Are buyers not doing full building surveys anymore?

littlemiss19 · 29 November 2020 at 4:15PM

Two different estate agents have told me that buyers are not bothering with full building surveys at the moment to progress sales due to unprecedented demand. Is this anyone else's experience or is this a way estate agents try to speed up proceedings? Both properties are Victorian flats/terraces.

ThriftyGinger · 29 November 2020 at 4:22PM

When you say 'full building survey', do you mean homebuyer's report or structural survey?

My estate agent seemed very surprised I wanted a homebuyer's report done on the flat I'm buying - I think it might be a 'hustling things along' tactic, tbh.

Tiglet2 · 29 November 2020 at 4:25PM

First of all, it does not speed up proceedings. Surveys are undertaken while all other legal work is being done and it makes no difference to how long the process will take, since the solicitor is only interested in the legal transfer of title, not whether the roof needs replacing. Secondly, ignore the estate agent - they are working for the seller and want their commission. Surveys can throw up some issues which might put you off, thereby the EA loses the sale.

littlemiss19 · 29 November 2020 at 4:27PM

A full structural survey.

youth_leader · 29 November 2020 at 5:28PM

The bungalow I'm buying looked in good nick, but being a cash buyer I wanted peace of mind and paid for a full structural. Lucky I did as there could be woodworm in the loft, and something to do with the ties in the bay window. Only minor so still proceeding, but I want to keep on top of all structural issues. I approached my RCIS surveyor on the Thursday, he was able to do the survey the following Tuesday, and I got feedback by email the next day.

Thrugelmir · 29 November 2020 at 5:39PM

littlemiss19 said:

A full structural survey.

That depends on the property being purchased. I'd never not have one done. In the past saved has us from a very expensive mistake. Visual appearance can be deceptive.

Unicorn_cottage · 29 November 2020 at 6:05PM

Unfortunately surveyors can blow things out of proportion. My buyer got a survey on my house basically saying it was riddled with damp. He made it sound like a hovel. Got the buyer's round and had a frank chat. All good.

hazyjo · 29 November 2020 at 8:31PM

ThriftyGinger said:

When you say 'full building survey', do you mean homebuyer's report or structural survey?

A structural survey is now known as a buildings survey.

knightstyle · 29 November 2020 at 8:47PM

When I bought my first home many years ago I had a full survey. What a waste of money that was so I have never had one since, relying on my common sense.
The survey missed big metal bands holding a crumbling chimney together and a crack in the loft I could get my whole hand in.

zonifer · 2 December 2020 at 9:21PM

We have just purchased a house and didn't get a survey 😬 we had a good look round twice wit some knowledge and figured that was pretty much all a basic survey would do..

MaryNB · 2 December 2020 at 9:33PM

I only got a homebuyers for a Victorian house a bought recently. Spoke to a few friends/colleagues who had bought similar and have more experience maintaining houses and they all got homebuyers. Also, I know me, I'm easily spooked. If there was something structural the homebuyers report noted I would have gotten a further survey but most of the reds can be sorted with more ventilation.