Investigated survey issues-how to renegotiate

Loulibell

First time buyer.. looking for help! 

We’re in the process of buying our first home. We got a survey done, based on the fact it’s a 1930s build and wanted to make sure all was okay. This was after the estate agents tried to talk me out of it because ‘I haven’t seen it in the flesh but it looks lovely, I wouldn’t bother with a survey’ Expecting a few little things to pop up. 

We made an offer based on the condition of the house, it is immaculate. Looks like it’s been kept to a very high standard, nicely decorated, very presentable. 

However, the survey came back that there were some concerns over woodworm in the roof and damp was present in most walls. 

We’ve had a separate damp and timber  inspection done and the findings were that a DPC is needed throughout, but couldn’t advise if the bathroom or kitchen was an area of concern because they couldn’t check the levels properly. 

Also the EICR came back that they’re recommending a full rewire. 

What would you do in the scenario? 

Our original offer was £225k but increased after some back and forth to £240k due to the condition and being able to move in straight after the sale went through. 

Now this isn’t the case and I’m not sure where to go from here. 

Any advice?
thank you ☺️

koalakoala

It all depends if you have the funds to do the work required ?

Loulibell

koalakoala said:

It all depends if you have the funds to do the work required ?

I would be in a better position to complete the work if they came down in the price. 

I’d just hate for them to think I’m being a pain, the last thing I wanted was any complications. And I was more than happy with the price we’d originally offered, but now I don’t feel like we’re getting the same deal if that makes sense. 

youth_leader

The woodworm in the loft is easily treated by spraying, some timber might need replacing.  

Was your damp survey by a company that sells DPC's etc?  Peter Cox?  I think there would be a DPC in a 1930's property, did they say there was one present and it had failed?  

What did the EICR actually say about the rewire?  Did they say it was dangerous?  

Loulibell

youth_leader said:

The woodworm in the loft is easily treated by spraying, some timber might need replacing.  

Was your damp survey by a company that sells DPC's etc?  Peter Cox?  I think there would be a DPC in a 1930's property, did they say there was one present and it had failed?  

What did the EICR actually say about the rewire?  Did they say it was dangerous?  

The woodworm is treatable without replacing timbers which is good. 

The survey was done by a company that does in fact do the treatments and DPC. They said there didn’t appear to be one present. It was British Damp Proofing. I avoided Peter Cox because their website had been copied and pasted from Rentokil. 

It failed miserably on most things. Earthing, switches, main supply, circuit board. There was some areas for real concern. Recommended that the supplier visit the property to check/replace supply and a retest needed to see if it is as bad or if that’s affecting the readings. Though he has suggested a rewire is most likely necessary. 

Slithery

Loulibell said:
The survey was done by a company that does in fact do the treatments and DPC. 

So just a salesman touting for business with no regard for whether or not the work actually needs doing then. I suggest you read...
https://www.heritage-house.org/damp-and-condensation/the-fraud-of-rising-damp.html

youth_leader

Good the woodworm is treatable.  I'm in a 1930's bungalow and my surveyor alerted me to woodworm in the loft.  Unfortunately he was unable to inspect the subvoid and I've subsequently found out I've got wet/dry rot and woodworm in this front bedroom.

I am surprised there isn't a damp proof course.  

Hopefully someone will come on soon with more knowledge about electrics, I have read on here several times that many properties would fail the 'new' regulations. 

gwynlas

You could try and renogociate but electrics are always an issue and you could live with them as they are until you are ready to upgrade similarly woodworm can be treated. Damp will need further investigation as it is not clear if damp proof course failed or not present. if house immaculate then there would appear to be no obvious signs or smell of damp so do not go with the findings of a company with a vested interest.

stuart45

The odds are that a 1930's house will have a DPC. It's possible there may be some damp areas, although if there are no signs of damp it could be a false reading from the meter. It could also be condensation.
Woodworm could be an old attack. 
Get some estimates for the work and see if you can renegotiate the price if you think there is a chance of a reduction.

Loulibell

Slithery said:

Loulibell said:
The survey was done by a company that does in fact do the treatments and DPC. 

So just a salesman touting for business with no regard for whether or not the work actually needs doing then. I suggest you read...
https://www.heritage-house.org/damp-and-condensation/the-fraud-of-rising-damp.html

Oh wow now I’m even more confused 😂 
in all honesty, I couldn’t find a company that did them independently, which may well prove your point. 

stuart45

The free damp surveys will be with  salesmen. An Independent one with no interest in sales will not be free. Putting a damp meter on the masonry walls isn't an accurate method. 
Although the article you read makes some good points about these companies, it's not really correct that rising damp was invented in 1962, and that other countries don't recognise rising damp as a problem.