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Crosswall Construction House with Extension
RN7
Posts: 12 Forumite
Hello All,
I've made an offer on a crosswall construction house that I believe was built either 1970 or 71.
It has been extended so I have some concerns about how that has been done. I am also slightly worried about mortgage lender classing it as non standard build, and the general state of the timber in the front and rear external walls.
External view of extension and the floorplan below (red annotations show extent of property originally)
I am not getting much of a steer from a couple of surveyors I have spoken to they seem to want it to be as transactional as possible "just get a level 2 survey" without anything resembling a bit of advice / guidance!
So couple of Qs in turn:
1) I am expecting to get a RICS Level 3 survey - is there something more specialist that might be more suitable? Some of the surveyors have suggested just getting level 2 - but given risk around the alleged "non-standard" construction I am inclined to get more done?
2) Is there anything else I can / should do to understand the risk to the structure from when the extension was done? Anything I should go and look for on later viewings?
3) Has anyone got any experience of getting a mortgage on these properties? What lender did you use? Do you think the mortgage cost more than if it had been bricks and mortar?
I have a friend who owns a house on the same road that was identical but his has not been extended. He is generally complimentary about the build quality, insulation and his survey in about 2014 didn't have anything particularly alarming on it. This is a large part of the reason I even put an offer in!
I've made an offer on a crosswall construction house that I believe was built either 1970 or 71.
It has been extended so I have some concerns about how that has been done. I am also slightly worried about mortgage lender classing it as non standard build, and the general state of the timber in the front and rear external walls.
External view of extension and the floorplan below (red annotations show extent of property originally)
I am not getting much of a steer from a couple of surveyors I have spoken to they seem to want it to be as transactional as possible "just get a level 2 survey" without anything resembling a bit of advice / guidance!
So couple of Qs in turn:
1) I am expecting to get a RICS Level 3 survey - is there something more specialist that might be more suitable? Some of the surveyors have suggested just getting level 2 - but given risk around the alleged "non-standard" construction I am inclined to get more done?
2) Is there anything else I can / should do to understand the risk to the structure from when the extension was done? Anything I should go and look for on later viewings?
3) Has anyone got any experience of getting a mortgage on these properties? What lender did you use? Do you think the mortgage cost more than if it had been bricks and mortar?
I have a friend who owns a house on the same road that was identical but his has not been extended. He is generally complimentary about the build quality, insulation and his survey in about 2014 didn't have anything particularly alarming on it. This is a large part of the reason I even put an offer in!
0
Comments
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I live in a crosswalled construction townhouse (pm me if you want to ask more Qs). I found most major lenders are fine (I use natwest). I think Nationwide were ok. We got turned down by Virgin Money.
The major issue is insulation, for me anyway, plus I have a flat roof. I would just look at the build as character, make sure your broker knows up front about it.
Def get a full survey done, check when the extension was done, building regs??? Look for any cracks or warping etc..
Good luck.0 -
And to be clear - when you say a full survey- do you mean the RICS level 3 survey? Or did you opt for getting structural engineer in to do something more specific.0
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