In the Meantime

Seasidegal58

Hope the survey went well and you've had a lovely time in Devon. 

mark55man

Looking forward to an update (in your own time obvs) and fingers crossed for you

doingitanyway

Thanks everyone 

The week away was a nice change of scenery. I enjoyed it but staying in a new place and then leaving unsettled me after the move to my friends. Too much change. I don't feel grounded. And yes, I know it is perfectly understandable given my situation.

I had my survey report on return. Will it surprise you to learn it isn't straightforward? No me neither.
I expected some issues as it is an old house. However...

So the house has several number 3s (urgent/high risk) Two of these are the boiler and drains and they may be resolved so not too concerned with those at the moment, but walls and floors also have 3s and are more serious. There appears to be a damp issue (beyond the expected) 

I need 2 specialist reports now for wall issues and damp issues.

There are number 2s that are issues but can be dealt with once in. Although the roof looks like a 2 that could easily become a 3. The house has a low energy efficiency but I'm ok with a bit of a draughty old house. I expected it.

Overall the house is described as reasonable as long as I am happy to deal with the issues and have them remedied. 

In other news, nicely settled in the new temporary home and host says I can stay as long as I need to. But from my POV I need not to stay too long.

Money wise, I've been away so not too spendy. Focused on soup and off to Mr L to seek out bargains this morning as Mr L is very close to the house.

Hope everyone is ok.

MovingForwards

Post up your 2s and 3s on the homebuying board, or do a search of the forum. As you probably know surveyors use a 'damp meter' but it's not actually designed for what they use it as. If you do get a damp surveyor out, use a proper one not one who recommends cavity wall filling etc. 

You'll settle in to the accomodation, give it time

Brie

Glad you had some nice time away while the weather was good.  (it was in Dorset so I assume Devon was too).

I hate house surveys.  They always contain such a lot of doom and gloom.  If there is real damp I assume you might have smelled it, rather than just a report of "damp may be an issue".  I think you need to balance what the worst case scenario would cost versus how soon you want to move in.  Impossible really to advise on that but as MF says the home or DIY forums may be informative.

doingitanyway

MovingForwards said:

Post up your 2s and 3s on the homebuying board, or do a search of the forum. As you probably know surveyors use a 'damp meter' but it's not actually designed for what they use it as. If you do get a damp surveyor out, use a proper one not one who recommends cavity wall filling etc. 

You'll settle in to the accomodation, give it time

Thanks MF. I am starting to settle into the new accommodation. 
The situation with damp is complicated. It looks like they have already dry lined the walls to resolve it but it isn't resolved. Needs further investigation but looks serious at this stage. 

Brie said:

Glad you had some nice time away while the weather was good.  (it was in Dorset so I assume Devon was too).

I hate house surveys.  They always contain such a lot of doom and gloom.  If there is real damp I assume you might have smelled it, rather than just a report of "damp may be an issue".  I think you need to balance what the worst case scenario would cost versus how soon you want to move in.  Impossible really to advise on that but as MF says the home or DIY forums may be informative.

Thanks Brie. Devon was beautiful! Rain on the Friday but off and on. 

I may have paraphrased the report poorly. Damp was listed as a 3 and as a risk to the building. That doesn't mean it can't be resolved but it is a disappointment.
*******

Yesterday I realised a job I was going to apply for had gone...bad planning 

On the plus side I had a meeting to do with my creative work. I actually asked for a job where she works. It didn't work but she will speak to a colleague as there will be paid work once a year related to a prize. There is also a small pot of money I can apply for that she will help me access. 

I did ok yesterday as despite feeling disappointed I ate the following frogs:

• I phoned the EA to update them.

• I phoned the storage unit and paid a small fortune to cover myself for a while longer. 
• I emailed the report to the solicitor
• texted family to go over at the weekend

Today

• email EA (EA offered 'free' experts to look at damp and flooring issue. Umm, probably best to use independents)
• phone solicitor
• arrange a time to discuss report with surveyor
• ask surveyors if they know of any experts re flooring and walls/damp
• post 2s and 3s on other boards
• email to remind creative mentor to speak to colleague about one-off work
• diarise new work plan

Bit of a long one!
Have a good day everyone 

Seasidegal58

I do hope things work out with the damp problem DIA.  You're doing very well with your frog consumption though!👍

WelshmansDaughter

Sounds like you're busy making progress 😀

doingitanyway

Seasidegal58 said:

I do hope things work out with the damp problem DIA.  You're doing very well with your frog consumption though!👍

Thank you  ...when in doubt, eat frogs...when stressed, eat frogs 

MovingForwards

Better than cake or chocolate!