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Property/DIY

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Original poster

Survey or no survey WWYD

8 replies

Neron · 10/05/2019 08:23

Finally found a new property after disastrous attempts to buy previously. Our new lender only does a valuation and we have to source our own RICS surveyor if we want one. Have no problem with that, just wondering how useful are the surveys really?

We've had full and homebuyers in the past. We are certain the new purchase doesn't require a full survey. It's been well looked after, everything is immaculate just dated. Needs new boiler/rewiring etc internally and fine with that as DH is doing the electrics and BIL the boiler/heating. It's just the homebuyers are so full of caveats and generally haven't told us anything we didn't know.

Has anyone else decided not to get a survey? It's not a money saving thing as we have the money in the budget. There would be no price negotiation either. It's being sold by the family of the deceased who won't entertain it even if something was flagged. This would be our forever house too, no need to move from here.

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PattyCow · 10/05/2019 08:26

Nope. I would never forgo a survey. At least you'll know what you're getting. There can be big expensive problems that you can't see. Even if you'd proceed it's better to know what you're going to need to spend.

Original poster

Neron · 10/05/2019 09:31

I am more inclined to have a survey and whilst DH is qualified in 2 trades and very handy - he isn't a surveyor. I was just wondering if anyone had gone ahead without one.

TBH after the nightmare we've had trying to move I think it would break me if the survey flagged something expensive and the sellers wouldn't negotiate. I'm going to make enquiries today on availability and price.

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NotThatSimple · 10/05/2019 09:39

I’m just buying my second house. It will be the fifth house my DP has purchased. We’ve never had a survey.

But, if it gives you reassurance, then do what you need to to feel comfortable with your purchase. It’s a big decision! We would also not renegotiate following survey. Our buyer cancelled their survey when we made that clear (their own buyer pulled out following survey).

Original poster

Neron · 10/05/2019 09:59

We had a full survey on 1 property we were buying and it was money well spent. It was a disaster of a house but it was great having everything confirmed so we could get actual quotes for the work. It was the bank ultimately that wouldn't lend the full amount and downvalued it so we weren't able to proceed.
The others were newer properties and we learnt nothing on the homebuyers. I didn't find them helpful so loathe to get one of those again.

It's not so much reassurance, as we aware aware of the work we can see needs doing, but it is if we don't learn anything new we'll feel it was a waste, but then if it does show something then it's either stick with it and shell out or wall away because they aren't moving on price

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Original poster

Neron · 10/05/2019 10:01

*are aware
*walk away

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MaverickSnoopy · 10/05/2019 10:16

We've always done a survey. Our estate agent for our current house tried to talk us out of it, citing that we didn't need one. It only made us more convinced that we needed one.

More than anything, for us it did two things - firstly to give us confidence that we weren't buying something with hidden problems that we couldn't afford to fix and secondly to highlight which more minor things did need fixing so we could deal with those first and make the property more favourable for the next buyers.

You have to work out what is right for you.

Zandana123 · 11/05/2019 08:51

We're in a similar situation. I just can't decide whether it's worth it. 70s house that we want to take out a wall and extend back about 3x4. We're going to strip the rest of the rooms too so we'll surely see what's wrong, if anything, when we do that. Any further opinions or ideas?

Original poster

Neron · 11/05/2019 12:42

It's really hard to decide isn't it @Zandana123

DH,BIL and others don't think we need a full structural survey. It's a detached bungalow in a cul de sac of just 8. Neighbours have gone in to the roof and added 2 beds and a bathroom so they think if there was issues with subsidence etc then neighbours wouldn't have been able to do that.

We need to replace the boiler, the electrics, the fuse board, new kitchen and bathroom but it's just because they are dated. It's immaculate and I guess there are a lot more things to spend the 500 - 900 on (what we've had quotes depending on which survey we get)

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