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Negotiating with vendor after a survey - Chimney issues
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indigomoon18
Posts: 9 Forumite

We're in the process of buying a property but the survey has just come back showing issues with the chimney stack (supported by a bit of wood. The surveyor said it's unsafe and a risk to life and needs sorting asap).
We're in the process of getting a structural engineer and then will get builders quotes. I think an rsj is needed as it's connected to the neighbouring property so I doubt we can remove it. But I just wondered if anyone has done this kind of work and had any idea what it costs?
And secondly, we'll need to go back to the vendor to negotiate price to allow us to fix this (unless they want to do it themselves.) Has anyone has much experience with negotiating with vendors recently? I worry that there is such lack of properties on the market that they'll tell us they won't drop the price. (For additional context, there is other work needed but all of that we could have reasonably worked out based on viewings so won't reduce our offer for that and we have offered 20k over the asking price.)
Any thoughts appreciated!
We're in the process of getting a structural engineer and then will get builders quotes. I think an rsj is needed as it's connected to the neighbouring property so I doubt we can remove it. But I just wondered if anyone has done this kind of work and had any idea what it costs?
And secondly, we'll need to go back to the vendor to negotiate price to allow us to fix this (unless they want to do it themselves.) Has anyone has much experience with negotiating with vendors recently? I worry that there is such lack of properties on the market that they'll tell us they won't drop the price. (For additional context, there is other work needed but all of that we could have reasonably worked out based on viewings so won't reduce our offer for that and we have offered 20k over the asking price.)
Any thoughts appreciated!
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Comments
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What did the survey value the house at? If it says that it's worth the agreed amount without getting the work done then you're possibly going to struggle to get the vendor to contribute towards the fix.Whatever you do, DO NOT allow the vendor to fix it themselves - you will then have no guarantee as to how well it's been done.
Bear in mind that getting a structural engineer to visit (& presumably do the calculations to work out what is needed) is going to cost you a few hundred at least.0 -
ciderboy2009 said: Bear in mind that getting a structural engineer to visit (& presumably do the calculations to work out what is needed) is going to cost you a few hundred at least.
Her courage will change the world.
Treasure the moments that you have. Savour them for as long as you can for they will never come back again.0 -
I'd be cautious as people who risk their lives with such important issues might cut corners everywhere...
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