Worried about my house...

[ThinThighsPlease]

Shitting myself. I moved in a few days ago and due to a random comment someone made I've started digging and am worried the house is a bag of shit. The survey says "house was made using traditional materials and techniques" but he also says the roof is made of timber clad with tiles, also timber is mentioned when bringing up the (very small) extension. He says at the end the outside walls are all made with bricks - which obviously is obvious!

The bank did an online mortgage valuation, neither the seller or estate agents mentioned non standard to me. There's nothing on any of the paperwork, I had no problem getting the mortgage.

If this is non standard who would tell me?!

Sounds like a normal house to me

The survey would say if it was non standard.
What was the comment? It sounds standard to me.

I’m no builder but that’s fairly normal isn’t it? All of the houses I’ve lived in have had timber framed roofs covered with tiles. And some sort of timber framing within the structure of the building. It’s how our current house is built.

Basically there is a single wooden log on the ceiling in the kitchen, it has hooks on so you can put frying pans on it etc. It looks nice, I don't know if it's just a feature or a supporting beam. My friend pointed out it has woodworm 😔 I don't think it's active (after researching) but of course I'm no expert. I'm now convinced because the word "timber" is mentioned in the report the extension is a bag of shit, the little bastards have eaten their way through the floorboards - they creak - and my house is going to fall down.

The house was built in the 80s, extension was early 90s. The houses around here aren't too expensive but that's normal in this area compared to London etc. They sell at a normal rate, this house has sold 3 times since 2001.

When I say extension I mean literally a couple of meters, it's a very small house.

If the house was built in the 80s then the beam will probably be a feature. Sounds standard to me. Are you a worrier ?

Chicken - I have to admit yes I am a massive worrier. To the point I know I need management therapy. I'm also a Googler...

Fresh woodworm is easy to spot there are piles of sawdust, but maybe you should have a proper survey done to set your mind at rest.
We have loads of creaky floorboards.

If you are worried about woodworm go get it fumigated. That is an easy thing to do. As for.everything else..not site what you are on about tbh.

Then I'd say a survey might not help , I'd gently suggest have a look at some of the other boards on here for some ideas to help with the worrying. You might find the survey then finds something else and gives you more to worry about.

Roofs are pretty much always built of timber - just pop your head if the loft and you will see all the wood! Those lines are typical in all survey reports for completely standard houses.

My floorboards squeak. That’s what they do, I don’t have woodworm.

Lots of kitchens have wooden beams like you describe. It was attractive at a point in time as it made the kitchen seem more “country” style.

Seriously, take a breath and sort out that therapy.

Woodworm don’t tend to live in modern houses as it’s too warm for them.

Your surveyor would have said if it needed an inspection for mites/worm/infestations that would affect the structure. He works for the bank to ensure they will get their money back. It would not be in his interests not to mention woodworm.

Don't worry OP. If you still worry you can get another guy around to do a beam check.

Our house has a lot of wood in the framework. That's what wood's for. I doubt you've got woodworm. It's very rare these day. Calm down and enjoy your lovely house.

Usually woodworm is in damp houses, which your survey hasn't found. Trust the survey. You are lucky he didn't shove the holes in the beam on the report as the mortgage company and solicitors would have made you pay for treatment prior to moving in. Tbh it doesn't sound like there is a problem at all.

Thanks everyone yes I know I'm a huge stress head. I never thought I'd be able to buy a house - medium income and single - so now that I have I've checked absolutely every single I can thing of. I don't want a huge problem to tap me on the shoulder. I've emailed the surveyor a couple of questions (it was an independent one for me) so until then I'm just going to have a bottle glass of wine this evening and chill the fuck out.

Floors often squeak because the screws (or nails) holding down the floorboards to the joists work loose. We had this problem. It's a simple thing to fix.
Every attic I have been in has had timber trusses, so that is par for the course.
If your piece of timber has woodworm holes it doesn't mean there is active woodworm in it. I have several bits and pieces that have had worm sometime in their life (very common with old furniture) but have been treated long ago.
If your house was non standard construction your surveyor would have told you. Most non standard constructions are difficult to get mortgages on (assuming you have a mortgage).
Stop worrying and start enjoying your home instead.

Sorry, just read that you DO have a mortgage. I should read more thoroughly!

Maybe you can change your focus to decorating instead. Houses usually give us something to worry about, so you won't be short on that front

Before you choose a colour paint a patch of each option on the wall and look at it in different lights (diff times of day) and make sure it does what you want it to do.

Shift the focus and you'll be fine when it feels more 'yours'