Will surveyors take into account previous surveys?

LAD917

On my most recent flat sale, the surveyor asked me (the vendor) several questions - what does this pump do and where does it drain; what do you know about this pipe; when was X or Y work completed; what is the age of the boiler, etc.  I didn't see the report, but I imagine it included "as per the vendor" on the observations.  I do think asking the vendor is a more efficient approach where there's uncertainty. When I purchased the same flat, we went round in circles trying to figure out answers to some of the same questions - surveyor flagging them, then the agents getting involved, then the vendors being unclear on what we were asking, etc.

Due to covid-19, I did need to leave the property while the surveyor was there, but I let her in and returned so that I could provide access to locked meter areas. At that point, she rattled off her list of questions. After I answered them, I asked her whether she had spotted any issues (figured no harm in trying!), and she said nothing beyond normal wear and tear.  

weeg

Most surveyors will take into account a structural engineer's report, because it's a specialist professional, no matter who is paying the fee. It's not worth an SE fibbing on a report due to insurance and the IStructE / ICE professional standards (getting your membership yanked means you can't work).

As for listening to the vendor, I think most people will. I sold a house last year. One viewer asked about some cracks which had been noted in the report, but he hadn't spotted on the walk through, and chuckled when I said it was my specialist subject. Of course I then explained not only why it was my subject, but also the underlying causes of the cracking and why they were persistant but not significant.