Cracking idea, or crackers.

[Dizzydalek]

Hi All,

Turning to you knowledgable lot for a bit of info on what could be a major issue or just some cracked render.. and I've no idea how to tell the difference

I've been to look at a cottage by the sea, and it's all too good to be true, apart from one fairly big issue round the back. I've attached a couple of photos for your viewing pleasure.

The property is rendered granite not brick, which is probably relevant. It was built in the mid 1800s so it's been there for a while. I've tried without success to get someone local to the cottage to go for a look-see but no joy so thought Ithere was no harm in asking what you lot thought.

I never thought to take better photos, who thought getting a builder would be such hard work

The white lines are silicon, by the way... and I thought I was a bodger.

Photos attached, opinions welcome.

Cheers

Iain

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Builders will only be interested once you've bought the place.

 

[Dizzydalek]

Builders will only be interested once you've bought the place.

Yeah.

I was hoping to have someone lined up before I did just in case that crack is going to be terminal.

Iain

 

[jj4091]

It's too good to be true makes me think you have serious doubts about it and nothing can be said from those pics. apart from it needs a lot of remedial work. Is it very cheap? Is there any danger of it falling into the sea?
You really need to get professional advice from a surveyor, preferably a full structural survey, if you can't get a builder, the same as you would with any property of that age.

 

[noseall]

Hi All,

Turning to you knowledgable lot for a bit of info on what could be a major issue or just some cracked render.. and I've no idea how to tell the difference

I've been to look at a cottage by the sea, and it's all too good to be true, apart from one fairly big issue round the back. I've attached a couple of photos for your viewing pleasure.

The property is rendered granite not brick, which is probably relevant. It was built in the mid 1800s so it's been there for a while. I've tried without success to get someone local to the cottage to go for a look-see but no joy so thought Ithere was no harm in asking what you lot thought.

I never thought to take better photos, who thought getting a builder would be such hard work

The white lines are silicon, by the way... and I thought I was a bodger.

Photos attached, opinions welcome.

Cheers

Iain

Stone built properties are notoriously ill behaved in terms of general flexibility. Couple that with the fact that someone has gone and covered over any clues that might have told a tale, with dashed render.

Is the crack visible on the interior too?

 

[Dizzydalek]

Stone built properties are notoriously ill behaved in terms of general ,flexibility. Couple that with the fact that someone has gone and covered over any clues that might have told a tale, with dashed render.

Is the crack visible on the interior too?

Not been able to get inside yet, but I guess that'll be the big clue

Sales agents are being a bit crap.. what a surprise.

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

It looks like the (most recent) movement is horizontal only, so hopefully not the end of the world.

I once viewed a bungalow where two corners had fallen downwards.

I would normally steer clear of rendered, but who can't resist a bargain. Render is inevitable in some coastal locations, just for weatherproofing. It's often used on houses that don't need it purely to hide issues. So if it's on the coast then at least there's an excuse.

 

[Dizzydalek]

It looks like the (most recent) movement is horizontal only, so hopefully not the end of the world.

I once viewed a bungalow where two corners had fallen downwards.

I would normally steer clear of rendered, but who can't resist a bargain. Render is inevitable in some coastal locations, just for weatherproofing. It's often used on houses that don't need it purely to hide issues. So if it's on the coast then at least there's an excuse.

Thanks! The village houses are all made of Granite but a few of them are rendered, which is a pity as the granite looks nice.

The agents are being really unhelpful, and with not permitting an internal inspection I'm beginning to think they're hiding something. The home report has lots of "don't buy before doing this inspection" comments, which don't worry me as much as not knowing until you get the keys that the crack goes all the way through.

Iain

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

I looked at another one that was also a big bungalow. It had some cracks outside, mostly downwards from the bottom corners of the windows. Inside it had cracks you could stick your finger in at each end of every internal door lintel. The place was an utter disaster zone, I was told the seller was the son whose parents had moved out. I suspect for their own safety.

I told the agent it was worth the value of the land minus demolition cost, say £50k, not the £250k they were asking. Some muppet bought it, has tarted it up and presumably has a mega-pack of filler he keep squishing into the ever-widening gaps.

Don't even think about buying without seeing inside. Let someone else get shackled if that's their game - they definitely will find a mug eventually.

 

[Dizzydalek]

I looked at another one that was also a big bungalow. It had some cracks outside, mostly downwards from the bottom corners of the windows. Inside it had cracks you could stick your finger in at each end of every internal door lintel. The place was an utter disaster zone, I was told the seller was the son whose parents had moved out. I suspect for their own safety.

I told the agent it was worth the value of the land minus demolition cost, say £50k, not the £250k they were asking. Some muppet bought it, has tarted it up and presumably has a mega-pack of filler he keep squishing into the ever-widening gaps.

Don't even think about buying without seeing inside. Let someone else get shackled if that's their game - they definitely will find a mug eventually.

Yeah, I think that's the game they're playing. I can't imagine buying somewhere and not at least looking inside first, and I can't imagine the sellers not letting you look inside unless they know there are mega problems and they're just trying to con some poor bugger.

Some one will buy it, it's a nice wee house beside the seaside.

Iain

 

[Dizzydalek]

It's too good to be true makes me think you have serious doubts about it and nothing can be said from those pics. apart from it needs a lot of remedial work. Is it very cheap? Is there any danger of it falling into the sea?
You really need to get professional advice from a surveyor, preferably a full structural survey, if you can't get a builder, the same as you would with any property of that age.

They're ignoring my requests to get a look inside, so I think they're at it.