What level of survey

[vinoandbrie]

Hello!

We have finally found a house and had an offer accepted!

What level of survey should we get, out of homebuyers and full structural?

The house is 1930s and 4,000square feet (ish). A family are living in it as their family home at the moment, it appears in a good state of repair.

Thank you!

I've always gone for a full structural.

I would go for homebuyers - only go for full structural if the house is older and in need of total renovation. If the house is reasonably up to date in terms of heating, kitchens and bathrooms then should be ok but if it hasnt been modernised for over 20 years or more then its more likely to need re-wiring and central heating updating.

when you do get the survey report dont panic if it seems to list a lot of things as surveyors will always cover their back - speak to the surveyor as there are bound to be somethings that will need doing but not necessarily straight away.

watch out for any mention of rising damp - it doesnt exist and usually means drainpipes and gutters need checking and maybe ground levels outside need lowering.

I'd say homebuyers too. I think full structural for Mr would be if I was buying a project and wanted to cost out what needed doing.

Ffs 'for me' not 'for mr'

The house is 90 years old.

Having lived in 1930s houses I would go for a full structural as they have quirks that modern buildings don't have, and Home Buyers reports really vary on the information the surveyor puts in it.

Also even houses that look in good repair can hide issues.

We had an independent surveyor and a homebuyers (free from the mortgage lender).

Despite allegedly being around the same cost of the survey we commissioned the homebuyers was complete rubbish. Missed a load of stuff our chap found and then made a huge song and dance about a few
things our chap reckoned were alright.

I would ask for local recommendations for an independent. We got many estimates which varied from £300 to £3k+vat. But most were at the lower end. The chap
we went with was fast, about £450, and provided evidence to get the bank to throw out their surveyors findings with evidence they were clearly on the take (same chap
who did the homebuyers survey).