Did you get a survey? If not why not?

[Northernsoullover]

I'm dithering over getting one. I've heard that they don't do intrusive testing unless you go top tier which then terrifies you so much that you no longer want to buy it. I'm interested in hearing other people's experiences. If you didn't get one do you regret it?

I think I'd always get one. Unless you're quite skilled in a trade/DIY sort of thing, it's bound to pick up things you didn't. For example I wouldn't think to do my own damp readings, check wall thickness, check the spring of the floors, know what to look for with flashings and flat roofs, know what to highlight on conservatories that are missing something they really should have. All things our survey included that i am clueless about. But obviously a personal preference I suppose :)

I’ve had two done and they’ve been a Little helpful but honestly I think I’d been fine without them too

depends on the house you’re buying. What condition is it in? Are you looking to renovate?

Like you said surveys don’t pick Up
on everything. And in most cases don’t do intrusive tests so it can be wish washy

Had a friend do an informal one for a bottle gin - a retired surveyor though!

Meant to add - they missed something fairly major - that the chimney breast was removed downstairs and not underpinned upstairs 🥴

So next time I'd get a proper one to fall back on.

Would never buy without one, especially if it an older property.
If you then find you have damp behind lovely new wallpaper , leaking roof hidden by a repainted ceiling, failed heating or dangerous wiring you will absolutely kick yourself for not getting it checked and making sure your finances/offer can cover the costs.
We are having a full survey plus's and additional survey on the oil boiler and tank. Yep it's gonna cost about £1500 but when you think how much it will cost to fix the problems it's a drop in the bucket.

I suspect many people have had surveys and been put off and pulled out by the overzealous wording by surveyors, that in fact would have been a perfectly fine property. They do go over the top and put everything in just to cover their backs.

No never had one but we always buy houses with renovations in mind, never had any serious issues as long as you can see structure is fine. I dont need to pay someone to look at the same things that I can see myself.

Thank you for your replies. The thing is we know that the boiler is ancient and will need replacing and that the flat roof will need renewing. It's priced accordingly. Definitely food for thought though.

I didn’t get one on our current house ( 1950s) mainly because we got a good price on it on the condition that we completed within 2 months and I did everything humanly possible to achieve that. When I was reassuring the EA that we wouldn’t cause any delays I heard myself saying that we wouldn’t even get a survey, only the valuation the mortgage company insist on.

The house seemed in good condition though. No nasty surprises luckily 😅

We didn’t. Experienced renovators buying a house, which needed full renovation for cash so no mortgage company involved. It was a 70s terraced house with no signs of structural issues and a straightforward layout.

@MissCherryCakeyBun who have you got for the additional survey on the oil boiler and tank - just a normal heating person?

@Spegit they have to be OFTEC qualified heating engineers to look at Oil systems and, for additional peace of mind, if possible signed up to the Government "competent person scheme"
OFTEC aid a bit like GasSafe is for Gas Central heating systems

There's so much scaremongering around surveys putting people off one. This shouldn't be an issue if you find a good surveyor.
Ours was excellent, took detailed photos of every inch including the loft. Of course he had to cover all bases in the report but we rang him up and he assured us 'nothing to worry about'.

If you have no experience you can at least Google/ask someone else about things pointed out in the survey

@MissCherryCakeyBun thanks v much, that's hugely helpful. May I ask how much you are paying for that additional survey?

@Spegit DH is sorting it but I'm pretty sure it was going to be £225. We are in rural Somerset so not an unusual thing to need if that makes sense.
Pretty sure we need an new Tank and Boiler but if they will last safely another year that would be brilliant. The cottage is a probate sale so not a lot of documentation so we thought better safe than no heating in December lol

@Spegit www.oftec.co.uk

www.gov.uk/guidance/competent-person-scheme-current-schemes-and-how-schemes-are-authorised#current-schemes

@MissCherryCakeyBun thanks so much. Good luck with it all. :-)

I have done one but my buyers didn't. Not sure why. I guess it's helpful but not sure worth the £600 I paid.

Moved half a dozen times and never had one. Old and new houses.

I’ve never bothered. Not had any nasty surprises. Always bought major projects though

We've also always purchased major project houses and haven't had a survey on the last four. All these were cash purchases which ranged in age from 150-450 years old.

We do much of the renovating ourselves and know what to look for, although there's usually been a few surprises.

The surveyor for a buyer of a previous house of ours made so many ridiculous errors (the buyer realised how daft they were and wasn't put off) it made us realise how pointless they could be.

Yes, would rather spend a bit now than buy a house then find out it needs thousands and thousands spending on it.

I have bought without a survey. I know if a surveyor had gone round the place I am renovating atm they would have run screaming into the garden thinking the whole place was going to collapse as the rooms were at 45 degree angles but if you looked at everything else there was no cracks or any reason to think settlement.

Turns out it was very badly laid flooring. All 22 layers of it. Or should I say 22 layers in one part of the room and 11 layers in another part.