surveyors reports

What exactly is the point of the surveyors report. If you read the preamble and the disclaimers, all he is basically saying is tha the house actually exists at the time he sees it. He cannot guarantee that it will be standing 5 mins later? is is worth the money, or should one take a chance and if the house looks ok, take a chance on it?

If you're happy to take a chance on several hundred thousand euro of your own money, then be my guest. If you are spending someone else's money (i.e. there is a mortgage lender involved), they will insist on a survey regardless of what you think. While of course there are no guarantees, a survey by a decent surveyor should highlight any major structural faults. If your surveyor misses something major and assuming he has professional indemnity insurance, you should be able to seek recompense through legal channels.

RainyDay said:

While of course there are no guarantees, a survey by a decent surveyor should highlight any major structural faults.

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I would have thought this is precisely the point.

Few of us have the experience required to determine whether or not the purchase is sound from a structural, electrical, plumbing, carpentry etc. etc. point of view, in much the same way as it is wise to get a mechanic to look over a second-hand car purchase it's about arming yourself with information, not about receiving guarantees.

thanks for the replies. However, the surveyor I used previously, gave a very detailed report, but if you read everything, the house was either ready to fall down or else, the exclusions conditions and preambel to his repor excluded anything that may later come to light. I asked a question regarding the central heating, and was told I needed a central heating engineer to do a further report. I asked about the septic takn ans was told i needed a plumber or such like to report on that and I asked about the electrics and was told I needed an electrical engineer! It seemed to me than, that it was simpy referring on to his friends and a money racket. If a building site foreman was to have alok at the house, he would probably be able to point out defects, although I accept he would not have any Professional liability insurance. Still, reading the surveyors report, I do not think he would have any liabiltity if the house fell down a few days post survey, given the detailed preamble paragraph which seemed to exclude all liability.

So have you tried telling the surveyor up-front exactly what areas you need covered and agreeing a price to cover all this?

Ravima said:

What exactly is the point of the surveyors report.

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Are you talking about a basic valuation survey on behalf of the lender or a detailed structural survey on behalf of the buyer?

going for new property instead. NHBG should suffice with snagging list.

thanks for all the help

Whats is (the?) NHBG? Do you mean HomeBond or something like that? In my opinion even on a new house the few hundred spent on a detailed structural survey to spot structural issues and less significant snag issues can be worth it in the long run. At the very least get somebody you know in the construction industry or with a good head for this sort of thing to do an informal survey as these issues are often not obvious to those not in the know who are more likely to spot the less significant superficial issues rather than the serious stuff.

I have someone that I know is capable of doing a very diligent job of doing a snag list on a new house.

However, I've been told by the bank to get a valuation report done - signed by a quantity surveyor.

What sort of money can I expect to pay - north Dublin - for just enough for the bank's report to be filled and stamped!

Cheers

jj

Around €127 - but usually the bank will pay for it if you play hardball.