What kind of survey for a new build?

TheJP

lookstraightahead said:

Robbo66 said:

Personally I would get a full survey done especially after having seen some of the new property snagging videos on youtube, absolutely shocking

Me too - I would for any house at all because it flags up potential issues, even if the builder is responsible 

Surely a snagging survey is more appropriate due to the elements that can arise from a new build. Snagging survey will look at things a full survey wont. 

The youtuber you reference is a snagging surveyor and he's brilliant. Look at this, 2 tic tac packets out of plumb, SHOCKIN!

Robbo66

TheJP said:

lookstraightahead said:

Robbo66 said:

Personally I would get a full survey done especially after having seen some of the new property snagging videos on youtube, absolutely shocking

Me too - I would for any house at all because it flags up potential issues, even if the builder is responsible 

Surely a snagging survey is more appropriate due to the elements that can arise from a new build. Snagging survey will look at things a full survey wont. 

The youtuber you reference is a snagging surveyor and he's brilliant. Look at this, 2 tic tac packets out of plumb, SHOCKIN!

Yes it is but any surveyor worth their salt would also pick up the vast majority of those same faults

Noneforit999

Robbo66 said:

TheJP said:

lookstraightahead said:

Robbo66 said:

Personally I would get a full survey done especially after having seen some of the new property snagging videos on youtube, absolutely shocking

Me too - I would for any house at all because it flags up potential issues, even if the builder is responsible 

Surely a snagging survey is more appropriate due to the elements that can arise from a new build. Snagging survey will look at things a full survey wont. 

The youtuber you reference is a snagging surveyor and he's brilliant. Look at this, 2 tic tac packets out of plumb, SHOCKIN!

Yes it is but any surveyor worth their salt would also pick up the vast majority of those same faults

Depends what the faults are.

A lintel not fitted right sure but they are not going to pickup on a kitchen cupboard not quite lining up or the vast majority of other defects labelled as 'snagging'.

A full survey would be a waste of money on a brand new house, a snagging survey would suffice.

CottonyTapper

Hello, considering buying a brand new high spec flat in a block, this will be the first time I have done that.

i’m debating whether to get a snagging survey, or RICS level2. 

One problem I have is that the building and the interior look fantastic, I have no idea what materials are used, what specification the central heating is or anything. The agent can only give me the sales brochure which of course is written in marketing speak and only has things like “underfloor central heating“

no idea what cavity wall is used etc. 

Having looked at the planning applications, there were backwards and forwards conversations between developer and planning authorities about risk of overheating. 

I don’t know whether a full survey would pick this up. Any input here would be appreciated

Tracet74

A survey would identify the materials used during construction but a snagging list would be the best option. Is there a reason you are concerned about the construction/materials?

SarahB16

CottonyTapper said:

Hello, considering buying a brand new high spec flat in a block, this will be the first time I have done that.

i’m debating whether to get a snagging survey, or RICS level2. 

One problem I have is that the building and the interior look fantastic, I have no idea what materials are used, what specification the central heating is or anything. The agent can only give me the sales brochure which of course is written in marketing speak and only has things like “underfloor central heating“

no idea what cavity wall is used etc. 

Having looked at the planning applications, there were backwards and forwards conversations between developer and planning authorities about risk of overheating. 

I don’t know whether a full survey would pick this up. Any input here would be appreciated

If there were conversations back and forth then yes there would appear to be a risk of overheating.  You need to understand how that risk has been mitigated.  Is there nothing in the planning documents that you could read.  Look on the planning portal and see what is said.  

However, you could focus solely on the flat you are interested in within the block.  Personally just applying common sense and you could work this out for yourself.   

Where is the flat located? e.g. in London and south east (temperatures are on average higher there) easily can reach 36c in the summer these days.  Would it be located in a built up area (I presume so as that is typically where blocks of flats are built). 

Is the flat dual aspect (windows on the north and south or east and west so can have a cooling draft in the evening blowing through your flat?)  That is a positive.  Would your bedroom be north facing or east facing (that would be cooler than south or west facing). 

To summarise, if you are looking at a flat in London with only south facing windows then yes there is a high risk of overheating.  However, in mitigation is there anything that can shade the windows from the outside or would you be solely relying on blinds or curtains?   

Could you share any more details regarding the flat then people can help you further. 

CottonyTapper

Thank you for your extensive response, that really makes me think.

Yes, the flat is in London, ground floor with opening on the front to the street facing west.The windows are triple glazed, and offer quite a bit of UV protection. At the same time, they are restricted in their opening. There doesn’t appear to be a way to create a through draft from front to back, only front to one side.

There is an internal air circulation also built into the block, but as per my comment about the survey, I don’t know what this does, or how effective it will be. 

The side windows are unlikely to catch direct sunlight, as they are about 8 to 9 m from another building.

CottonyTapper

Tracet74 said:

A survey would identify the materials used during construction but a snagging list would be the best option. Is there a reason you are concerned about the construction/materials?

I’m not worried as such, but I would like to know. Recently purchased a leasehold property for a family member, and I understood everything about that property. By contrast, I don’t know anything about this other than what the brochure tells me.

EssexHebridean

Check exactly how the heating is operated - is it a wet system run from a traditional gas boiler or an air source heat pump? Or a fully electric system - in which case you may want to ask for proof of running costs. It could also be a communal system in which case again, ensure you have full details of all costs involved, AND be prepared for the fact that you have no control over the costs going forwards. 

SarahB16

CottonyTapper said:

Thank you for your extensive response, that really makes me think.

Yes, the flat is in London, ground floor with opening on the front to the street facing west.The windows are triple glazed, and offer quite a bit of UV protection. At the same time, they are restricted in their opening. There doesn’t appear to be a way to create a through draft from front to back, only front to one side.

There is an internal air circulation also built into the block, but as per my comment about the survey, I don’t know what this does, or how effective it will be. 

The side windows are unlikely to catch direct sunlight, as they are about 8 to 9 m from another building.

Another thought.  Do you actually have to live in London?  Could you not live nearby just outside of London but commute to London for work, e.g. in Essex? 

Also consider the security aspects from being on the ground floor too.