Survey Results

FtbEmz

Hello,

Survey received today. Property is a ground floor maisonette (one in a block of four, chain free, immediate vacant possession as owner passed away - probate all dealt with & family member living abroad selling).

No surprises with the survey but main points I wonder if anyone has an experience/advice about as I don’t know a lot about these things but will add we have some savings for these things put aside...

1. No electricity checks/cert, appears to be old, may not comply with current standards and insufficient sockets - my question is how much approx to sort/replace electrics and add more sockets throughout? (2 bedrooms, living room, kitchen & bathroom).

2. Kitchen and bathroom radiators rusted - will need to be repaired or replaced - again what kind of cost would we be looking at?

3. Drainage - Assume connected to public sewer (only lifted drain covers in front garden) inspection chamber completely blocked and appear to be roots growing into chamber - I’m in Wales, would I contact Welsh Water about this and assuming the drain is for the whole block not just our maisonette?

4. Infestation of wood boring insects in under stair area in porch - not too concerned about this but wondering if anyone knows approx cost to get this sorted? 

Thank you.

MovingForwards

1. Surveyor isn't an electrician, it's a standard clause they include in surveys. Only a brand new property will comply with today's regs, it doesn't mean anything is wrong with them. If in doubt get an electrical survey and / or an electrician in to price up.

2. Have a look on Screwfix and see how much a radiator is, watch YouTube to see how to change it and what to do next. Alternatively paint it to make it look pretty and add it to your to do list. I assume it's not leaking as you haven't said it is.

3. Your solicitor does the search as part of the conveyancing process. Edit - missed it was a 2 part question. U4S has covered the second part.

4. Get a few quotes. It will vary depending on where you are in the UK.

User4search

For drainage i will be doing drainage survey separately as its inspection chamber in front of house and pipes at side 

[Deleted User]

For a small amount of reference - we are a larger cottage 4 bed / lounge / dining room / kitchen
1) Similar electric report. For a variety of remedial actions, additional sockets added and all sockets and switches changed for chrome fittings, plus ethernet bits and bobs came to around £700 and signed off for 5 years on EIRC
2) We had 5 radiators replaced (some unusual sizes and some very large) and that was £800 ish
3) As others said, this is harder to say without survey
4) Does the survey confirm woodworm? Normally it just says 'may do'. I think it's quite often a £500 kind of job depending on area and if confirmed.

For your size of property and what you've said I would think £1000 max plus drainage survey results but it could vary a lot depending on the detail or extent of electrical repairs.

FtbEmz

Deleted_User said:

For a small amount of reference - we are a larger cottage 4 bed / lounge / dining room / kitchen
1) Similar electric report. For a variety of remedial actions, additional sockets added and all sockets and switches changed for chrome fittings, plus ethernet bits and bobs came to around £700 and signed off for 5 years on EIRC
2) We had 5 radiators replaced (some unusual sizes and some very large) and that was £800 ish
3) As others said, this is harder to say without survey
4) Does the survey confirm woodworm? Normally it just says 'may do'. I think it's quite often a £500 kind of job depending on area and if confirmed.

For your size of property and what you've said I would think £1000 max plus drainage survey results but it could vary a lot depending on the detail or extent of electrical repairs.

Thank you. That’s very good to know. The survey confirms woodworm - its above the door in the porch which we intend to replace anyway.

FreeBear

Deleted_User said: 4) Does the survey confirm woodworm? Normally it just says 'may do'.

The holes left in timber by woodworm are from when the adult beetles make their exit. The holes are an indication that there has been some woodworm in the past. Unless there is fresh frass (very fine wood dust) visible, it is just a guess that the woodworm is still active.

If there is no fresh frass, and the timber is bone dry (less than 20% moisture content), it is unlikely that there is an active infestation.