homebuyers survey

shoeswith

Hi 

I have made an offer on a  probate 3 bed semi thats is in poor cosmetic condition (paint, carpet and wallpaper) but has evidence of having work completed when needed. I am thinking a survey might be prudent. I am thinking of getting a level 2 homewbuyers survey. I have asked a few surveyors to quote. Most tried to push me to go for a full structural survey and priced it only 200 or so pounds more than the homebuyers. Is there a reason surveyors dont want to do Homebuyers surveys? Is it purely about the money? Is there something worng with the survey itself? I looked at sample surveys and they seem easy to understand and quite clear and not lacking in detail. Thanks    

youth_leader

I was a cash buyer, and did have a full structural - but as surveyors are unable to pull up fitted carpets I'm not sure about surveys any more.   It is caveat emptor.

I had curtains made and as the fitter walked into the bay the floorboards cracked and when I pulled the carpet up at his insistence, the floor was rotten.  Nine months after moving in I have been told I have wet rot, dry rot, as well as beetles in the front bedroom, as well as excessive mould on the weyroc in the front and back bedroom.  I've had a £5K plus VAT quote to fix two of the three rooms.  Laughable that I told the owner she was welcome to stay if she wanted to visit her friends here!

Scotbot

I am with youthleader. I had an electrical survey done, was told of some problens and quoted 1.2k to fix. Ended up being full rewire at 4k, it wasn't till they got in properly that they realised the extent of the problem. Get a level 2 done and whatever comes back double the estimated repair cost. Some will cost more some less. The survey indicates potential issues but  that is about it.

canaldumidi

Scotbot said:

 The survey indicates potential issues but  that is about it.

No a survey tells you far more than that. It seems a common misaprehension on this board that the only two reasons for a survey are to either point out reasons to re-negotiate the price, or walk away (if a serious structural issue is found).

But a survey is giving you detailed information about your proposed new home: how it is constructed; what state of repair it is in (and in a full survey down to tiny details); what maintenance will be required, whether short, medium or long term.

I bought a 150 year old property and had a full survey. Yes there were a couple of issues I could have raised, and haggled with the sellers over, but it wasn't worth it.

What was worth it was the survey. It gave me 3 very useful 'to do' lists, of jobs big and small, for immediate/short term attention, action in the coming 6-9 months, and jobs reqired over the next year or two.

Being new to older properties (though not a FTB) it was really helpful. Some of the points (over 100 if I remember rightly!) seemed pretty optional/personal (kitchen needs updating - which took me 5 years), while others were minor but important (bathroom ventilator needs venting to the outside - it vented through the ceiling into the attic and I'd never have realised it was an issue. Odd job man £30 with some other work in the first 2 months).

As a FTB, you'll learn exactly what you are getting for your £X00,000, and how to look after/improve it.