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We've put in an offer on a house. It's a conversion of some old stables being completed by a local building company that we know well.
I can't make my mind up whether or not to have a building survey done. Partly it's the cost; mainly it's that the ones I've seen previously didn't really tell meet anything I hadn't worked out myself. Apparently there's a thing called a snagging survey too...
We don't need a mortgage. The house is in the Yorkshire Dales national park and is grade 2 listed, if that makes any difference.
Anyone with any experience or advice they'd like to share please?
conversion of some old stables
is grade 2 listed
That would make me more nervous otherwise IMHO wouldn't bother with a building survey as long as you know what you are looking for with older buildings.
I'll go the other way.
Newly built conversion of some existing decay.
Unless you are in the trade. I'll take a survey please.
It's very different to looking at new build cardboard box.
That said I'd not just be going for a.surveyor at the top of the yellow pages I'd be looking for one specialising in conversions/old buildings.
You will want a conservation accredited building surveyor.
It may not be a conservation renovation but they will be conversant with the materials that have or should have been used in older buildings
Personally I would be keen to know that in a complete change of personal circumstances, my asset was sellable
I'd certainly get the snagging survey as well, unless you've got a good eye for spotting bodges
Thanks all. So being a cheapskate doesn't seem the way to go!
Just make sure you speak to the surveyor and agree their scope clearly.
Also agree any caveats and limitations they intend to pur into report before you start.
Finally, if conversion is finished ask for:
BR sign off
Listed consent, its conditions and sign off
Planning permission, its conditions and sign off
If not complete then i would ask to see these documents understand what the conditions are and where the developer is with those and pass to surveyor for review on site.
Hope this helps,
A surveyor!
I’d certainly get the snagging survey as well, unless you’ve got a good eye for spotting bodges
and as much as anything it's the cost or rectifying bodges...
That said, I paid for a structural survey and that was complete rubbish.. they didn't even note a gas fire was gas (listed as electric on the survey) - that's not the biggest issue, there are lots .. I'm mentioning it as its indicative of how much attention to detail.
Having got part-through the purchase of a barn conversion many years ago I’d be wanting to see the planning conditions plus the architects and Building Control sign-offs. We found at that many of the planning conditions E.g. metal vs plastic rainwater goods (it was a big property) and SE sign-offs were missing, there was some cracking under the main RSJ holding up the roof and the potential costs of rectification would become a purchaser’s liability.