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Surveyor negotiating price with EA/Vendor.

16 replies

QueenOfPain · 21/04/2021 12:18

So I’ve just had the survey back on a property that I’m in the process of purchasing. It’s a bit hair raising in places but some of it I kinda already knew about or could have found out about had I done my due diligence.

But anyway, the surveyor set out in his contract that the report must not be provided to the EA or vendor, I read that at the time, ran it past my stepdad who is a quantity surveyor who said that he’d probably just had his hands burnt in the past and will most likely provide a letterheaded excerpt of any points which are pertinent to price negotiations, etc. So I accepted it and went ahead with the survey.

So this morning I wake up to the survey in my inbox. Have had a read through and think there may have to a bit of price negotiation, but over big things, not little stuff. And I now need to progress to a full structural survey.

The surveyor has emailed again asking me to confirm that I saw the item in his contract about not sharing the report. I said yep, seen it, but what’s your process re price negotiation, do you provide an excerpt, do they ring you? Etc.

He’s responded saying not many surveyors do it, but he’s happy negotiate the reduction in price direct with the EA/vendor himself.

He says not many Surveyors so it, but if it helps me then he’s happy to do it.

Is this normal? Has anyone come across it?

I don’t understand why he’d sooner renegotiate the price on a house purchase he’s no vested interest in, than just stand by his written report?

(I’ve absolutely no intention of ever sending the report to the EA or vendor BTW, since it’s cost me such a lot of money to get and I don’t see why I should provide any help or direction to someone whos done absolutely no property maintenance in the last 25 years.)

OP posts:
umbel · 21/04/2021 13:50

Sounds pretty odd to me. Maybe he wants to buy it himself?

LittleOverwhelmed · 21/04/2021 13:52

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This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

thatonehasalittlecar · 21/04/2021 13:55

I don’t think it sounds odd - just old school, perhaps? Surveyors do negotiate prices on some occasions - eg some offer the service when dealing with lease extensions.

Presumably it’s a service he offers for a fee, and there could be an advantage to using someone with the expertise and clout he brings.

senua · 21/04/2021 14:14

He’s responded saying not many surveyors do it, but he’s happy negotiate the reduction in price direct with the EA/vendor himself.
For free or is he trying to get another fee out of you?

QueenOfPain · 21/04/2021 14:21

He hasn’t mentioned if there’s any extra fee, tbh.

But I’m a bit miffed as I asked for a full structural in the first instance and he said he didn’t think it was necessary and he’d only normally do a homebuyers on this type and age of property. Yet lo and behold, he now recommends a full structural survey with a structural engineer...

OP posts:
QueenOfPain · 21/04/2021 14:24

I get a free phone call with him to go over the report, and he was quite keen for that to take place today.

But I’ve told him no, I want to read it and properly digest it first, and I’m going to discuss with my stepdad first for a bit of a sense check on it all. I’m due to visit the house again tomorrow so I can now do that with the survey findings in mind. So I don’t really want my free phone call till probably Monday next week when I’ve had adequate thinking time.

OP posts:
LittleOverwhelmed · 21/04/2021 14:36

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This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

umbel · 21/04/2021 14:43

If he’s a surveyor by trade, the most detailed survey he’s likely able/insured to do is a Level 3 survey. This is sometimes called a Full Building Survey or a Full Structural Survey, but this is not the same thing as a Structural Engineer’s report. If any survey picks up a potential structural issue, you will be an used to get a structural engineer’s report anyway. It’s a different thing.

QueenOfPain · 21/04/2021 14:52

@umbel

Thanks for that.

Sounds like this structural engineers report is gonna cost a fortune.

He’s said he thinks it requires invasive investigations into some of the potential structural problems he’s identified.

I’ve absolutely no idea if the vendor will even allow someone to come in and start messing about with floorboards and bricks etc and potentially causing damage to the finishes of things.

I don’t know how we’ve ended up needing a structural engineer on a fairly bog standard three bed detached 1930’s house.

OP posts:
Didicat · 21/04/2021 15:04

Maybe have a look on Rightmove and see what’s else is out there? This sounds like it could turn into a money pit! We had a full structural survey on an old property, but the vendors wouldn’t negotiate- maybe find out your sellers position before you spend anymore on the house??

QueenOfPain · 21/04/2021 15:11

So he’s come back and said any discussion he has with the EA/Vendor re price is free.

He wants to talk to me on the phone about the structural engineer stuff, it’s not something he can provide but he said he can make recommendations.

REALLY GOOD advice to check the vendors willingness to negotiate before spending money on a structural engineer! Hadn’t even entered my head,

Thanks.

OP posts:
umbel · 21/04/2021 15:25

@QueenOfPain it is good advice to check whether the vendors are willing to negotiate. No guarantees though. We did exactly this, our survey unearthed structural problems but despite earlier promises, they withdrew from the sale, despite us being willing to proceed. I’m still gutted.

Didicat · 21/04/2021 15:29

@umbel I’m gutted for the same thing we wanted to negotiate and they refused to. Plus we wasted an additional £500 on someone to come and cost the work needed...... hence you need to know if they will reduce the price before you spend any more pennies.

umbel · 21/04/2021 15:54

@Didicat so sorry to hear that. Did they just refuse to budge on price? Ours have weirdly now decided they no longer want to sell at all. It’s a big job and it needs doing. You’d have thought they’d have been pleased to make it someone else’s problem! They were good enough to reimburse our survey costs though, so that’s something.

Didicat · 21/04/2021 16:38

@umbel it was costed at £30-35k in price for the exterior works, they offered us £3k off...... it went under offer twice after us, I still check the Rightmove house prices to see what it went for in the end....

TokyoSushi · 21/04/2021 16:40

Just proceed with caution, it all sounds a bit weird! Hopefully it'll work out!

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