First survey done, Can someone help a little?

[Hightowermark]

Just had out Survey back got the Homebuyers One. and my god it's 15/18 pages long.

In the summary bit, they have put these points

1) Repairs and Attention to Staircase Balustrading (What is this?)
2) Repairs to Ground floor Slabs
3) Structural Engineers comment on movement to walls, floor and roof deflection.
4) Specialist repost on timber decay (this is only the skirting boards in the main room)
5) Specialist report into rising dampness
6) Investigation abensence of support chimney breast withing roof space.
7) Specialist test on Gas
8) Specialist test on underground drainage system.

Ok never bought a house before and this is our first survey.

Gonna show my mum & dad when they get home, and going back up there next week for a few hours to go though all the points made.

There's also little points like they could'nt find the outside stop cock.

We're a little worried as it's such a long report and never seen anything like this.

another thing they have vauled it 10k under the asking price and 7k what we offered, so we know this is gonna have to change.

But is there any help advice you can offer.

thanks

 

[breezer]

others may wish to add, but items 1 & 2 say the items want repairing
(one is the "bars on the side of the stairs" the other is some slabs on the ground?)

the remainder is a polite way of saying he doesnt have a clue or not qualified to say, ie "specialist report into rising damp" means that there is alegedly rising damp, but he is not qualified to comment other than he has seen it.

may i suggest you search these forums for "rising damp" it may help you

Welcome to the forums

 

[Hightowermark]

Thanks Breezer. And thanks for the welcome.

I have know been thought it with some of the family, and most of it is nit picking (which is what we wanted).

We know one is the railing for thr stairs, does anyone know why this is so important? (We are gonna get it done asap, but just wondered).

Also could it be that the floors are not level, and therefore thinking it's sinking.

Here is the direct quote:

Evidence of movement was observed in the form of sloping floors and cracking to both wallls and cellings but most particualray to the area where the internal walls join with the external gabel. This appears siginficant and likely to be progressive.

Ok we did notice the cracks when viewing, as the house was empty when viewing. Maybe that's the cause for the dampness.

But these arent huge cracks, about approx 1-2mm if that, are these likely to affect anything, or can we just fill these in.

I know we need a guy to look at this, but need to know if the house is gonna fall down.

we're a little scared about this survey havent seen anything like this before, but my step-dad said our house was the same and they have to cover EVERY little thing as that is what you have paid for.

Thanks Everyone

 

[IanDB]

I think one of the most frustrating things is getting a survey report that just leaves you with a whole load of questions and no answers.

If the report is hinting at the possibility of ground movement (as it appears to) there should be a record of it within the local area. Any surveyor worth his salt should know whether there is a history of problems in your particular location. Insurance companies definitely will as they will have had to pay out for claims and may load your policy as well. There's a few other recent posts in the forum about underpinning and what it involves. If you're looking to buy a property and it needs this sort of work it's going to involve a lot of work and cost.

I'd also be a bit worried about the comment on checking the absence of a support for the removed chimney breast - it could mean that somebody's taken the breast out without supporting the stack above it, again more cost and work.

If you're not put off by what you've heard so far I would suggest you get a proper structural survey done by someone who's going to tell you what to do to fix things. It's always better to have the full picture before you buy the place rather than find out later - at least you can make your decision objectively.

Good luck!!

 

[Hightowermark]

Thanks for the help.

We have now noticed that the roof has had tiles put on it, but it's only ment to have slates on it, so that will need support.

The Chimey is on the extension and next doors, but this will need support, but it's not either of the main one's as it's in the kitchen.

We are getting a builder friend around tomorrow and we can get in the house without the estate agent being there. And see what it really needs done.

How do i find out of movement in the area

 

[IanDB]

Surf around the web for more info. There is a site: here which apparently will give you free information about subsidence in areas by postcode but unfortunately it's not working today (probably subsided).

There is also a page here that explains a bit more about what you get for your money.

From experience, the more you can find out before you buy the better. It's good to get friends to offer advice but if anything goes wrong, or they miss something you don't really have any comeback. If you get a professional in to do the job you should get a comprehensive report - a bit spent now could save you a lot later on.