Help re survey and foam insulation!

[meow1989]

I'm hoping you lovely lot will be able to advise.

Had our survey (homebuyers) back on the property we are buying. We've also had our unconditional mortgage offer. We are moving from a new built to a 1930s house so understand that there will be some considerations.

One of the issues highlighted in the report was around foam insulation in the roof. It said some of the beams but not the majority are covered which might impact on them rotting due to condensation. Our solicitor wasn't super helpful and suggested that on properties over 10 years old they recommend a building survey ( looking online this will be circa £850) but that sounded like standard advice. Our estate agent (that we are selling with) said ots only really a concern in terms of difficulties getting a mortgage but we already have ours (appreciate thos may impact future saleability but we are intending to be in this house for 15 years plus). From my professional googling I can also see that foam can make replacing roof tiles tricky as it sticks to them. We don't want to we moving in and looking at a whole new roof but wonder how much of an issue this may be rather than just super caution on the surveyor's part?

Should we look at biting the bullet and paying additional for the building survey?

I would say no , you would be better off paying a roofer to come and look/ inspect the roof and asking him. Tell him you want the area the foam is on checked and how good a condition the who roof is in, how long before it needs re-tiling etc..... it will be cheaper than a survey and you will get a professional opinion off someone who has seen it all hundreds of times.

Just make sure you get someone decent and not a cowboy 👍

I'm not sure what extra information you would get on something like this from a buildings survery.

Have you spoken to the surveyor wo did your Home Buyers survery? Sometimes if you speak to them "off the record" they are more willing to give a realistic assessment of the issue rather then erring on the side of caution as they do in the written report.

The solicitor has now come back having seen the homebuyers survey to say actually no further surveys are needed! Stress much! A new build was so much easier.

Thanks for your thoughts, might consider a roofer review (you know what I mean) or seeing if we can have the foam removed from the affected wood to prevent damage assuming there is none.

Oh also I have asked to speak to surveyor but they are away till Monday so I'll chat to them then