Do we bother with a survey?

120624

Hi all,

We’re going through the process of buying a 5 year old property which has 5 years warranty remaining and we’re wondering if we need to get a survey or not? Wondering if anyone has/hasn’t in a similar situation or would recommend we do.

Thanks 

AdrianC

I'd rather not buy a house with problems in the first place, than buy it then have to fight the warranty to sort them.

You may, of course, vary.

Irishpearce26

Personally I wouldn't bother with a survey unless the house was around 40-50 years old. I have bought two house circa 25-30 years old and not had a survey done and haven't had any issues.

When we sold our house the buyer had a homebuyer survey carried out, he was here 45 minutes. He said that the conservatory roof was unstable as it didn't have a internal brace, the buyer wanted me to rectify it but I said you would need to get a structural expert in first. They did, the expert said that the type of roof did not require a brace and the notes the surveyor had added were incorrect and misleading.

For a house that is 5 years old it would be a waste of £200-500, however its your decision and whatever you feel will put you at ease. If you do decide to have a survey take the recommendations with a pinch of salt they are usually advisory and not immediate.

macman

Are you cash buyers? If not, your lender will want a mortgage survey.

AdrianC

macman said:

Are you cash buyers? If not, your lender will want a mortgage survey.

...which will likely not even open the front door of the property.

Alter_ego

Don't bother with a survey, but examine the house carefully yourself.

AnotherJoe

My last 3 purchases*, no survey. Newish houses.

My daughter had a survey on her purchase (15 years old terrace) a few months back.

Theres a been a stream of minor but irritating faults - leaking boiler, radiator, faulty electric sockets blah blah which were all missed (sure the electric one wouldnt anyway)

They would have been better off to spend the few hundred quid on fixing these faults, had it been a older property, different situation.

Talking of which, my new house had a slightly leaking tap (under the sink as well as dripping from the tap itself which had started to affect some of the back of a  cupboard which was discovered when i had the tap replaced. So, the money i didnt spend on a survey was better spent on that.

* one my mums, it was a flat

Irishpearce26

AnotherJoe said:

My last 3 purchases*, no survey. Newish houses.

My daughter had a survey on her purchase (15 years old terrace) a few months back.

Theres a been a stream of minor but irritating faults - leaking boiler, radiator, faulty electric sockets blah blah which were all missed (sure the electric one wouldnt anyway)

They would have been better off to spend the few hundred quid on fixing these faults, had it been a older property, different situation.

Talking of which, my new house had a slightly leaking tap (under the sink as well as dripping from the tap itself which had started to affect some of the back of a  cupboard which was discovered when i had the tap replaced. So, the money i didnt spend on a survey was better spent on that.

* one my mums, it was a flat

Agree.

Pretty much everything you have listed wont be checked by a homebuyers survey. A homebuyers survey is the equivalent of going to buy a car and kicking the tyres and saying it needs work done. 

Orchid12

I bought a 8 year old house 5 years ago with no survey as the house wasn’t that old. 

mjane93

We’re in the process of buying a 1920 terraced house and have gone against paying for a survey. I know I know crazy. We were quoted 575 for a homebuyers survey which made my OH choke on his dinner. OH and his dad are experienced builders/ roofers who were able to go in today and do a thorough inspection - our seller has been very accommodating and had no problem letting 3 builders in for inspection. 

Luckily nothing major was detected, now just hoping mortgage valuation booked for tomorrow goes ok 🤞🏽

Falafels

AnotherJoe said:

My daughter had a survey on her purchase (15 years old terrace) a few months back.

Theres a been a stream of minor but irritating faults - leaking boiler, radiator, faulty electric sockets blah blah which were all missed (sure the electric one wouldnt anyway)

They would have been better off to spend the few hundred quid on fixing these faults, had it been a older property, different situation.

The surveys are concerned with the condition of the building(s), not the plumbing and electricity supply; they recommend independent surveyors for electrics as they aren't qualified to carry them out. It wasn't a question of the faults you listed being missed by the surveyor, but that they weren't inspected by the appropriate professionals. For example, a boiler leak would have been picked up when it was serviced by the central heating engineer.

On the other hand, a chartered surveyor will be able to spot structural problems which are far more expensive and difficult to fix than the 'minor but irritating faults' you mention.