Is a Homebuyers Report worthwhile?

Tracet74

A HomeBuyer Report is perfect for the house, assuming in good condition.  Yes, it's a snap shot but all surveys are non-destructive meaning the surveyor can't raise carpets, removed fixed panels etc, although £720 is expensive for a property of that value.

AdrianC

aspley said:

AdrianC said:

aspley said:

The main point for me is whether or not the report is good at flagging issues that (may) need attention or, at least, being aware of. Good to know you all feel, in your own ways, it is worthwhile. Thank you.

It's as good as the surveyor - and the access he can get.

If the vendor knows there's a problem in one area, and leaves a large item of furniture in front of that area, the surveyor can't move it.

Fortunately, they have moved out. The house looks immaculate but there may be issues neither they nor I are aware of. I wondered if the report is quite thorough or only skims the surface. Would they go into the loft and check the roof etc?

They'll go into the loft if they can. They won't walk around if it's unboarded, and they won't move things.
They'll check the roof as far as it can be seen from the windows of the house, and the house's own grounds and public places (with binocs). They won't get ladders out. They won't go into next door's house or garden.

Reading some companies description, they use words like 'providing a snapshot' and little more to say how comprehensive it is.

Of course it's a "snapshot". They go there on one day, and can only tell you what they find on that one day.

There is a local firm with a very good reputation so perhaps I would be wise to use them.

It's always wisest to use a local firm with a good reputation... Doesn't even matter what the purchase is.

Definite

aspley said:

I am buying a house for circa £400k built around 1930 that appears to be in good condition. The report cost is around £720.

Have people found reports are worthwhile if the property seems to be in good condition? As I say, it appears / seems to be in good condition.

We were about to exchange on a house that looked and felt perfect a few months back and luckily paid for a homebuyers report. The report highlighted major structural issues, asbestos problems, an illegal conversion etc and saved us from buying a lemon. 

knightstyle

We are buying a house built in the 80s and are not having a survey.  I have had a good look round and there are no obvious problems.
Years ago as a FTB I had a survey and it was a waste of money!  He didn't spot a huge crack down the chimney that I could get my hand in!
Plus most surveys only look at the surface, no carpets lifted, no electrical or gas checks included so why are they so expensive?

Definite

knightstyle said:

We are buying a house built in the 80s and are not having a survey.  I have had a good look round and there are no obvious problems.
Years ago as a FTB I had a survey and it was a waste of money!  He didn't spot a huge crack down the chimney that I could get my hand in!
Plus most surveys only look at the surface, no carpets lifted, no electrical or gas checks included so why are they so expensive?

Interesting. We are also currently buying a house built in the eighties. Had a homebuyers done last week and it raised a few things that I, my builder and my architect (we are making some changes) had all missed in a number of visits to the house. Great value in my opinion 

AdrianC

We had a survey on our last place. In 15 years of living there, none of the things it flagged gave trouble. All the things that needed attention were outside the survey's report.

We didn't get a survey on this place, I trusted my own opinion. In 8 years, I've had no real surprises.
We've had no surprises on two rental purchases, either, in 7yrs of each.
My mother trusted my opinion when she was moving. In 5 years, she's had no surprises.

KJIWTIStructE

Both reports sound expensive to me, I'm a structural engineer and 450 plus VAT should cover a visual structural inspection on a house purchase as no intrusive work can be done. In my biased opinion a home buyers survey is a total waste of money, building surveyors are useless. Maybe Covid has pushed up prices, just keep in mind a structural engineer wont comment on damp, electrics etc. But if a building surveyor notices a crack they will panic and say you need a structural report. For 1930's property I would find an istructe or ice chartered engineer and offer him £450 for a visual strucural inspection and written report, all fees are negotiable so don't just be told how much it is, shop around.