When do I need a surveyor

Guys at what stage do I need to get a surveyor. Is it once the contract deposit is placed or before this?
Not really sure of the full process from start to finish.

Wait for contracts to issue to see if there is any reference in them to planning issues e.g. extensions, attic conversion, garage conversion. It gives the heads up to the surveyor to know what is being said about the property and what if anything specifically he should be looking for.

mf

Is the house new or second hand? The need for a suveyor is slightly difference for each case

Its a second hand house

I think it's better if you get your surveyor in before paying the full deposit (usually you pay a booking deposit of around 5k before paying the 10% deposit) and get a receipt stating it's "subject to surveyor report" in case the property is not really worthy buying. I think once you have signed the contracts there is nothing to do there if the survey is not positive.

I'd agree with Cati76, the system works on 'buyer beware'. Have a surveyor look at it before exchanging any money - he will be able to do a full report on the property and high light any issues with the structural that may need attention prior to the sale. You can then use this in negotiations with the vendor and request any defects are put right.

So I should wait until contracts are issued, then get surveyor.
Cheers

Hiya,

No, the best thing to do is after having paid the booking deposit of 5K to get the surveyor. Once you've signed the contracts and paid your 10% of purchase price you can't back out without loosing your contract deposit. So if there was anything majorly wrong with the place you'd be better off knowing before you put your contract deposit down. As this will be a substantial sum, I would not risk loosing it...

Get your surveyor before the contracts are signed. Friends of mine where buying a house, not cheap at all, and they got the report before exchanging contracts. The surveyor adviced them not to go ahead unless they were prepared to spend a lot of money in the near future trying to fix a "few" things, like roof, flooring in the kitchen, etc etc. I am looking into buying a house at the moment, and before paying any deposit (usually 10% of the property) I would get a surveyor to look into the house. We have actually put an offer and just got back the report, where it states anything that might not be in accordance with the building regulations/etc..As someone said before, it gives you some room for price negotiation. Once you sign the contract if the report is not positive, there is nothing to do

For whats it worth, and I think its largely consistent with the general view, the Survey is actually in your interest. Therefore long before contracts get it done. Each time I was looking, this was the one cost I was happy to shell out. Assume its a cost that will highlight any potential major costs that you may incur and when you sign contracts it will be too late I would have thought.