Suspicions about my surveyor… are they justified?

7sefton

Hi all

I’ve got a level 3 survey booked on an old (1700s) 4 story, 3-bed terrace house. 

I just called the surveyor firm to ask if I could attend the survey so I could have a second viewing of the property at the same time. To my surprise they said absolutely not because their surveyors do not like clients present. I explained I wasn’t going to be following them round checking on their work - I just want to take the opportunity to look at decor etc and the garden - but they still refused.

Then when I asked what time the survey would be happening, they said it would start at 9 and finish at 11. I said this seemed very short for a Level 3 - other surveyors I spoke to said their Level 3’s usually take at least 4 hours. They just said they use very experienced surveyors and that’s the average (if they need more time they will take it).

These two things have raised my suspicions - are they unfounded or does this sound odd?

snowqueen555

Most surveyors do not allow people with them so it isn't unusual. There is an insurance element to it, and also because it does affect they way they work having someone around.

That being said there seem to be a lot of surveyors that do the bare minimum and they usually offer the cheapest price. At this point just go with the reviews. The best surveyors I found were charging double and they can get away with it based on good word of mouth.

user1977

7sefton said:

are they unfounded or does this sound odd?

They're unfounded and you sound odd. It is not normal for clients to turn up with surveyors, and I would have thought a couple of hours would be a reasonable time to take on site. There are limits on how long they can spend staring at something which isn't actually problematic or noteworthy - as they say, it might take longer if they find something which needs further investigation.

kingstreet

Ask the selling agent for another viewing if required.

dimbo61

Most surveys have the standard get out clauses.
I am not a qualified electrician so you need to get an EICR / Electric inspection done.
I am not a roofer so you need to get the roof checked. ( They don't climb on roofs )
I am not a qualified Gas Safe Engineer so you need to get the boiler, gas hob, gas fire checked ( Gas Safe Certificate )
With a property this age you really need to know what your taking on !

Woolsery

To be honest, if I was surveying a property I'd not want  a potential new owner there, wittering away while I tried to get through my checklist, or perhaps asking for a little extra advice about things that aren't on it.

You'd not do that, I know, but it's those other people.....

canaldumidi

user1977 said:

7sefton said:

are they unfounded or does this sound odd?

They're unfounded and you sound odd. It is not normal for clients to turn up with surveyors, and I would have thought a couple of hours would be a reasonable time to take on site. There are limits on how long they can spend staring at something which isn't actually problematic or noteworthy - as they say, it might take longer if they find something which needs further investigation.

user1977 said:

7sefton said:

are they unfounded or does this sound odd?

They're unfounded and you sound odd.....

This.

..........................

trakky14

Ask the estate agent to arrange another viewing for you. Its unreasonable to expect the surveyor to have you there. 

They quote 4hrs but it usually is max 2 in our experience. We had a level 2 on our house and the surveyor was in the house for max 20 mins...I'd be livid if I'd spent £500-600 on that 😂

andy444

If I was a surveyor I wouldn't want my client hovering around when I was doing my job. I used to do measured building surveys and it was bad enough when the owners would follow me to keep a suspicious eye on myself.

Just because they spend longer on a survey doesn't mean that they will do a better job. They could spend ten hours on it but that doesn't mean they would do a good job. Trust your surveyor to do a comprehensive survey.

lookstraightahead

Oh my goodness no!

Make a separate appt to go and see the house,

it doesn't matter how long it takes, it's the quality of the work that counts.

rincha

It seems to me there is a huge trust issue on your side.

how did you find the surveyors? Have they got good reviews? Large reputable firm? 

I spent a few weeks looking for a good reputable surveyor, then once instructed, just waited for the report. Job done.

regarding going to the property, arrange that separately with the estate agent. 99% of surveyors will refuse to have you there so they can focus on the job. 

Regarding the time it takes, it takes as long as the surveyor thinks it takes. Are you a surveyor?