On Wednesday, 15 July 2015 14:55:12 UTC+1, Tim Watts wrote:
On 15/07/15 13:09, nt wrote:

Surveys seem to be almost valueless in most cases. You get a list of
disclaimers that leave more or less nothing of value. If examination
has revealed no signs of structural problems, no flying freehold, the
taps work etc, what really will a survey add. Other than interpreting
some structural issues the rest its not hard to check yourself.

I've had surveys pick up stuff and occasionally provide additional info
that was interesting.

However, they are not really good value for money. An EICR costs about
1/3 of a full survey and gives you full circuit tests and a sample of
inspections. Can still miss things though - but the overall picture is
pretty accurate.

I doubt an EICR would change my mind re purchasing a house. Whether the wiring's modern or archaic might, but a naked eye can see that easily.


Same goes for the usual house risks, eg flood, mining subsidence,
explosion etc.

I think you need to know something more than that. There's new neat
unsafe wiring and old mucky safe wiring. Take a pic of the CU & board
and show us.

Indeed.

And there's really ****ty old wiring and wiring with sheaths cut back,
bits of lead cable, rubber cable (I have seen both in houses I looked at
a few years ago).

Walk around the floors and look for bouncy or wobbly bits.

If you find those, interpretation is still needed.

Yes - but if you do, you know that you need to look harder. Is it a
loose board or a rotten joist?

or just a light but safe structure


If you think it could do with an immediate paintjob, I recommend
paying for moving with a few days storage as a buffer and getting
the place hit in one go by the painters.

Can the OP not paint?

DIY painting vs storage costs? Another "just sayin". if the place is
sound but grubby, it could be very attractive to get it hit with a full
inside paintjob just before you move in rather than spin it out for
months. If it is OK-ish, then not.

If you want. House buying is usually a money-tight time though, so usually a good time to diy.


NT