Taking builders on second viewings.

[Comff]

I’m interested in a property that I’d like to knock a wall down in. So I thought I’d ask a builder whether they can come along to the second viewing with me? Do I just call
builders and ask if they’ll come along to give me a quote, simple as that?

My second question is:
There’s a damp smell. I had a really good look for the source but couldn’t see anything obvious, or any damp. I’m assuming the builder can’t tell me about that and it will have to wait for a survey. Or can I take a damp specialist to the viewing too?

Hmmm - I’d only be taking builders/architects around to a property if I knew I was definitely buying the property.

The damp issue will come up in the survey if you wish to proceed with the sale.

A random builder probably won't be interested in spending his time quoting on a property you don't own. A builder you know might do it, or you could offer to pay for his time.

Exactly that too.
As a vendor, I’d find it somewhat uncomfortable that you’re bringing tradespeople into my home to discuss doing building work on a property that they’ve actually not made an offer on…

We did this but only close to exchange. As a vendor I wouldn’t like this unless an offer has been accepted.

A good builder with knowledge of local property can probably tell you what steels you'll need if it's a supporting wall, but you're likely to need a structural engineer's calcs for building control and to get their sign off for removing the wall.

I don't think there's much point trying to take a builder along when you've not even made an offer. If you have a friend or family member in the trade then that might be sensible if you are thinking of making changes. Bear in mind that the seller might be pissed off by your trooping others round at this stage and although selling houses is business, a lot of people are emotionally attached to their homes, proud of what they've done to them and you'll potentially get their backs up openly discussing knocking down walls.

I'd say it's a hard one to call. If the offer depends on a builder giving you an idea of whether you can afford to do what you want/need to make the property your own, then it wouldn't bother me. You'll probably find at this stage it'd be reasonable to pay the builder for his time.

If it smells damp, I'd play ignorance and make whatever offer is right for you. Then if your survey comes up with something on it, you might be able to negotiate a reduction is it's expensive - would be better to have a full survey though as that'll throw more weight behind any reduction.

For any major building work though - I’d have at least 100-150k in a pot to get the work completed.

You can visualise from floor plans and photos work to be done. Builders (any reputable ones) will have sound knowledge. Don’t take a builder with you. You’ll piss the vendor off.

The property is empty and run down (was previously rented but not for a while) and is being marketed as a project. I wouldn’t walk into an obviously lived in home with the vendor present and talk about what I’d change.

But points noted, I won’t take a builder round.

You should really take one, but I doubt you’ll find one willing to go unless you know them or pay them.

My big concern would be simply the logistics of trying to get a builder to turn up within a very tight window when the estate agent was available to give you access.

We took a builder to a second viewing. We were totally upfront with him that we didn't know if we were definitely making an offer and we didn't want a full quite but just a ballpark figure for what we wanted to do and confirmation it was possible.

Checked with vendors they didn't mind either. I wouldn't mind it if I was selling although I'd probably not want to be there to hear the conversation

Could you video it on your phone?

I did this a good 20 years ago. We really wanted the house but ONLY if we could do this particular bit of building work (convert loft to extra bedroom). We paid a builder to come on viewing with us. Result, the work wasn't feasible so sadly we didn't buy the lovely house.

If it’s empty I can’t see a problem at all. I’ve done this several times. The agent won’t care. If you don’t buy it they have extra info for the next viewers. If you can find a builder willing to quote they may well have some ideas about the damp - but if you think it’s an issue get a damp specialist in as well. You need to know the costs before you make an offer, in case you can’t afford it. Having moved a lot, as a seller, it wouldn’t bother me particularly either.

My Dad was a builder and he came on viewings and sported a great deal that our full survey failed to notice and then issues they would probably never have even commented on, but all would cost money and a great deal of aggro. He picked up crumbling brickwork, a drain that had failed, misaligned doors and I could go on. I would take a builder and that's instead of a surveyor, not to look at work that needs doing, but to properly access the condition of the building. We paid for two full surveys that were not worth the money and one missed bricks that had come adrift and said they were impossible to see - we found them by lifting the loft hatch in a cottage ceiling only 6' above floor level. Could we get the money back for the significant issues he failed to see nope (small print protects them everytime), but did Dad save us buying what would have been a money pit, yep!

Whatever you do, avoid the specialist national damp proofing companies that just want to flog you chemical damp proofing. Most damp can be resolved by a good general builder improving the damp course and putting in more ventilation.

We took our builder friend with us to a second viewing before making an offer as the property was being rented and the tenants were moving anyway, so they were fine about it.

In your shoes, I definitely would want an expert's opinion but if the builder isn't a friend, or someone you know, how trustworthy are they? They might only tell you the bare bones then when you've bought the property they might 'discover' lots of other things that MUST be done to make it safe.

I'd be extremely wary of buying a do-er upper if you don't have a bottomless budget or experience of managing a building project as even the most straightforward project will likely throw up unexpected problems.

Good luck lol.

I have an offer accepted, surveys done, cash in hand and ready to go but held up by the sellers. I have contacted countless builders, non will even consider viewing it until the inks dry and the keys are in my hand. Most won't even respond, they assume its some kind of scam like trying to get a 'free survey' done.

I already had a survey (which I sent to several of the builders, it includes details and photos so they don't even have to come out) I just need rough quotes for the work and would love to have a builder ready to go when we actually get the keys but its bloody impossible.

Makes drawing up the budget hard work too.

Why not try. I know builders who would be happy to come along for a Quick Look -
I'd offer to pay a flat rate to come. I would ask for a quote just general advice.
I'd also have it properly surveyed.

If the property is empty the sellers might be happy for you to bring people around. It shows you are serious and it's better for you to know if the property is a good candidate for you now rather than later.