  I just want an honest opinion from someone with hands on experience that the place is structurally sound.    
I do know a good builder so it wouldn't be just some random off t'interweb.
I appreciate all the caveats that a builder is not RICS registered and isn't insured for these purposes but they should know a well built place when they see it
But if anyone has done this and found it to be a good (or bad!) move then please let me know.  Also what did you pay them!?

ace33

We went round in circles trying do decide too. House was only built 5 years ago but we were parting with a life changing amount of money.

In the end we went online and used one of these surveyor comparison things to find a cheapish one and went with that. He found nothing but for a few hundred quid it gave us piece of mind. Also it would give you a reference point in the future should anything happen to the property, i.e. that issue wasnt known to exist when we bought the property.

Comms69

I'd expect to pay for 2 hrs of time, even if it's a 30 minute job.

But i literally see no reason to do this. 

greatcrested

Yes,many people rely on taking mate who knows what they are doing, or a friendly builder etc.

A survey gives you come-back, ultimately backed if necessary by the surveyors professional insurance.

A builder will give you a verbal opinion but no guarantees.

Much depends on your attitude to risk. And the type/age/condition of the building.

moneysavinghero

If you are paying cash and you know a good builder then yes use a builder if you wish.  "My mate the bulder had a look at it and he said it's ok" however would not be good enough for your mortgage company if you need a mortgage.

Matwilk

Thanks all!  Good advice from all perspectives.  Just what I was hoping to see.  Thanks again.

thearchitect

Personally, no.  Even though I do condition surveys as part of my work, I still had a surveyor inspect and report on my own house prior to purchase (Scotland, before Homebuyers Reports).

Slithery

Yep, done it plenty of times.