Having a Property Survey Done

RHemmings

When a surveyor needs access to a property for a survey, how is this usually arranged? Is it the EA or the owner who will provide access? Also, will the buyer usually be present, or not? 

EDIT: It seems that the surveyor may prefer that the buyer is not there: https://www.reallymoving.com/surveyors/faq/can-i-attend-a-house-survey

user1977

You tell the surveyor who the EA is and leave the two of them to sort out access. You do not tag along.

Jonboy_1984

Our surveyor booked it through the estate agent, who provided them with keys for an unattended visit.

Buyer being present gets in the way of their process and also may have liability insurance implications (both injury to you, or claims of missing items by seller!)

BlueVeranda

When we last sold, the buyer booked the surveyor then our EA got in touch with us to arrange a time when the surveyor could come round. They had two surveys done and we had to be out of the house as well for at least one of them, possibly/probably both.

MultiFuelBurner

Been present for all surveys on our house sales.

Tough bells if they don't like being followed round the house lol

RHemmings

Thanks everyone. This is the information I need. 

user1977

MultiFuelBurner said:

Been present for all surveys on our house sales.

Tough bells if they don't like being followed round the house lol

Yes, I would regard it as pretty normal for the vendor to be around (no idea why they would "have" to be out of their own house!), but the surveyor won't want their own client breathing down their neck and expecting instant verdicts about everything.

Though I have in the past (as a client) been offered a meeting at the end of their survey so they could point out anything of importance.

RHemmings

I'm the buyer, not the seller. Personally I would prefer that the seller won't be around, but it's not in my power to control that.

Though, I have to wait to see if my offer is accepted first. I like to be prepared. 

user1977 said:

Though I have in the past (as a client) been offered a meeting at the end of their survey so they could point out anything of importance.

This is mentioned in the article I linked to above as a compromise for buyers who want to be present. 

user1977

RHemmings said:

I'm the buyer, not the seller. Personally I would hope that the seller won't be around, but it's not in my power to control that.

Why? The surveyor's going to be used to it, and it's pretty normal for the seller to be the one who lets the surveyor in.

RHemmings

user1977 said:

Why? The surveyor's going to be used to it, and it's pretty normal for the seller to be the one who lets the surveyor in.

In the article I edited into the first post, it said that having a buyer following a surveyor around would be distracting and might prevent a thorough job being done. I would be concerned that a seller might also distract the surveyor. Either accidentally, or if the seller knows what the surveyor should be distracted from.

user1977

RHemmings said:

user1977 said:

Why? The surveyor's going to be used to it, and it's pretty normal for the seller to be the one who lets the surveyor in.

In the article I edited into the first post, it said that having a buyer following a surveyor around would be distracting and might prevent a thorough job being done. I would be concerned that a seller might also distract the surveyor. Either accidentally, or if the seller knows what the surveyor should be distracted from.

Well, I would recommend you not be concerned about such things, as your surveyor won't be.