What are peoples views on RICS Home Surveys, are they a waste of time and money?

kinger101

It's easy to consider them as wasted money if they don't pick anything up.  Just as it's easy to consider home insurance wasted money if your house doesn't burn to the ground.

user1977

kinger101 said:

It's easy to consider them as wasted money if they don't pick anything up.  Just as it's easy to consider home insurance wasted money if your house doesn't burn to the ground.

Similarly, you could save money by not using a solicitor. After all, 90+% of the time they're not going to find anything significantly wrong with the title, searches, etc. Just cross your fingers. It'll probably be fine.

ArbitraryRandom

kinger101 said:

It's easy to consider them as wasted money if they don't pick anything up.  Just as it's easy to consider home insurance wasted money if your house doesn't burn to the ground.

I think it's about a realistic evaluation of risk. 

There have been times in my life when I haven't had contents insurance - because there was nothing of particular value to insure and I could have easily replaced my property if needed. 

The same principle with a property - If you can SEE there's a problem with the brickwork, roof, electrics, damp etc, why get a level 2 survey rather than jumping directly to a specialist who can tell you what the problem is and give you an idea of what you'd need to budget to fix it? That is, IF you wouldn't have pulled out if the problem was flagged at the earlier stage (i.e. if you're prepared/able to buy a property that needs significant and potentially expensive work). 

Or you can be one of the buyers who gets the level 2 report then ignores all the recommendations for an expert evaluation because 'they're only covering their butts'... which is pointless IMO. 

dimbo61

Now I could set up as an estate agent on Tuesday morning but it would take 4/5 years to train to be a chartered building surveyor.
Yes they get paid about £3/400 pounds to do a valuation survey but your not buying a standard property are you.
In fact many surveyors don't deal with listed properties, has it got a thatched roof ? Lath and plaster walls ,  lime mortar, timber framed building, 
Your buying a very old building and condition is everything.
Every repair job will require specialist people.
The electrics may require shielding when passed through thatch.
Fire safety with a water sprinkler system needed !
Fire proof boarding under the thatched roof.
Good Luck 

juliedee4663

After the survey we had on the house we are currently living in, bought 18 months ago, I wouldn't waste my money again.  All the red flags he raised were things we had already seen but he also raised things that were not even accurate.  The previous owners had a doorway into the kitchen from the hall blocked in, plastered, but they had not redecorated.  The surveyor pointed out that there had been a possible leak from the bathroom upstairs which had damaged the wall, despite the previous owner telling him what the plasterwork was for and it was pretty obvious that it was doorway shaped!!

jonnydeppiwish!

For a late 1970s property which we bought for cash, we didn’t have one. I could see the defect and my sense of smell was still good at that time.
On a listed building, I think I’d be having one done. As previous mentioned, a list of priorities is a great idea!

Jonboy_1984

Bought a 1970’s crossform terrace and the level 3 was useful as wasn’t overly familiar with them. No major red flags, but lots of constructive advice on the general maintenance needed, and what to prioritise maintenance wise.

Saved a lot of research and trying to find contractors for bits I could do actually do myself, being sure of the correct method of repair.

lookstraightahead

We bought an 1850s property. We had a structural engineer report, and then paid for a structural survey (level 3). Found it very useful, although the surveyor was wrong on a few points, having lived here a couple of years now.

We do use it as a working document to help us do it up and maintenance. 

housebuyer143

Eschatologist said:

We are in the process of our 3rd house move and we are contemplating not getting a survey done. This is because the last 2 surveys we have had have seemed like a complete waste of money and given us no information which we couldn't have gather ourselves.

For example the survey for our current house missed historic leaks and 2 asbestos water tanks. They didn't look at the roof and just poked their head into the loft (the asbestos tanks where clearly visible from the loft hatch). Bear in mind we paid for a full buildings survey!

This time around we have much more home owning experience and seriously considering forgoing this part of the process.

We are buying a property which is grade 2 listed and was heavily renovated in the last 10 years, meaning it's had to meet  all building regulations plus the requirements needed for its grade 2 status. This makes me feel a survey will just be pointing out what is already stated in the planning docs, building reg's certificate etc.

I'm very keen to know other peoples views on this.

I don't get a survey but I don't buy older houses. Nothing more than 25 years old..I know what I'm looking for though and can see the obvious things to look for. I have never had a problem.

I wouldn't however buy an older property without a survey and probably a building one.