Building Survey shows nearly £100k of repairs required

ciderboy2009

My neighbour has just had their 3 bed semi re-roofed for £6k by a reputable roofing company.  Their quotes ranged from £4k to £10k.

What DIY Loft work has been done and when?  If it was done ages ago then are there any obvious problems?  If not then it probably doesn't need to be done.  However, if you do replace the roof then bear in mind that modern tiles can be sustantially heavier than old ones so problems may show up after the work is done.

Personally I would the sureveyor's figures with a pinch of salt.  Get a local roofer around to quote for what needs doing (don't tell them that the surveyor has suggested a re-roof - see what they recommend).  Then get a builder to quote for the other bits once you've moved in.  None of the internal works sound particularly urgent to me - if they were then you would have spotted them on your viewing (and should have considered them when making your offer).

youth_leader

After reading your post, I revisited the dreadful buyer's email I was sent by my EA  last February, the language of negotiation still makes me shudder.  My building was a listed grade II.  I list below an extract of the 'quotes' the larger town surveyor had given the buyer,  the buyer forwarded them without any further research to his mortgage lender.   

I have no idea where the surveyor obtained such ridiculously high quotes, and would encourage you to ask your vendor to invite a recommended roofer to quote for you. 

"·       Roof repairs, comprising of:

·       Repair or renew of defective roof timbers (£5,000).

·       Withdrawal and replacement of roof coverings (£16,500)

·       Chimney repairs (£3,000)

·       Total: £24,500.

 

·       Floor repairs:

·       Repair or renew floor timbers (£15,000)

 

·       Damp proofing of the ground floor:

·       Install an effective damp proof course or tank as necessary (£10,000)

  

Chickereeeee

The cost of some of the items on the list look remarkably low to me!
E.g.

• Replace Ceiling: Take down plasterboard or lath and plaster ceiling, de-nail, prepare, Supply, cut and fix 12.5mm plasterboard, scrim joints and apply 3mm skim plaster to ceiling including additional support battens, noggins etc. to joists including all labours." £500.00

amanda_p

The roof replacement is a ridiculous price. My son has just had his roof replaced on a large 3 bed semi with new tiles. The total cost was £4700. He had a variety of ridiculous quotes but went with the contractor that had done a lot of work in his road and was well known locally.

manitravels

amanda_p said:

The roof replacement is a ridiculous price. My son has just had his roof replaced on a large 3 bed semi with new tiles. The total cost was £4700. He had a variety of ridiculous quotes but went with the contractor that had done a lot of work in his road and was well known locally.

Any chance I could get the name of the roofer they used? If they operate in South London that is. 

FreeBear

youth_leader said:  My building was a listed grade II.  I list below an extract of the 'quotes' the larger town surveyor had given the buyer,  the buyer forwarded them without any further research to his mortgage lender.  

·       Damp proofing of the ground floor:

·       Install an effective damp proof course or tank as necessary (£10,000)

Hopefully, the local conservation officer would have kicked those two down the road when the Listed Building Consent application is made. Wonder if the surveyor (or anyone else) pointed out that much of the work would be subject to LBC, and without it, the prospective owner & contractors would be committing a criminal offence...

Crashy_Time

As expected OP you are being encouraged to buy, and not try to reduce too much, but I think the red flag has already been raised for you on this one?

youth_leader

@FreeBear,  I haven't moved far and have to drive past my lovely old house to go to the supermarket.   A year later I can only see mass destruction - and burning? - of all the very old trees.  My poor birds.  

poolboy

Roof repair at 30k is too much unless all the beams need replacing.  I am paying 9k for big detached bungalow, still needs scaffolding.  New membrane, new concrete tiles and new channels for 2 extensions.  Quotes came in at 8-10k incl vat. 

lookstraightahead

I bet you could knock the whole thing down and build it again for that 🤣