To survey or not

zoemk12

We’re purchasing a detached house built in 2012. It’s been a rental and is liveable but trashed. I’m just getting quotes for a level 2 survey £500-800. And I’m so tempted to not bother and put the cash towards the Reno budget, but would this be mad? We know the boiler will need replacing soon & plan to install a heat pump. The roof looks fine, no visible damp. What do you think?

Section62

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6680274/to-survey-or-not

Have you done a renovation before? What is your budget for the work?

zoemk12

@Section62 we renovated our current house. It’s not a full renovation. It’s new kitchen, bathrooms flooring etc, depending on how far we want to go really. We have a 100k.

RelievedSheff

I wouldn't bother, but then we have never surveyed any of the properties we have bought.

poseidon1

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6680274/to-survey-or-not

Well NHBC gurantees ( for what those were worth ) have long since expired.

The property having been trashed is what you can visually observed, what you dont know was the quality of the 'new build' in the first place.

I am not greatly impressed with the quality of products from the volume companies such as Bellway and Barratts so depending on the status of the original builder I would get the level two.

If nothing else the results on structural matters may give you additional negotiation points beyond the obvious refurb need following the departure of crappy tenants, and of course you intend to upgrade to a heat pump, so perhaps include that in your survey assessment.

zoemk12

‘intend to upgrade to a heat pump, so perhaps include that in your survey assessment’.

What do you mean? Ask the surveyor if it’s possible? I know not all properties can have heat pumps.

The house was built by small developers, it’s one of three.

Section62

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82108082#Comment_82108082

So if you discover something unexpected would you be willing/able to divert money from something you'l like to something you have to spend money on?

Albermarle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82108126#Comment_82108126

 and of course you intend to upgrade to a heat pump, so perhaps include that in your survey assessment.

Surveyors normally avoid commenting very much on heating, electrical or plumbing systems and normally say you should get specialist advice.

poseidon1

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82108256#Comment_82108256

I agree that is the usual situation, but RICS are now encouraging property owners to use appropriately qualified surveyors to conduct independent heat pump assessments - as set out below

https://ww3.rics.org/uk/en/journals/built-environment-journal/domestic-air-source-heat-pumps-consumer-guide.html

My thinking was if the heat pump is critical to the OP's decision to buy the property, why not tack on a RICS heat pump assessment to the normal survey ie a package deal from an appropriately qualified surveyor and kill two birds with one stone?

Surely it must be sensible to try and get an upfront idea of possible retrofit work that may be required for the heat pump, rather than buy and discover that later. If a single surveyor can cover both aspects would seem worthwhile considering, so the question here is to what extent such RICS specialists are now widely available.

Albermarle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82108305#Comment_82108305

OK, I did not know that.

Maybe the situation will change again, as after these heatwaves air to air cooling/heating seems to be becoming the go to system ( or at least getting more talked about than it used to). Especially as from next year grants will be available for air to air.

mlz1413

I have only had a valuation done for mortgage purposes. But I've heard that surveyors tend to say things like Electrics need fully testing by a qualified electrician. Plumbing needs testing by a qualified plumber, etc.

I would be more tempted to pay a builder you know to spend an hour going round the property with you and asking his advice and getting ballpark values for works you want doing.