Surveyor Could Not Follow Up Survey at Property. Here’s Why.

konn1ch1ha

Section62 said:

konn1ch1ha said:

Section62 said:

So this is a natural feature, rather than something man-made like a quarry?

I believe it’s a natural feature. An “outcrop of sandstone” is the hill that it’s a part of. 

In which case the only logical reason for the surveyor to have a concern is if there is a possibilty the rock face may not be stable.  Sandstones are prone to weathering so it isn't completely unreasonable to have concerns about that.

I'm not sure why that couldn't be addressed in the survey you asked for though - for example suggesting you would need to get specialist geotech reports done.

konn1ch1ha said:

canaldumidi said:

and you want to live under that?

With respect, this is a little dramatic isn’t it? The area we’re looking at has no history of subsidence, and there is a castle on top of the hill.  

In defence of canaldumidi, the rock in the picture is probably a sandstone of some kind, so he's correctly predicted the rock type.... and what can happen when it naturally degrades through the effects of weather.

The issue won't be subsidence (or heave) - which might have been potential issues for a property in a man-made feature like a quarry - but almost certainly will be limited to stuff coming down on the property from above.

Thanks for the response. 

“specialist geotech reports done.” Would these come up in the local searches?

Section62

konn1ch1ha said:

Thanks for the response. 

“specialist geotech reports done.” Would these come up in the local searches?

No, it would be a bit like getting an electrical inspection or drain survey done.  A report on something which requires specialist knowledge/expertise, which is not normally part of a RICS survey.

A geotech survey would typically involve inspection of the feature, taking and analysing some samples, and a written discusion of the potential risks and mitigation measures.

For example if a geotech engineer sees a 'fault' with water running out of it in a substantial sandstone outcrop they are likely to flag up potential movement (/failure) of part of the feature being a concern.

Edit: I'm not saying you need to get one done BTW, just suggesting that was one way the surveyor could have dealt with the rock face if they had doubts.

user1977

konn1ch1ha said:

Section62 said:

konn1ch1ha said:

Section62 said:

So this is a natural feature, rather than something man-made like a quarry?

I believe it’s a natural feature. An “outcrop of sandstone” is the hill that it’s a part of. 

In which case the only logical reason for the surveyor to have a concern is if there is a possibilty the rock face may not be stable.  Sandstones are prone to weathering so it isn't completely unreasonable to have concerns about that.

I'm not sure why that couldn't be addressed in the survey you asked for though - for example suggesting you would need to get specialist geotech reports done.

konn1ch1ha said:

canaldumidi said:

and you want to live under that?

With respect, this is a little dramatic isn’t it? The area we’re looking at has no history of subsidence, and there is a castle on top of the hill.  

In defence of canaldumidi, the rock in the picture is probably a sandstone of some kind, so he's correctly predicted the rock type.... and what can happen when it naturally degrades through the effects of weather.

The issue won't be subsidence (or heave) - which might have been potential issues for a property in a man-made feature like a quarry - but almost certainly will be limited to stuff coming down on the property from above.

“specialist geotech reports done.” Would these come up in the local searches?

No, the local search tells you about statutory matters affecting the property, not things like ground conditions.

konn1ch1ha

Section62 said:

konn1ch1ha said:

Thanks for the response. 

“specialist geotech reports done.” Would these come up in the local searches?

No, it would be a bit like getting an electrical inspection or drain survey done.  A report on something which requires specialist knowledge/expertise, which is not normally part of a RICS survey.

A geotech survey would typically involve inspection of the feature, taking and analysing some samples, and a written discusion of the potential risks and mitigation measures.

For example if a geotech engineer sees a 'fault' with water running out of it in a substantial sandstone outcrop they are likely to flag up potential movement (/failure) of part of the feature being a concern.

Edit: I'm not saying you need to get one done BTW, just suggesting that was one way the surveyor could have dealt with the rock face if they had doubts.

I meant the local searches my conveyancer is undertaking.