Jeffrey Shaw 83 #1 Posted November 1, 2011 (edited) A Which? Survey in 2008 found that one in four homebuyers who did not have a survey before purchasing spent on average more than £2,500 to rectify problems that a survey would have identified and that could have been rectified before purchase (or that justified a substantial price reduction): the other three in four achieved an average price reduction of £2,000! So a Homebuyers survey is well worth the expense: way less than £2000! A Full Structural survey is appropriate in a few cases. Edited November 1, 2011 by Jeffrey Shaw Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
tMarston 10 #2 Posted October 7, 2013 Would you recommend a full structural survey for a top floor flat or just the homebuyers report? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
avidcameron 10 #3 Posted October 7, 2013 A Which? Survey in 2008 found that one in four homebuyers who did not have a survey before purchasing spent on average more than £2,500 to rectify problems that a survey would have identified and that could have been rectified before purchase (or that justified a substantial price reduction): the other three in four achieved an average price reduction of £2,000! So a Homebuyers survey is well worth the expense: way less than £2000! A Full Structural survey is appropriate in a few cases. It really depends on the house in question and the experience of the buyer.I would not always commission a survey,and certainly would not be confident of achieving a reduction in price.The Consumers Association is not required to conduct representative surveys leading to skewed results. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Jeffrey Shaw 83 #4 Posted October 8, 2013 Would you recommend a full structural survey for a top floor flat or just the homebuyers report? A Homebuyers Report should be sufficient, unless: a. the building is very old or Listed (or both); or b. V has owned the flat for many years; or c. there are known structural defects. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
gravity426 10 #5 Posted October 10, 2013 We bought our first house 3 years ago, got a full structural as it was a 100 year old terrace. We got a huge document so stuffed with caveats and back covering statements we didn't end up doing any work, and guess what? the house is still standing and has recently been re-sold without a problem. Just bought a 50's semi, went with the valuation survey and an informal, verbal report from a chartered surveyor friend. If the house is in decent condition this is all you need. We also found that having a trusted builder take a look is often more effective than a legally liable surveyor. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
geared 268 #6 Posted October 10, 2013 Isn't there a few weird types of homes that you need a structural survey done one? They had an iron structure or something, which rots? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Jeffrey Shaw 83 #7 Posted October 10, 2013 Isn't there a few weird types of homes that you need a structural survey done one? They had an iron structure or something, which rots? Yes. Many had black-ash mortar which corrodes wall ties. See item c in my post #4. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
gravity426 10 #8 Posted October 11, 2013 Yes. Many had black-ash mortar which corrodes wall ties. See item c in my post #4. although interestingly enough a structural survey includes visual observations for mortar decay, it doesn't compel the surveyor to scope the cavity. Our structural survey indicated some degradation of the wall ties, which we paid a specialist to check, turns out the survey based this on external cracking (minor) and the ties had been re-done years before. What I'm saying is structural surveys are not bibles, and more often than not do not tell you anything that a good builder couldn't. If you feel you offered too much money for a property and want to get something discounted before exchange, by all means pay a surveyor! The above applies for properties that have been maintained and don't have obvious defects, as its more than possible that a mortgage company wont lend without certain reports being carried out on run down houses. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...