Hi all, I just wanted to ask people more experienced in these areas than myself for some advice on a recent survey we’ve had done for a potential purchase.
We were aware that there was damp in the top room on both side walls that we assumed were related to the chimney flashings and indeed this was confirmed by the surveyor.
He also said that;
“The main roof is pitched and covered with slates. Slate coverings have a life expectancy of about 100 years although this can vary quite widely. Old slate roofs can be repaired when slates break or slip but eventually repair will become
uneconomic or impractical. The roof covering is old and entering the latter stages of its performance life. Some
slates have slipped and are broken. The ridge is in need of repointing. This should be treated as urgent to avoid further damage. If repairs are not carried out within a reasonable time the defect could become worse. You should obtain estimates before a commitment to purchase. Given the age and condition of the roof , you may wish to obtain quotes for replacement as ongoing maintenance of an old roof covering is likely to prove expensive in the long term”
The above was put under RICS cat. 3 – Red meaning an urgent repair was needed.
My question really is around whether I can just repair the broken/slipped tiles when we get the flashings sorted which I’m told will be around £1500 or do as the surveyor ‘suggests’ and do the whole thing which is more like £9000. I guess it’s hard for you to tell really based on not being able to see, I hope to put some pictures up when I’m back at home tonight.
It’s just irked me a bit as it seems to me he has seen the age of the house (1920), seen a couple of slipped tiles and come to the conclusion that they’ll probably all be knackered and it's a big call as it’s a hell of a big job and could cause us to pull out of the purchase if the Vendor isn’t willing to assist (which she doesn’t need to, especially as the house was valued at what we’re paying for it)
It’s terms like ‘reasonable time’ and ‘could get worse’ that are misleading, the house is perfect for us and I’m inclined to get the bits repaired in the short term and see how we get on but then I’m a nobody and a ‘specialist’ is telling me otherwise… HELP!
We were aware that there was damp in the top room on both side walls that we assumed were related to the chimney flashings and indeed this was confirmed by the surveyor.
He also said that;
“The main roof is pitched and covered with slates. Slate coverings have a life expectancy of about 100 years although this can vary quite widely. Old slate roofs can be repaired when slates break or slip but eventually repair will become
uneconomic or impractical. The roof covering is old and entering the latter stages of its performance life. Some
slates have slipped and are broken. The ridge is in need of repointing. This should be treated as urgent to avoid further damage. If repairs are not carried out within a reasonable time the defect could become worse. You should obtain estimates before a commitment to purchase. Given the age and condition of the roof , you may wish to obtain quotes for replacement as ongoing maintenance of an old roof covering is likely to prove expensive in the long term”
The above was put under RICS cat. 3 – Red meaning an urgent repair was needed.
My question really is around whether I can just repair the broken/slipped tiles when we get the flashings sorted which I’m told will be around £1500 or do as the surveyor ‘suggests’ and do the whole thing which is more like £9000. I guess it’s hard for you to tell really based on not being able to see, I hope to put some pictures up when I’m back at home tonight.
It’s just irked me a bit as it seems to me he has seen the age of the house (1920), seen a couple of slipped tiles and come to the conclusion that they’ll probably all be knackered and it's a big call as it’s a hell of a big job and could cause us to pull out of the purchase if the Vendor isn’t willing to assist (which she doesn’t need to, especially as the house was valued at what we’re paying for it)
It’s terms like ‘reasonable time’ and ‘could get worse’ that are misleading, the house is perfect for us and I’m inclined to get the bits repaired in the short term and see how we get on but then I’m a nobody and a ‘specialist’ is telling me otherwise… HELP!