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Does a building survey check the roof?

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Calleja
Calleja Posts: 192 Forumite
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edited 16 April 2013 at 4:05PM in House buying, renting & selling
Hi,

I've put an offer in for a house. The vendor has admitted there was a problem with the gutters which caused damp inside one of the rooms. She claims it is fixed, they are waiting for it to dry and will paint it before completion. I have no reason to disbelieve her, but for peace of mind, does anyone know if a building survey will pick up on any roofing issues that are more serious? Someone told me they just do a visual inspection of the roof, which concerns me slightly....(I'm going to get the full survey, not just the homebuyers report)

Also, the EA has quoted me £300 to do a valuation of the house. I know a valuation isn't generally included in a building survey, but if I can get the surveyor to do the valuation also, will the EA accept this, or will I still have to pay them for their valuation?

Thanks for your help!


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  • Dan-Dan
    Dan-Dan Posts: 5,272 Forumite
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    Good question about the roof , i wondered that as well , because if they dont actually get `up there` then me with a set of binolcours will see just as much...?

    interested in your replies!
    Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.
  • zzzLazyDaisy
    zzzLazyDaisy Posts: 12,497 Forumite
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    A normal survey will be just a visual inspection of the roof. If you are concerned the best thing to do is to get a reputable roofing company to check the roof and gutters and give you a quote for any repairs that may be necessary.

    For information, though, if gutters are not regularly cleaned out they can get clogged with moss and leaves and then they can over flow causing damp on the wall. So it is entirely possible that the seller is telling the truth, but you are right to want to check for yourself.
    I'm a retired employment solicitor. Hopefully some of my comments might be useful, but they are only my opinion and not intended as legal advice.
  • martinsurrey
    martinsurrey Posts: 3,368 Forumite
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    zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »
    A normal survey will be just a visual inspection of the roof. If you are concerned the best thing to do is to get a reputable roofing company to check the roof and gutters and give you a quote for any repairs that may be necessary.

    For information, though, if gutters are not regularly cleaned out they can get clogged with moss and leaves and then they can over flow causing damp on the wall. So it is entirely possible that the seller is telling the truth, but you are right to want to check for yourself.

    A full building survey is tailord to the requirements of the buyer, so ask them to focus on the roof, and they will, they'll get into the loft and look around if possible.

    Asking a roofing company if there are problems isnt a great idea, they have an interest to make things sound worse to get work.
  • hazyjo
    hazyjo Posts: 15,470 Forumite
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    As above - with a full structural survey, they'll do what you ask so get them to access the loft and check the roof.

    If you're getting a mortgage, your provider will need their own valuation. Don't bother with the EA's in that case. You should be able to have the surveyor value it at the same time, but might be an additional fee. Is it someone you found yourself, or someone your mortgage provider is using? You might find you've paid for the valuation already in your mortgage product fee.

    Jx
    PS Presuming England!
    2023 wins: *must start comping again!*
  • steppevos
    steppevos Posts: 84 Forumite
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    edited 11 April 2013 at 9:29AM
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    Why would you want the EA to do a valuation? The EA is working for the vendor, so he has a high interest in valuing the property at the agreed price.
    A valuation is normally done by a surveyor for mortgage purposes and your own peace. If you need a the valuation for a mortgage than the bank needs to agree to the surveyor used (normally they have a list of approved surveyors). If the valuation is lower than the agreed price, you have to (in case of the mortgage provider refusing to proceed) or should (if you don't need a mortgage or mortgage isn't affected) start negotiations with the vendor (it isn't upto the EA to agree or not) and you should be prepared to walk away from an overpriced property (or be willing to take the hit when it comes to selling in years to come).
  • Calleja
    Calleja Posts: 192 Forumite
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    Sorry everyone, obviously too early in the morning for me! Of course, I didn't mean the EA has quoted for a valuation, I meant the mortgage provider! But thanks for the advice, I will check with them to see if they will accept my surveyors or not.

    And thanks for the tips re the roof, I will chat to a few and make sure they are happy to go up there.
  • Dan-Dan
    Dan-Dan Posts: 5,272 Forumite
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    Does a homebuyers report (i.e the middle one) involve anything more than looking at the roof from the ground ? and maybe poking there head in the loft ?

    Just wondering how anyone would be able to judge loose tiles etc
    Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.
  • martinsurrey
    martinsurrey Posts: 3,368 Forumite
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    Dan-Dan wrote: »
    Does a homebuyers report (i.e the middle one) involve anything more than looking at the roof from the ground ? and maybe poking there head in the loft ?

    Just wondering how anyone would be able to judge loose tiles etc

    You are right a homebuyer is a from the ground report on the roof.

    A homebuyer report will say that it’s got a roof (that he could see), that it was straight and seemed in good order (from what he could see from the ground) and that a specialist roofing survey should be completed.

    ie it won’t say anything useful, unless there is something obviously wrong, in which case you will have already seen it, unless you are blind/and or stupid.

    I am a firm believer in either no survey if you are competent and know what to look for, or a full survey, a homebuyer report is a waste of time (IMO).
  • Dan-Dan
    Dan-Dan Posts: 5,272 Forumite
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    thats good to read martin , thanks , and i can instruct a full survery locally if i like ? and make sure they have no links and/or carry out repairs as a side line ?

    My biggest worry with any house is the roof , i know its irrational but when we look at houses , i always look at the roof and just `wonder` how to check the slates arent about to fall off!
    Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.
  • DaftyDuck
    DaftyDuck Posts: 4,609 Forumite
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    edited 11 April 2013 at 9:55AM
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    martinsurrey wrote: »

    I am a firm believer in either no survey if you are competent and know what to look for, or a full survey, a homebuyer report is a waste of time (IMO).

    This.

    With a full Structural Survey a surveyor will answer specific questions you pose. The answers may still be peppered with "get another expert in to check xxx", but the surveyor will nearly always face head-on the questions you pose.

    So, in your case, ask specifically whether the damp was caused by the gutter problem, and if the repairs made are suitable, and whether the problem is therefore solved.

    I always accompany my request for a survey with a list of specific points that I wish him to follow up, in addition to performing the full survey. On this house I'm in, that included investigating the bowing to the garage walls, the lean on a chimney, the water damage from failing cast iron guttering and (rather more cheekily) his view on removing two internal walls to create two ensuites!

    He answered them all, clearly. Subsequent building work has shown his views were spot on. (Well, he agreed with mine, which is what matters, anyway ;) )
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