Survey Problems Found

[josadler7]

Just had a survey done on a new build one off house we were hoping to buy and got some bad feedback:

• Laminate flooring in hall is lifting
• The render level is below the damp course
• Lounge wall shows significant damp from measuring instrument
• Ventilation blocks fully/partially obscured front and rear
• Garage wall only half brick and no cross member, it supports the en-suite on the first floor
• Fireproof course has been cut away in garage this would not meeting building control but vendor claims he has full bc
• Render is cracked on 2nd floor

What should I do? My partner loves the place and will be heartbroken if we pull out…

Thanks
J

[woofgang]

oh run...do not walk...in the opposite direction....houses are things of bricks and mortar...you use things and love people!

[diddlydo]

Don't touch it with a bargepole - things will only get worse.

[The Builder]

If it's any help, Jo ............

1 Laminate.......... lifting because it's thin, and very cheap. Ask them to rip it up and throw it away.

2 Render.......... not good practice, but a minor point since I guess it's a cavity wall.

3 Damp on lounge wall ........... empty house at the wettest time of the year, and consistent diabolical weather......... any wall would show damp with one of those ridiculous meters. I would be very surprised if the dampcourse has failed, or was omitted. Surveyors love those meters. It's honestly a substitute for proper assessment.

4 Vents can be cleared... ask them to do it.

5 Garage .......... would have been OKed by the Building Inspector. It should be shown like that on the submitted drawings. It's down to the Inspector, that one. If he's happy, then no worries.

6 Sorry, I don't understand this one, but, Building Control will confirm if OK.

7 Shrinkage cracks most likely........... or possibly stress fractures between lintels (window/door openings.) .......... sadly not uncommon. The important thing to remember is that they rarely go through to the underlying masonry. A good look by someone sensible should determine the extent of the cracking

I've lost count of the times I've gone over a house after a survey, only to discount most, if not all of their findings. They are simply covering themselves as usual.

It's a sad thing today that responsibility is passed on by so many. Fear of litigation,of course, is why.

Take a trusted builder/surveyor of your own along for a candid, no-nonsense assessment. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Good luck.

ps Your solicitor will ask them for the Building Regs Approval. They're in deep water if they try to sell without.

[Gizmonster]

.... now I'm not saying that there def aren't any problems here (I think The Builder has posted a good reply), but I think that surveyors tend to be over zealous sometimes. They need to cover their back, so if they find a problem, they'll mention it and make it seem 10 times worse. Can you imagine if there was a spot of mildew and there was no hint of any potential damp problems mentioned in the survey ..... then you buy the house and a few months later you discover that the house has damp ...... I'm sure you'd have some claim on the surveyor, possibly ??
I remember when we bought our current house approx 8 years ago. According to the survey, the house was about to fall down and was riddled with damp .... I hope I'm not tempting fate here, but we're still waiting for the damp to take hold and the house is still standing.

[josadler7]

Thank you - Builder, sorry I should have been clearer, they've installed a new garage door mechanishm and cut away the fire proofing to do it.
Definately doesn't meet building regs.
I agree with your points, I'm likely to lose 2-3k if I walk away which could be the best thing to do, after I have the full report I will consult the vendor, point 4 is probably the greatest concern and struck me as odd when last viewed so I asked the surveyor to check it. I doubt the vendor will accept most of these points and make any allowance, recently he has been less than helpful with other minor issues.