How do I obtain a quote for repairs before purchasing?

_cbc

We are buying a 1930s bungalow and our surveyor has advised that there seems to have been a small extension to the kitchen and lounge at the rear and the roof above this area is undulating. He has advised getting a structural engineer or a builder to have a look and advise the cost for making this good — most likely by installing an RSJ.

How do we do this logistically? Do we ask the builder to liaise with the agent and come back to us? Should we meet him on site? If so what about the current owners?

badger09

_cbc said:

We are buying a 1930s bungalow and our surveyor has advised that there seems to have been a small extension to the kitchen and lounge at the rear and the roof above this area is undulating. He has advised getting a structural engineer or a builder to have a look and advise the cost for making this good — most likely by installing an RSJ.

How do we do this logistically? Do we ask the builder to liaise with the agent and come back to us? Should we meet him on site? If so what about the current owners?

The current owners will need to give their permission for either a builder or structural engineer to visit. This should be obtained through the EA and shouldn't be a problem if you explain the reason. If they refuse, it would raise a warning flag to me.

Unless you know a friendly builder, or are prepared to pay for their time, you're unlikely to find one who will view and quote for a job on a property you don't even own yet. You might be able to get a 'ball park' figure without builder visiting, if you can show photos. 

canaldumidi

Few contractors will give free estimates or quotes to buyers. Once you own, yes, as tey then have a good chance of getting the job, but for now they know you may not even end up buying the property, let alone give them the job.

But a decent builder will visit/give a quote if a) they have time and b) you pay them.

A Structural Engineer will provide a report on the work needed, and should provide a ball-park cost. His cost is likely to be around £200-£400?

The other option is to ring your surveyor and ask - he might give an idea of cost verbally even if he's unwilling to put it in writing in his survey report.

FreeBear

canaldumidi said: A Structural Engineer will provide a report on the work needed, and should provide a ball-park cost. His cost is likely to be around £200-£400?

That is assuming the SE (or builder) doesn't need to do any invasive investigations. It may be the cause is obvious to an expert eye.

youth_leader

I'm glad your surveyor saw this and you can investigate thoroughly prior to purchase.

I bought my 1930s bungalow with a 'newly replaced' resin flat roof over the lounge/kitchen extension in March.  On Friday 26 November Storm Arwen blew it off.  The roofer had only nailed the boards onto the old ones, it wasn't screwed down to the joists.  A month later I'm still emptying buckets by candlelight.  

SiliconChip

Bear in mind that it's likely to take several months (at least) to get a builder to actually do the work, so you'll have to live with the issue until that happens. Are you planning to renegotiate the sale price downwards to take into account the cost of the work? If you are then you'll obviously need to find some way of getting an estimate, but if not maybe it'll be simpler to just wait until you move in and have full control over access and possibly intrusive investigations.

_cbc

SiliconChip said:

Bear in mind that it's likely to take several months (at least) to get a builder to actually do the work, so you'll have to live with the issue until that happens. Are you planning to renegotiate the sale price downwards to take into account the cost of the work? If you are then you'll obviously need to find some way of getting an estimate, but if not maybe it'll be simpler to just wait until you move in and have full control over access and possibly intrusive investigations.

Seeing as the issue has been present for at least 16 years that I can prove (using photos online) and probably closer to 50 years as estimated by the surveyor I'm not too worried in the short term. I'm beginning to think that we will just move in and deal with it in time.