looking for good value structural surveryors

pavilion_2

I'm purchasing a property in London and have just had a home buyers report carried out which has recommended a structural survey. I've just forked out £440 for the home buyers report and have been quoted £900 for a structural report !

Anyone know of any cheaper structural surveyrs?

firrybabe

Hello

I've just had a structural survey done, and it cost me £411.25. (I am up north though)

I was quoted by some companies figures of £700 upwards. Some firms even told me not to bother and that I should just have a homebuyers !

I got the yellow pages and I called round all the surveyors I could find, I also asked friends and colleagues if they knew of anybody and more importantly if they would recommend them.

It took me 2 days but I got someone at a good price.

My advice is keep trying.

I used a firm called Day Cummins, am not sure if they have a branch down your way but they may give you a reasonable quote.

Hope this helps

pavilion_2

Thanks for the advice. Finally after exhausting all the telephone numbers in the local directory, i managed to find a company who carry out structural survey's for £375 + VAT!

cheersthanksbye

Im new to the site so please exchuse my niavety :-[

What are the different types of survey you can have? You mention structure and 'homebuyers'???

I am looking to buy a house, what is the usual survey you would have done?

Many (embarassed) thanks in advance.

firrybabe

:)Ok

You can get a valuation done which is a basic report, which will assess the property and its overall condition on behalf of your mortgage lender & yourself. It will ascertain the value of the property to see if it matches up to the offer/agreed price. A valuation may highlight if any works maybe required to bring the property to its agreed value.

A homebuyers report and valuation goes into more detail and will provide some more information on the property, and its condition.

A structural survey is a very comprehensive look at the property and will give you a really good insight into its condition. The surveyor looks at everything that is accessible (they don't lift the carpets unless you've asked for this to be included). It will highlight any structural issues if there are any. Generally a structural survey is recommended for older properties.

I hope this helps, and I hope I've explained this right !

pavilion_2

I instructed my structural engineers on wednesday, they surveyed the property the following day and this morning i was able to pick up the report in person.

The surveyors i used for the home buyers report were useless in that they took 7 working days after the visit to produce the report, countless telephone calls. The report they produced was brief, they could'nt even find the loft hatch (if they had asked the owners it would have been pointed out!), they could'nt provide a valuation on the property becuase they had some structural concerns and therefore could'nt give a valuation. Surely, one would expect a valuation of the property based on its current or assumed condition however this was not provided. The had to buy a book to read up about the effects of a mature poplar tree located in a neighbouring garden and also consult colleagues. He sounded like he had just graduated...and this happened to be a national firm i used.

Would'nt it be so much easier if home owners were required to make these reports available to the prospective purchasers to see.

Anyway if anyone wants the number of the a good, reliable, very reasonably priced structural surveyor based in North London then just ask!

Nethouseprices

Would'nt it be so much easier if home owners were required to make these reports available to the prospective purchasers to see.

In the Scottish house market we have been taking part in the pilot scheme for single surveys. The take up has been dire as reported on the site I operate http://www.nethouseprices.com/Property_News/General_Property_News/Market_shuns_single_survey_pilot_scheme_for_house_sales/

Speaking to a surveyor who has taken part he thought it was a great idea, because he thought they (surveyors) would be guaranteed 2 surveys on each house, as most people (including me) would want to commission their own survey from someone they know and trust.

There are other potential disadvantages. While the report is free to buyers, it has been suggested that estate agents might be allowed to charge the seller an administration fee for the cost of printing and handing out the surveys - one price floated was £25 which would soon add up if one was attached to every set of particulars!!

Regards

Steve

Andrew_M_4

I instructed my structural engineers on wednesday, they surveyed the property the following day and this morning i was able to pick up the report in person.

The surveyors i used for the home buyers report were useless in that they took 7 working days after the visit to produce the report, countless telephone calls. The report they produced was brief, they could'nt even find the loft hatch (if they had asked the owners it would have been pointed out!), they could'nt provide a valuation on the property becuase they had some structural concerns and therefore could'nt give a valuation. Surely, one would expect a valuation of the property based on its current or assumed condition however this was not provided. The had to buy a book to read up about the effects of a mature poplar tree located in a neighbouring garden and also consult colleagues. He sounded like he had just graduated...and this happened to be a national firm i used.

Would'nt it be so much easier if home owners were required to make these reports available to the prospective purchasers to see.

Anyway if anyone wants the number of the a good, reliable, very reasonably priced structural surveyor based in North London then just ask!

I'm asking!

I'm at the beginning of buying my first house and I think it might be wise to get a survey done.

alanobrien

I can recommend these people.

http://www.cwsurveyors.co.uk/

I just used their maidenhead office for a survey which was well done and relatively cost effective.

I believe they have offices nationwide.
Worth a look.

StarX_2

Hi pavilion,

I would definitively appreciate if you could suggest the name of the structural surveyors you used.

StarX