Asbestos survey - Management Survey v Refurbishment Survey

[hubertbloom]

I'm buying a house and planning to do it up myself so a lot of DIY. Its 1960's build so prime asbestos years. I want to get an asbestos survey done for piece of mind. I will walk away from the sale if any asbestos is actually found. Spoken to various surveyors and there seems to be two types of survey, a 'management survey' which is non invasive and a 'refurbishment survey' which involves taking samples poking holes in the walls etc.

Obviously the seller will be reluctant to agree to the more invasive version of the survey.

My question is: Is it worth the hassle of pressing them to agree to the more detailed and invasive survey? Is the less invasive survey worth the paper it is written on?

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

You sound like a dream buyer.

 

[jj4091]

The last time I was involved in moving house there was actually 3 types of survey.
1) Survey for valuation purposes only
2) A quick look round to ensure there were no glaringly obvious stuctural faults
3) A full structural survey which included either lifting carpets or going under a suspended floor. Physically checking closely all wood work ( skirtings , door casings, windows etc.) for rot or infestation. Checking attic for roof condition. Checkingfor damp through out, especiallyy cellars. Garden for the proximity of possible problem trees. Drains. Exterior construction for cracks, shrinkage, subsidence, missing or broken bricks, DPC if visible. Gutters and downspouts. Electrical accessories.
In fact everything to tell you the real condition of the property. In my opinion this is the only one that is actually worth paying money for as the others are just superficial things you could do yourself
Never heard of know how the presence of asbestos would be discovered and have never heard of an asbestos survey.

 

[hubertbloom]

The last time I was involved in moving house there was actually 3 types of survey.
1) Survey for valuation purposes only
2) A quick look round to ensure there were no glaringly obvious stuctural faults
3) A full structural survey which included either lifting carpets or going under a suspended floor. Physically checking closely all wood work ( skirtings , door casings, windows etc.) for rot or infestation. Checking attic for roof condition. Checkingfor damp through out, especiallyy cellars. Garden for the proximity of possible problem trees. Drains. Exterior construction for cracks, shrinkage, subsidence, missing or broken bricks, DPC if visible. Gutters and downspouts. Electrical accessories.
In fact everything to tell you the real condition of the property. In my opinion this is the only one that is actually worth paying money for as the others are just superficial things you could do yourself
Never heard of know how the presence of asbestos would be discovered and have never heard of an asbestos survey.

I don't understand you. You took the time to make a post on a thread to inform the world that you never heard of the topic of the thread. Why do this?

 

[denso13]

Is the less invasive survey worth the paper it is written on?

No, if you are planning any work as you'll then need a refurb survey anyway.

I will walk away from the sale if any asbestos is actually found

Bit extreme, asbestos in domestic properties is usually fairly simple to deal with.

Obviously the seller will be reluctant to agree to the more invasive version of the survey.

I wouldn't allow it but I suppose you can ask.

 

[jj4091]

I don't understand you. You took the time to make a post on a thread to inform the world that you never heard of the topic of the thread. Why do this?

Because after seeing your post and searching for what was involved and reading how they were carried out I get the impression that they are for people who already own the property and not potential purchasers. So I tried to give you an idea what it was realistic to expect a seller to agree to not having holes drilled into and lumps taken out of their property by someone who might never proceed with the purchase.
The full structural survey may point out that there are Artex ceiilngs with the possibilty of it containing Asbestos but would not make any definitive tests for it. If you tried to insist upon it being done then, unless they were desperate to sell, I think they are more than likely to tell you to sling your hook.

 

[hubertbloom]

Bit extreme, asbestos in domestic properties is usually fairly simple to deal with.

Can you expand on this? If it is throughout all the plaster then would it not be a nightmare?

 

[denso13]

You won't find asbestos in the plaster. It could be things like artex or soffit boards containing asbestos, that kind of thing, all pretty low level stuff.