What type of survey?

[adriennewillfly]

Hi,

I've just had an offer accepted on a house (so excited!), and need to get the survey sorted. On a previous attempt at purchasing I got the full building survey, and found it a little difficult to digest. I'm planning to get a HomeBuyers report this time, but my surveyor is pushing me towards a Condition Survey Report. What did you go for when you bought your house? Would you be tempted to go for the cheaper report?

What's the age and size of the house you are buying?

I've always had full surveys when buying Victorian. Homebuyers surveys when buying post war properties.

I paid for a full survey with each of my SSTCs. First one saved me £40k on what was supposed to be a fully renovated house, second highlighted silly things the seller had tried to hide and the third came back with no problems. My surveyor gave a breakdown of estimates which helped me understand even if I didn't understand the terminology how much each thing was likely to cost

Optimist - It's a 1930s terraced house - nothing too exotic. 4 bedroom including a loft conversion - around 1200sqft in Zone 4 London.

Shop around for survey providers - ask for a sample of ther reports. Some are far clearer to read than others. I would get a level 3 - full structural survey on the basis it's a loft conversion, you need to see if it complies and is sound. Your solicitor also needs to request planning approvals / building control sign off from the buyers solicitor.

Sorry - need to request the planning approvals / building control sign off from the SELLERS solicitor.

I would probably go for a full survey as its quite old but also possibly in an area of subsidence. Saying that however, a homebuyers survey will note subsidence.

Non of our surveys have saved us a bean. That's because we've known what wrong with them before the survey - damp rewiring etc