Roof beams need bracing on survey

[Blanketwars]

Just got our survey back and not sure how serious this is. Roof struts need bracing according to the homebuyers survey and need a structural engineer to look at apparently. Have contacted two, one has come back and said can’t even come out as too busy, awaiting reply from another one.
Next plan is to try roofers and see if they can just give us a quote.

This is all on a background of a house that’s in very poor decoration, the wiring is probably 60 years old and the surveyor said probably dangerous and the vendors have refused to get an electrical certificate. Retaining wall in the garden is collapsing.

Trades are a nightmare to get hold of and prices for any work is going through the roof.
Aaaaaaaand I’m 38 weeks pregnant.

We knew we needed to decorate but didn’t think we’d have to do all this. Also worried about how much trade prices are going to go up in the next year.
WWYD? Can we ask for money off from the vendors? Just walk away as too much hassle?

I wouldn’t be too worried about the roof being an urgent job if it looks fairly straight and is keeping the water out. Any builder who does roofing work will be able to gfive you a quote/opinion on the state of the roof

The retaining garden wall won’t be too much a few k at most.

If the the wiring is 60 years old it could be very dangerous. Anything from the 1970s onwards is generally ok but the type of wire used pre 1970s isn’t. A rewire is not that expensive but very very messy.

Whoa hang on! That retaining wall may be a huge issue! I was looking at a house with serious structural cracks, so got a structural engineer round. He said yep a problem but can be resolved- but the real issue was the retaining wall at the back, which was holding up the garden behind about 5' higher than the house I was interested in. He said major issue, would cost way more than fixing the house.
Definitely get some quotes in and renegotiate. Expect seller to reduce by at least half of the quotes.

Thanks. Just a nightmare to even get people to quote!!! Will have a chat with surveyor tomorrow and see what he says

Very stressful time, honestly I would pull out in your circumstances OP. We have just pulled out of an investment purchase, trades are hard to get hold of at the moment, as they have so much work on, building supplies are also hard to get hold of and have soared in price, especially timber. We even had one builder who wanted to charge for his time to quote, £185+vat!!! Good luck OP with whatever you decide, you will find your perfect home.