Am I overreacting to my building survey report?

[SilverLiningSearching]

I received the Independent building survey and now feeling quite deflated.
Structural movement is apparent but survey say , based on their one visit, the risk to continuing problems is “remote” yet they also say that historically the location of the house was a mining area and a mine search should be done. I am concerned that any sort of movement will spell trouble for housing insurance.

The surveyor also failed to examine the floor boards because they had laminate flooring, yet said the addition of extra air bricks may indicate damaged floor boards?

They were lots of other smaller things, but it is the movement issue I am worried about, don’t know whether to pull out or not. Is movement not unusual? Am I over reacting?

Where are you trying to buy and how old is the house? Our survey said things like that, and yet the house has been here since 1835 and is still standing. Mining surveys are common in places like Cornwall,where I am. It's just checking where everything is.

If it's an older house, then more airbricks are a good thing for ventilation.

Are you a first time buyer?

Did u expect them to rip up laminate to inspect under neath?
If in a mining area will have to mention it also most old houses have suffered some degree of movement.

Yes first time buyer and buying in my own. The house is in Yorkshire about 5 miles from my current location, the house was built in the 60s.
Should I get a structural engineer in? The report didn’t mention subsidence, called it structural movement. The is some bowing to an external wall, and some things are misaligned in the house, no wall cracks, but it had been repointed and some breaks replaced since it was built.

I think you're possibly looking too much into this. You could try asking the vendors if they've ever had any problems getting insurance and what their insurance premium is? (Ie if the insurers thought there was risk it would be sky high in comparison to you completing a compare the market money supermarket average.) Also question the surveyors and ask their advice.

Look at the outside walls, especially the lintels over the doors and windows, do any of them have cracks or signs of mending ? Cracks running down the face of the house and through the lintels are a clear sign of subsidence movement.

Ask the surveyor to explain the impact of his report in practical terms. A bowed wall doesn't sound good to me but he should be able to tell you what it really means for the future of the property and insurance.

I've just had a survey on a 60s ex LA property and that mentioned possible structural movement leading to a crack. But it's nothing major from what I and a knowledgeable friend have seen, and I think it's stock phrasing for some reports. Mine could be worsened by blocked gutters causing rainwater seepage, but I'm going to get that sorted asap.

I would ask for a call from the surveyor. They're usually happy to talk you through the report.

Did you just get the cheap basic survey or a full survey?

If it's a historic mining area have you considered the effect this might have on mortgage lenders or buildings insurers?

Mmm, I think a bowed wall and misalignment in the house would be a red flag for me.

Two very easy solutions:-

1. Ask your solicitor to instruct a mining search if you haven’t already.
2. Get some quotes for home insurance to see if they are subject to unusually high premiums.

Walk away.
Not to be blunt but this is not a house for a first time buyer; it's stressful enough without worrying about if the house is going to fall down. A bowed wall and a professional report stating signs of movement would make it end of story for me. Don;t forget that at some point you'd be selling it and have the same problems to shift it.
On the offchance you proceed, make sure there's some form of indemnity for at least 20 years covering structural failure.

Actually, just don;t buy it.

The problem @Loofah01 is that if OP likes the area and this issue is caused by the existence of mines and mining activity it is likely that many houses locally are in the same situation.

Rather than ask MN, call the surveyors as someone upthread has suggested.

Don't panic! Speak with the surveyor and get them to explain it to you. Of course there will be structural movement over the years, but is it worrying, declarable, historic, progressive etc etc.
They write the reports to cover themselves but are usually good at advising over the phone too.
Then get your solicitor to do the mines search.

If you are worried about mining, you can go to the coal authority website as they have an interactive map that you can find information from

All fair points but I'd still walk away. Too much added stress for a first purchase and re-selling should be borne in mind

Thanks you your replies, it was a full building survey that I had, will speak to the surveyor tomorrow.

Agree @Loofah01 , it is very much an added stress I don’t need.

@SilverLiningSearching I'm a FTB too, and when we got our full building survey back, I read it carefully then called up the surveyor. I asked what his overall opinion of the condition of the house is, then I asked him questions that had arisen from reading his report e.g. you mentioned this problem - is it serious, will it require immediate/costly attention. It was really helpful and put my mind at ease, so you should definitely give that a try.

Mining surveys the norm here too.

One of our houses had slight historic movement probably dating back half a century. We spoke to the surveyor and he put our mind at rest so we bought it and then easily sold it on 6 years later