Underpinning

[sinbadp]

I am having a look at a house this evening which is in the middle of a row of terraced victorian cottages.
The asking price is �145,000 cash buyers only as the whole row have suffered from subsidence. The houses on either side have been underpinned.
One of the houses on the end has been updated very nicely and is on the market for �210,000.
The selling agent thought that if I underpinned and updated the interior the house should fetch �200,000
and told me that underpinning is approx �600 per metre.
Any advice on whether if a house is underpinned will mortgage companies be reluctant to lend to a future buyer ? and also in principle should I consider buying if I pay for a structural survey?

[barb1314]

Hi,not too up on underpinning but just wanted to let you know that we actually had a structural ENGINEER look at out 1790 house (one who knew old buildings) before we bought it.We sort of bypassed the structural survey because normally when they do a report they tell you to get all sorts of tradesmen in anyway.(A lot of whom don't understand the movement in old buildings)Our report was very in depth and cost about �400 plus VAT.Maybe you could give one in your area a call.I'm sure they would know.Good luck.Sorry not to be of more help.

[sinbadp]

Thanks Barb I am interested in peoples previous experience with old buildings

[jake-the-peg]

I live in a thatched cottage from about 1680 and would strongly agree that you shouldn't let a surveyor without experience of old houses within 100 feet of a period house.

We got a recommendation through SPAB http://www.spab.org.uk.

They are a really good source of advice on old houses try their technical help line:

Monday, Tuesday Thursday and Friday - 020 7456 0916
Wednesday - 020 7043 1075

[sinbadp]

excellent jake thanks for that