Survey question

[Spillo]

It’s ages since I last bought and I don’t remember certain things about the process. We’re getting a mortgage. How does it work with the survey for the proposed purchase - is it the lender who arranges the survey and chooses the surveyor? Or do we do that? Can anyone give me a quick primer on how it works?

Normally the bank will get themselves a valuation and have a list of “panel” surveyors they choose from randomly.

they often don’t tell you the value, just that it’s adequate for banks security/LTV

if you want a survey you can get one yourself or sometimes ask the banks surveyor to “top it up” to a home buyers survey

@Cocotrain the context here is that it's an old property and I want to get a full survey to check for things like the roof, damp etc. So would I get a separate survey to the one that the bank arranges?

You need to arrange your own Home Buyers Survey. This is totally separate from the mortgage survey which just the bank satisfying themself that the value of the house stacks up to what they're lending you. It won't tell you anything that's wrong with the house or any work that needs done- that is all from the Home Buyers

Yep. Separate survey

For a full level 3 survey, you will gernerally need to organise your own. We did simlar recently (old house, lots of work has been done on it) and asked for local recommendations from facebook groups.

Thanks all! Much appreciated.

Definitely go for the fullest survey if it's an oldie. We do, and have never regretted it. Good luck.

@BlueMongoose is that a Homebuyers' level 3 survey? Is that different to a full structural survey? A colleague told me yesterday that I should get two surveys - a level 3 survey by a surveyor and a structural survey by a structural engineer. What did you do?

www.rics.org/profession-standards/rics-standards-and-guidance/sector-standards/building-surveying-standards/home-surveys

This explains what's included at each level.

Thanks @BungalowBuyer - I get those different levels but I'm wondering about this other survey called a structural survey done by a structural engineer. This is something in addition to the level 3 as I understand it.

If I were you, I’d consider keeping the surveys separate. There’s no need for the lender to know about your house other than to decide if it’s worth lending on. I’d order your own full survey separately and have that person working for you, not the lender. The lender can cause complications if they know more details. Worth considering at least.

Level 3 is a full structural survey.

@Jaffajiffy that makes total sense - thanks for the input.

Thanks!