Hi

Apologies about the detail, I'm hoping that some experts here might
have some experience of specific problems and so might be able to give
me an idea of specific costs!

We have had the results of a survey on a house, and I'm trying to
figure out the costs that would be associated with the more urgent
repairs (or any of the other costs if anyone who reads this is in the
know!), plus see if anyone would have advice on how we should proceed.

The background is...
We offered and were accepted 12.5k below the asking price of a property
(the local market has dropped over 5% in the last six months and we
felt the house was extremely overvalued in the current unstable market,
after research on similar properties in the immediate vicinity).The
vendor has stated that they won't negotiate, even though our survey
estimates the price we offered is still 3k over market value and has
stated some work should be carried out before we complete.

The more immediate recommendations we
- Damp in several areas - under guarantee from 2001 (vendors)
- Slight evidence of wall tie corrosion (due to black ash composition)
- slight horizontal cracking - need specialist to check whether these
need to be replaced (quite a tall Edwardian semi, may require
scaffolding. Not sure of costs.
- Roof original and missing quite a few (slipped) slates.Again might
need scaffolding so not sure of costs)
- Timber valley guttering - clearing/renewing or resealing on rear
elevation, general overhaul for all house required. Some internal
evidence of water staining to timber valley gutter.
- Need drains specialist - partly blocked rear drain with no grate.
Discussed with vendors who say it does wash away but we need to check
this out as I believe if there's a problem it would be an expensive
job!

Less immediate stuff
- Master bedroom ceiling bowed and cracked and will come down at some
point, needs replacing/overboarding - is this expensive?
- Other stuff that we can deal with in the longer term: Bricking up
party wall gaps, deteriorating unused chimney stack,Undersized rear
purlins (it is an old house!),Unsatisfactory triangulation of roof
structure (ie bit of roof spread - again old house, unsurprised),cement
torching on underslide of slates missing,defective flashing or pointing
on 2 chimneys inside roof space,attic winder treads to be replaced.

We've sold and will be exchanging with first time buyers (and hope to
not go into rented) and we have already pulled on a previous house due
to a very worrying survey and vendors again not wanting to negotiate.
My negotiation skills are obviously not up to scratch, so any advice
would be appreciated on costs OR negotiation!!

Also, does anyone know of any reasonably priced experts/builders in
South Yorks?!

Tigs