Dopey questions about surveys

[Laquila]

Is it standard practice for EVERYONE buying a house to get a survey done? How much (ball-park) would one expect to pay for a survey on a house listed around the £130-£160k mark? Is there an age cut-off, i.e. would it be daft to get a survey sine on a recent new-build? (We're likely to buy something between 100-70 yrs old so the last question is just curiosity really.)

Any help gratefully received!

Not sure about the age cut-off but yes it's standard practice to get a survey. Price doesn't change according to value of the house (as far as I'm aware)

There's three main types;
Valuation - the cheapest, not really a survey but just confirms for the bank whether the house is worth the money you're paying for it. won't tell you about any inherent structural issues, damp, crumbling walls etc.
Homebuyers survey - the typical one that most purchasers get, gives a valuation on the house and also details any/all problems that might arise such as garden wall falling down, damp, structural issues etc. Usually costs in the region of £200-300 (from memory)
Planning (?) not sure of the name. the most expensive and goes into detail that most home-buyers won't use or understand. Tends to be used by homebuyers looking to make big alterations as it can advise on planning permission etc.

hope this helps!

Yes it's standard, and can be a good bargaining tool. If it throws up any issues you choose to ask the vendors to sort it before you buy, or you can get some money off on the understanding that you'll have to deal with the problems when you move in.

Homebuyers surveys range from quite limited ones to very detailed and likewise the prices go from £200-£900.

The price depends on the size of the house, outbuildings, land being surveyed as its dependent on the time the surveyor takes.

You can ask to meet the surveyor at the property when he's finished so he can spend an hour pointing out anything substantial thats he found. Otherwise insist on photos.

Kumquat the word you are looking for is 'full structural survey'. You have described them very well. However I do think that the price of surveys is very much based on the price of the house - a percentage, so the more expensive the house the higher the cost for the survey - regardless of the complexity. I have always found surveys to be quite unhelpful in that they suggest everything and nothing at the same time. I would get a valuation report (cheapest) which has to be done for the mortgage in any case and if you have any fears get b uilders, plumbers, electricians to check out anything else - they will normally do this for free based on the fact that you will give them the job if anything does need doing. Good luck.

Ahh, thanks bilbodog - only 2.5 years ago but don't seem to remember much!

I would definitely get at least a homebuyers survey on a house 70-100 years old. A renovated and cared for house could be fine but an unmodernised house could have loads of problems. Do you really not want to know about some of these? What would you do if there turned out to be rot in the roof timbers or subsidence? Builders might know a thing or two, but they are definitely not experts on structures, drainage or damp for example.

Thank very much everyone - this is really helpful! Milly - just to clarify, I meant that given that we'd be buying a house 70-100 yrs old, we'd definitely be getting a survey - that's why it was just curiosity, as I was wondering whether people bother for recent new-builds, as in 3/4 years old? (I think new-builds have some kind of builders' warranty?)

My husband's a builder so has a good general knowledge of what might potbebtially be a problem, but were first-time buyers and feeling like we have a LOT to learn! We're seeing somewhere this weekend that we really like the look of, and it looks as though it's been well-cared for, although rightmove can hide a multitude of sins!