Paying surveyor

goodValue

I found a company to do my house survey.

However, when they sent the paperwork it appears they want full payment six weeks before the survey.

Is it normal to pay in advance, especially so far ahead of the work?

Coopsy85

Don’t know if it’s normal but our surveyor asks that payment not be made until the date of the survey but does say that the report won’t be sent until payment is received. 

Thrugelmir

If they cannot perform the survey for 6 weeks. Find another surveyor. 

Payment in advance will be normal for one off jobs will be standard terms of trade. 

pphillips

Sounds like a Mexican standoff but seriously, no one gets paid before they do a job.

frogglet

We paid up front for our survey which took place 4 days later.
The solicitors also required up front search charges

davidmcn

Pretty commonplace to require payment before the survey. Punters often lose interest in paying afterwards. 

greatcrested

In advance - yes.

6 weeks - well if you're happy to wait that long fine, but pay in the week before it takes place.

Are you a buyer? Your seller won't be impressed waiting that long.

goodValue

Six weeks appears to be the lead time for the area I am buying in.

I wouldn't mind paying a week before the survey, or paying a deposit now, but the whole amount

so far ahead of the work doesn't seem reasonable to me.

TheProfessional

We paid after the survey but I think they wouldn't have released it without us transferring the fee

Chop-D

We had to pay for our survey once the date had been booked in

wedge69

Surveyors in our area were also booked up for six weeks. I paid the full amount the week before the survey was due.