Typical price for structural survey + subsidence

Quatre Mains

Hi all
I suspect my house may have subsidence issues so I've decided to get a structural survey done. MY house is an end-of-terrace job, around 1000 sq. feet. A local firm have quoted me a price of €500+vat i.e just over €600. Is this typical? Seems a little expensive to me, as the quote states that no invasive work is done.
Also, am I right to hire my own engineer to do this before getting builder, insurance co. etc involved? I read elsewhere that its important so that if anyone claims damage is less etc you have a verified report that states otherwise. The house is 4.5 years old so AFAIK the builder is automatically responsible by law to sort it out(house is not on Homebond BTW), but again this is just from another forum, so please correct me if I'm wrong. Thanks!

sinnerboy

Johnnycabs wrote: »

Hi all
I suspect my house may have subsidence issues so I've decided to get a structural survey done. MY house is an end-of-terrace job, around 1000 sq. feet. A local firm have quoted me a price of €500+vat i.e just over €600. Is this typical? Seems a little expensive to me, as the quote states that no invasive work is done.
Also, am I right to hire my own engineer to do this before getting builder, insurance co. etc involved? I read elsewhere that its important so that if anyone claims damage is less etc you have a verified report that states otherwise. The house is 4.5 years old so AFAIK the builder is automatically responsible by law to sort it out(house is not on Homebond BTW), but again this is just from another forum, so please correct me if I'm wrong. Thanks!

The survey cost is typical . not saying you won't get cheaper - but surprised if you get a LOT cheaper . a survey of this type usually take the form of monitoring over many months , perhaps a year . "Tell Tales" in the form of clear pvc strips with red grid lines are blue tacked on to the structure in various locations and readings periodically taken . The report issues .

FIRST thing to do is contact insurance provider . They will send out a loss adjuster . After that you may sit and wait i.e. they may appoint the structural surveyor .

From experience I know that some insurance companies can play cat and mouse - i.e . let you have tender documents prepared , obtain qoutes and then say "that's too dear"

To avoid this a better strategy would be to let the insurance company take the lead .

You have not mentioned it but often in this scenario the client has a wish list of items for the contractor that are not part of insurance works ( stick a loo under stairs for example ) . Once the insurance companies contractor is on board there would be nothing to stop you asking for extra works to take place "between the two of you" i.e. separate to the insurance works

muffler

I would also be surprised if you got it cheaper.

jjahbss

Hi All,

Sorry to hear about your trouble. The price quoted is reasonable for a survey for a pre purchase inspection but generally if there is a problem that will require further work such as underpinning, the initial inspection will be carried out for free.

I know some engineers specialise in this particular line of work, as I have had problems with subsidence before. I used an engineer from Cork called WILLIE WONKA (mod edit) and he was very good. You'd find his web page easily enough, I got the impression from him that he worked all over the country.

Hope this helps,

JJAHBSS.


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