Home buyers survey report worry

Dm2987

I have received a home buyers survey on a 1950s property today. The report lists quite a few urgent repairs and some further investigation. To myself and friends/family this would seem expensive and extensive but may just be the wording. I am speaking with the surveyor Monday but stressing now.

The urgent repairs are

Servicing of the chimney and associated fabric

Overhaul the roof elevations to include thw flashing materials

Repair to areas or defective timbers and upvc fittings

The provision or further bracing and treatment of timbers in the roof space

Repair to the wall elevations including a survey of cavity wall ties

Further investigation

Investigation of the drainage system

Investigation of the materials in the roof space

Investigation of electrics, gas, chimney, water and drainage

Chimeny sweep to investigate chimney

Asbestos survey 

In the report it minor movement on thw chimney, roof and exterior abd internal walls.

Condensation in the roof space with a recommendation that the roof space is overhauled overhauled and ventilation tiles added.

Recommends that the coverings to the roof elevations are overhauled due to moisture ingress to the roof structural timbers, and further bracing timbers installed.

The plastered internal roof to the conservatory need to be inspected to ensure it has adequate ventilation.

Weathered and spalled bricks should be hacked out replaced and re pointed.

Some affected masonry was identified near windows and doors which is recommended to be realigned, secured and re pointed.

The brickwork to the conservatory is of a basic standard and the upvc sealants, trims and sills should be overhauled due to poor construction.

The external timbers are in a dated condition should be overhauled to hack out rotten and sprayed timbers.

Poor quality past repairs have been made to plastering walls, especially in the kitchen. (This was seen in viewing so known about)

The internal timbers i closing kitchen cupboards and sanitary fittings should be overhauled prior to use.

This seems like so much cost and work to me but I have read that the surveyors go into this detail to cover themselves and unsure how much is common or if I should be walking away!

Dm2987

Does anyone have any advice or ideas about this please.

teachfast

I'd say most of this is fairly standard for a 1950s property that hasn't been well maintained. Someone will be more expert on cost than me but in a similar situation I have seen an offer reduced by nearly £20k to cover.

AnotherJoe

Ignore the 'further inspection' stuff, that is the a*** covering part.

The rest of it would have me walk away though, and whilst I'm usually incredibly sceptical about home survey reports Id say this has definitely been worth the price.

There seems to be so much structural work needed at who knows what cost and hassle. Sounds more like a 1850's house not 1950's. can you afford all that work? Do you want to do all that work.

A 1950's house with wall ties? That doesn't bode well for the rest of it. And i disagree with another poster who said this sounds like a standard 1950's hosue with poor maintenance. I'd say it sounds much worse than that.  Wall ties?

Seems it was shoddily built and whilst the CYA aspect of a survey is usually just that, I wouldn't mind betting that some aspects of plumbing electrics gas are equally poor as the bits they did inspect. Do you really want to spend on reports for all those as well just to be told they all need substantial upgrading?  Presumably this is at  good price, now you know why, its because the house needs rebuilding.

Dm2987

Thank you that is my thinking. Its 119 and is a mid terrace  in the north east and the surveyor has now valued it at 115. Generally it is similarly priced to properties in the same area. I was very much convinced to walk away but will be speaking to the surveyor tomorrow but I'd read on this site that some of the surveys sound worse than they are. 

Dm2987

Spoken to the surveyor this morning and had a completely different story to the report. He has said the house is in good condition for its age and he can only see a bit of damage on a few timbers. He said the cavity walls etc are a precaution. So confused now!

davidmcn

Largely, the point of a survey is to identify every defect in the property, not to tell you it's a lovely house. Every property has some sort of defect in it, even brand new ones. And many of the items are just stuff you'd pick up in routine maintenance.

Irishpearce26

This is why I don't get homebuyer surveys as its more scaremongering than helpful. The condensation in the loft is typical in any house this time of year as everyone has their windows closed and tend to dry clothes indoors, you can fit lap vents (£30 self installation) to separate the felt to let circulation flow and also check that the insulation isn't blocking ventilation ducts. Flashing which i assume is the lead flashing to avoid water leaking into the joining of rooftiles to the house etc shouldn't cost too much to get fixed/replaced where needed. Sounds like you could ask for £5k reduction if that's what the surveyor has stated based on current state. If in doubt get a structural survey to alleviate any stress but sounds as though the house is in good condition for its age.

Dm2987

Thank you for the replies. I'm waiting to see what the sellers say about a price reduction