To survey or not to survey?

RaulSim

I am in the process of buying my first flat; a new build property and I am wondering whether I should pay for a survey or not, considering the following:
- The property is new, but the building which was used has existed for a long time, but it's been redone. But the outside looks virtually the same.
- The costs involved with this process are mounting, so it would be good if I didn't have to, but I am happy to bear this as it could save a lot in the long run
- When I viewed the property my untrained eye didn't spot anything unusual, just small things such as marks on the floor from viewings etc. It makes me thing could I just get a snagging list and do it myself? (My only fear is that anything brought forward to the builder won't be taken seriously if I have compiled it myself).
Any help would be appreciated

davidmcn

RaulSim said:

I am in the process of buying my first house; a new build property and I am wondering whether I should pay for a survey or not, considering the following:
- The property is new, but the building which was used has existed for a long time, but it's been redone. 

So it's not a new build property...can you expand on what you mean by "redone"? A survey is more to tell you about significant problems with the structure etc, not to tell you there's a fresh coat of paint and some new taps.

theartfullodger

Survey.

Do you bother to, say, insure your car?

Hoof_Hearted

Was it built by Persimmon?

RaulSim

@davidmcn
From what I notice myself from looking at the old building and comparing to the new, the windows, doors, roof and chimneys are all different. Obviously, the inside has completely changed.
But this is from my observations, the builder hasn't necessarily told us whats new. Btw it's a block of flats.

Alter_ego

RaulSim said:

 Btw it's a block of flats.

So you're not buying a house? It's not a new build either?

RaulSim

@Alter_ego
I am buying one flat within the block. So a new build flat* - apologies

AdrianC

A newly converted flat.

Simple question: Do you trust the builders who've done the conversion?
If so, don't bother with a survey.
If not, don't buy the flat.

A survey on a flat can't cover the rest of the building, which is outside the lease for your flat. Maintenance of all that comes back to you by service charges, but you can't do anything about what is or isn't done.

AClark2

I have always had building surveys. Six so far. All have been a waste of money. None of them told us anything we hadn't already figured out. On two occasions significant things were missed. You can go back to the surveyors but getting any compensation out of them.is almost impossible.

Having said that, if you suspect something need replacing then it's the only way to ultimately prove that to get money off. It might give you peace of mind if something is worrying you though.

dimbo61

Are you buying with Cash ?
I think if your getting a mortgage the lender will require a survey of the flat.
Is it on rightmovve ? Any photos ?
Flats and cladding, fire safety, 
Doing a refurbishment of an old building does not require the same insulation standards as a new build

rainbow_fountains

RaulSim I don’t think you understand what new build means. New build means brand new, as in there was grass and trees and sky there before, and now a builder has built a building there from nothing. That’s what new build is.

What you’re describing is a newly renovated property. Absolutely get a survey done, the flat might be new but the building isn’t.

And even if it was a new build I’d still get a survey done, new builds are notoriously filled with problems and shoddy craftsmanship, always get a professional to inspect the property and find any mistakes.

Surveys also look at the surrounding area too, they search for stuff like sewage drainage, contaminated land risk, flood risk, etc. 

Skipping out on a survey is like skipping out on servicing your car, a bad idea. Surveys aren’t that expensive, just get a home buyers report done.