Post 1st viewing, some potential issues with potential new home! Where you find out how much to fix?

[Littlebeausheepish]

We have just viewed a house we really like, but there are a few bits that made us pause hairline cracks around a window, possible damp patch in the hallway, and the electrics look a bit dated.

Before we get too far down the line, I’m trying to work out how people figure out what these things might cost to fix. Do you just ask a builder to come round pre-offer? Or do you wait for the survey and risk it? Also any tools that people would use or even good forums, I have seen people use Google Lens, Chatgpt, Brickwise or even Resi, has anyone used these?

We are not super up to speed with what to do or with DIY so trying to avoid a money pit! Any tips or lessons learned welcome.

Pay for a full survey from a qualified building survey. Well qualified and experienced ones will be able to make estimates and give caution or comfort to the level of work needed.

personally I think there’s little point getting a builder around to look at minor items, when a survey might tell you the whole roof needs replacing

I think you’ll be hard pushed to get a builder to look around a property you don’t yet and might not own. You just need to consider how much you want the house to take it further with these issues.

Hairline cracks may just be minor, solved with a bit of filler. A decent survey should pick up anything more sinister. Ask if the vendor has had a recent electric safety check/certificate, otherwise you can pay this further down the line. The damp - how long is a piece of string! Are there any obvious causes? It could be a leaky drain pipe, could be major - again a survey/ specialist damp survey should tell you more. Essentially you’ll have to pay more to find out more!