Structural survey- how worried would you be?

[SpringOne]

The house is a 70s build, the current owner has notified me that the drains at the front were replaced in around 2005 as part of an insurance claim as damage to the drains was causing structural movement. The drains at the back have since also been replaced and the owner had a structural survey done which concludes

"We are of the opinion that the repairs and renovations undertaken should stop further progressive
movement related to this matter, and that the works have been completed in accordance with our r ecommendations. There was no other visual evidence of structural concern."

How concerned would you be/any advice?

Given that the structural survey says that there aren't any problems, I wouldn't be concerned at all. In fact, the fact that one has been done makes it a safer bet than a house with no structural survey where there could be a problem lurking undiscovered somewhere.

Get your own independent FULL structural survey stating that you've been informed of this so it highlights to look a bit closer at the structure of the property. Also, go back, have a look at the outer and inner walls for any movement, also those of the properties either side.

Forgot to say, that structural survey is theirs and I suspect you will have little comeback on it if it's wrong, whereas if you've employed a structural engineer/survey you'll be covered by their indemnity insurance if it's clear they've got it wrong.

A corner of our house was rebuilt in the 80s due to a drain collapsing. To be honest I'm pretty sure the house has movement but so does our entire street as it was built on a quarry. I don't really worry about it. The surveyor signed it all off and said there was nothing concerning so I've decided that's that.

I would get my own survey to confirm what theirs said and I would also get some home insurance quotes to check that premiums aren't higher as a result of the previous movement.

Thanks everyone. We will definitely get a full survey done if proceeding.

On the insurance - on the online quotes where there is a question about if the house has ever suffered subsidence this seems to be a yes/no with no consideration of when this was...do I need to ring up for a full quote/any recommendations for companies that are better with this?

Are you in contact with the seller, if so, hopefully they'll confirm who their insurers are and you could get a quote off them. I'd also contact your usual insurer for a comparison.

Make sure you highlight your concerns to your structural surveyor before they attend - and make it clear that the purpose of them visiting is to establish if this particular problem is still an issue. What you don't want is a wishy washy answer saying we recommend "such and such" a further survey.