"Peter Crosland" wrote in message ...

What I'm now mulling over is, if I was to commission a structural
survey now which would hopefully confirm that 10 years on, the
building is perfectly sound; together with the above certificate which
presumably guarantees the underpinning work carried out; wouldn't this
serve to convince any prospective buyers that there wasn't a problem?
Or am I nuts even to be considering this?

(I do appreciate there could be problems with obtaining insurance; I'm
looking into that issue separately.)

I live in a bungalow that was underpinned before I bought it. The work was
done under the supervision of a firm that are still in business and who were
most helpful in providing details. The sole problem I have encountered has
been the reluctance of many insurers to take the business. If you can get
that sorted out then fine. Otherwise walk away!

Just thought I'd follow this up in case anyone's interested (as if!)

Having been 'reassured' by the estate agent that the current owner had
never had any problems with insurance, I chased up the present
insurers (on the basis that with underpinned houses continuity of
insurers is pretty important, if not vital) and found that under no
circumstances would they be willing to reinsure it for me, or to
transfer the existing policy to me etc. Most other insurers gave me a
straight 'no'; only one indicated they would 'probably' take it on,
but at a premium about 10 times normal.

So I have duly walked away...

David