Should I have a survey?

[9millioncansofbeans]

I’m buying a 1970s house so is a home buyers survey really necessary? I already know the consumer unit needs updating and the boiler is more than ten years old. No signs of damp. Roof looks good. With such a newish house what can really be wrong that a survey of £600 is needed?

Am I being foolish?

I would always always have a survey, and have just done so on a used new build we are buying. Our buyers haven't bothered and I think it is crazy to spend that amount of money on a house and not bother getting it checked out.

Even with the most honest of sellers, things could have developed over time or not be seen as an issue when, really they are.

That's 50 years old (or thereabouts) a lot can happen to a house in that time. Bodged plumbing, dodgy electrics, unsafe DIY (and I'm only thinking of the things I do ) It's like all insurance. It doesn't seem worth the money until you actually need it. So it may uncover a hidden problem and if not it should give you peace of mind. I would have it done.

I don’t regret getting mine at all. Mine showed up problems with the roof that I’d not have been aware of otherwise, and the sellers probably weren’t aware of either.
Think of it this way... would you have paid £600 more to secure the house? In the grand scheme of house buying I don’t think it’s very much. I got my homebuyers tagged onto the banks valuation so only paid the difference - could you do this to bring the cost down?

We’re buying an older property but the survey showed up that a section of electrics that were updated within the last 25 years were done so badly they’re actually dangerous, so very glad we did it & I always would now unless a very new build (& then I believe there are professional snagging companies that play a similar role post purchase).

We bought a house that was built in 1966 and there was a catalogue of issues with it. Your house is of a similar age and I would say it's def worth having a survey.

Always always always do a survey!

Even if you’re knowledgeable, I’d just get the survey as an extra pair of eyes even if it’s a fixer upper that you intend to spend £££ on.

I would never ever buy without a survey. Why wouldn't you do it?

Even if I buy a new build I’ll get a survey done because that way there won’t be any unpleasant surprises after I move in.

jesus, one of the biggest purchases you are ever likely to make, and you dont want to know the most about it that you can???

We’re in the process of buying and we didn’t have a survey...BUT the big caveat is that DH is a builder and very experienced in looking for signs of problems. Plus this is our forever house, it’s already pretty cheap, we’d be buying it regardless of condition or what state it’s in, planning to update the whole lot anyway, and if anything was to go wrong before we get to it, DH can either fix it or will know someone who’ll fix it for us. So for us, a survey isn’t worth it. But that’s quite a unique set of circumstances! Generally unless you’re really experienced/a professional then I think they’re worth it.

I didn't, but the house was only 12 years old rather than 50. I think I definitely would if the house was that old though.

Always have a survey.

I'm not entirely sure but I believe some mortgage companies would approve a mortgage without one

I’ve gone ahead and booked one in. In my experience buying I’ve always bought old properties - pre 1900- so have always had a survey for obvious reasons. I never bother to even look at the one the mortgage company do, it’s always very vague and short so tend to seek an independent survey from someone local to the area with local knowledge of underground streams etc etc etc

With this one it seems so unlikely there will be an issue but booked it in anyway. Better being safe!