CubicYard1
Registered User
- Messages
- 31
A surveyor (yours or the mortgage companys) can comment only on what is accessible. Unless you had a full structural survey (which costs a lot of money and involves getting into the loft, lifting carpets and floorboards, analysing borings from joists etc.) then the surveyor essentially confirms 'yes, this is the house specified in the documents, in the location specified, and it is a house (i.e. not a field, or a barn etc.)
Unfortunately the problems which have come to light are 'par for the course' of property ownership. Insurance does not cover refurbishment (which is what your builder appears to be recommending). Given the 'knock it down and build again' comment (which seems rather extreme to be honest!) don't you feel a need for a second opinion from another builder..........or, even at this late stage, a structural survey by a building surveyor which would elicit some specialist advice? It would certainly be cheaper than a total rebuild?
Hi,
I bought an old house in Co. Limerick and lived in it for past 2 years - I have just started to renovate it. We left the house and the builder ripped out all the internals (kitchens, bathrooms, carpets etc) - he found some alarming problems ;
There is dry rot in some of the joists. A bathroom leak seems to be the main cause.
There is a small porch which needed a new ceiling but he found dampness and rot in some of the rafters above. The whole porch needs to be completely re-roofed.
Some areas of the downstairs floors are showing signs of damp which need investigation.
Some floorboards upstairs are rotten - cause unknown.
I was in a state of shock when I saw all this but I expected some of it.
I am just wondering where I stand in terms of :
1) The previous owner must have been aware of some of these problems as they have been covered up or disguised - is he liable ?
2) A lot of the damage is obviously over 2 years old - if I put in an insurance claim, what will they say ? Or would they come out and codemn it and cancel my insurance ?!
3) If I fix the most obvious stuff (i.e. the rotting joists that I have seen so far) and patch the house up again, am I liable if I sell and new owers discover problems down the line ?
My builder said if it were his house, he would knock it and rebuild but thats not an option. I intend fixing it as best I can and living in it because I love the area/site/house but if I still have problems, I will sell it.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Yes, had a survey done. he spotted a few things but nothing drastic.
There were people living in the house so he couldn't rip up floorboards and carpets to look at joists or pull down ceilings to look at rafter.
I think a surveyor is only liable for things he can see ?
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