Structural Engineer for new house

Hi,
Is it normal practise to get a structural engineer to have a look at a new house? I am not talking snag.

How much does it cost? And what are the outputs of the work?

Thanks.

Tim Robbins said:

Hi,
Is it normal practise to get a structural engineer to have a look at a new house? I am not talking snag.

How much does it cost? And what are the outputs of the work?

Thanks.

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Anyone buying any property without getting it surveyed first needs their head examining though from watching the BBCs Homes Under The Hammer,not only do they not bother with a survey most don't even view before bidding successfully.

It should cost circa €330.

Most Surveyors will not let you accompany them on the inspection day,this is something I would insist on.
I have used this crowd and they get a thumbs up,he is happier if you are there on the day with him,there was very little if anything he didnt pick up on and explained it all in laymans terms on the day and a few days later with a detailed follow up report.

http://www.propertyhealthcheck.ie/

Knuttell said:

Anyone buying any property without getting it surveyed first needs their head examining though from watching the BBCs Homes Under The Hammer,not only do they not bother with a survey most don't even view before bidding successfully.

It should cost circa €330.

Most Surveyors will not let you accompany them on the inspection day,this is something I would insist on.
I have used this crowd and they get a thumbs up,he is happier if you are there on the day with him,there was very little if anything he didnt pick up on and explained it all in laymans terms on the day and a few days later with a detailed follow up report.

Click to expand...

I recently had a house I am sale agreed on surveyed and whilst the general findings were positive with regards to structural integrity, they have recommended that we get virtually everything else checked out as well.

From recommending a security contractor to come in and get the alarm code and alarm points checked, to a building and plumbing contractor to check pipes and plumbing, and electrical contractor to check wiring.

I was a bit taken aback by also this and am on a tight budget but was wondering if you had hired any other professionals in to check these things with your purchase?. Our prospective house is 30 years old, but has been very well maintained and upgraded with significant money having been spent on high quality extensions and bathrooms etc, but I'm no expert so I guess there is a small chance that the wiring and plumbing could be a total mess but it would appear unlikely.

Like you say, a structural survey is of course a necessity before a purchase but I'm wary of spending any unnecessary money! What was your own experience-did you have any of the services checked out before buying?
Thanks

Tacos said:

From recommending a security contractor to come in and get the alarm code and alarm points checked, to a building and plumbing contractor to check pipes and plumbing, and electrical contractor to check wiring.

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The chap I got to do it checked the wiring as such and was able to tell me that one socket was not wired up properly,he also highlighted poor water flow in one of the showers,however I have an inkling what the issue is,he would have checked the plumbing in and out of the water tank in both the attic and the hot press etc he found nothing there except the work of reasonably competent plumbers.

As for the alarm?most alarms will when set do there job right up to the point they go of for no reason,this could happen within the first half hour or work fine for a few days and then go off,fault finding on alarms is in my limited experience not black and white,I base this on trying to have our previously dicky alarm repaired,eventually threw my hat at it and gave up,grew increasingly irritated at the techs that the reputable alarm company sent out,each in turn eventually said that it shouldn't really be going of willy nilly but none were able to sort it.

What was your own experience-did you have any of the services checked out before buying?

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No I didn't,the report I got was pretty comprehensive then again the house I bought was 12 years old.

Personally what your are really looking from the surveyor is that the house is sound and there is nothing rotten,festering or subsiding that's gonna break you financially,it could be the best €330 you ever spend.