building survey

[mummatucker]

We've just had an offer accepted on a Victorian end of terrace. It needs decorating throughout, new windows and has been rented out so general tlc needed. The vendor had a roof survey done last year which showed no issues; she's happy to share this with us. A friend of DH's parents is a surveyor and going to give it a good look over.

We really wanted the house and the way the market is moving here we'd have lost out if we'd not moved pretty fast. What are people's experiences of a full survey?

We have gutted two Victorian houses and DH is an architect, we still have surveys. They do tell you a lot of obvious stuff, but also can point out things you might have overlooked, a lot can be 'hidden' in a well decorated house.
The results can also be a bargaining tool.

Get a survey but one done by someone who is familiar with historic buildings so won't recommend unnecessary damp proofing etc.

Exactly what Olivia said. Too many surveyors out there who just go for the arse-covering option, instead of giving you the information that you actually need and that would be useful.