In article ,
"David Hearn" writes:

"BigWallop" wrote in message
...

"Dave" wrote in message
...
Sorry if this is not the right group.
We are in the process of buying our first house a 4 bed semi built
1950's
we
have been given the option of three different types of survey, Standard
valuation, Homebuyers report, Full structural survey and I'm not sure
which
type we would be best having as this is all very new to us, can anyone
offer
any advise please?



Hi Dave,

The best, but most expensive, is the full structure report, but this is best
left for properties that you really have your heart set on. So I'd say a
homebuyers report would suffice if your still just in the process of
looking.

I wouldn't go for any survey until you really have your heart set on a
property, and I wouldn't plan on doing more than one.

The standard valuation is just a report of decorative condition and minor
faults that can be seen on the surface.

I think, but am not totally sure, the Home Buyers report is a bit more
in-depth than the valuation, and includes a more detailed survey of the
property itself and the area in which the property sits.

The Full Structural Report really speaks for itself and includes lifting of
the corners of carpets and a lot of tapping on walls and such like. A good
survey to have done, if the property is what you want to live in for a good
few years, as it will also provide for a report on the future life
expectancy of the structure.

I had a Full Structural Report done on a 1900 house I bought, and a
Home Buyers report done on a 10 year old house I bought.

My Full Structural Report didn't include anything which would damage
existing furnishings. An example was that "it was not possible to
inspect the living room floor because of the fitted carpets, but there
is inadiquate sub-floor ventilation". When I did rip up the carpet
(which looked fine when I looked round the house, but not when I saw
it later with the room empty), I found the floor was rotten and I had
to replace the 1/3rd of it which hadn't already been replaced. However,
surveyor had covered himself.

Also, from what I've seen of the Full Structural Reports definitions given
by surveyors is that it doesn't include a valuation - so you may find you'll
still need to pay your £150 or whatever to get them to do the required
valuation for the lender. Bizarre I think - but that's what I've found in
my experience. The Homebuyer Report does include a valuation in the price
though.

I got the building society to suggest a surveyor for a full structural
(which wasn't a requirement of the building society), and then the
surveyor included a valuation for the BS and there was no additional
charge.

For the 10 year old house, the building society got the valuation done
without even asking me. When I started arranging for a Home Buyers report,
I discovered they already did the valuation, and were surprised anyone
would want anything more for a 10 year old property.

--
Andrew Gabriel