Survey Question- Structural or Pre Purchase?

Troy2013

Hi All,

I have long been a reader of this forum but this is only my second post- be gentle please. After two years of looking our bid has been accepted on a house that we love!! We are pinching ourselves to make sure it is real

I remember reading a topic some time ago discussing the merits of a structural survey or a pre-purchase survey and where each are done by a surveyor,engineer or architect.

The house is a 1901 property which- whilst waterproof- has seen better days and has been uninhabited for 5+ years. We had a builder look around it and know we will have to re-roof (or at least insulate& slate), dampproof, put down new floors, re-wire, re-plumb, put in heating and possibly have to go in for planning for an extension& a new location for a the septic tank.

Knowing the above, which type of survey should we look for?

I have rang two Architects this morning who referred me to Engineers so I'm not even sure if Architects provide such a service. If its not against charter rules any recommendations would be much appreciated (by PM please) for any Architect, Engineer or Surveyor that anybody used& was happy with.

Thanks.

riclad

You need a full Structural survey, look in golden pages ,house surveyor.
COSTS maybe 300-500 euro.
.
A full survey finds all the faults ,eg dry rot, leaks,things that need fixing,
repair etc
its likely there,ll be a few broken ,cracked ,tiles , that can cause
leaks water damage .
A HOUSE like that probably has next to zero insulation.
A ROOF can leak you might not see it, cos water goes thru the attic .

tiles last a long time , you may only to replace part of the roof.
A hole in a tile half a cm wide can cause a leak into the attic.
one example,

http://careypeter.goldenpages.ie/

HE,LL list the repairs needed, and cost ,or total cost approx.
eg if you use standard materials ,bricks,cement ,plaster.to bring it up to modern livable condition.

engineermike

Troy2013 wrote: »

Hi All,

I have long been a reader of this forum but this is only my second post- be gentle please. After two years of looking our bid has been accepted on a house that we love!! We are pinching ourselves to make sure it is real

I remember reading a topic some time ago discussing the merits of a structural survey or a pre-purchase survey and where each are done by a surveyor,engineer or architect.

The house is a 1901 property which- whilst waterproof- has seen better days and has been uninhabited for 5+ years. We had a builder look around it and know we will have to re-roof (or at least insulate& slate), dampproof, put down new floors, re-wire, re-plumb, put in heating and possibly have to go in for planning for an extension& a new location for a the septic tank.

Knowing the above, which type of survey should we look for?

I have rang two Architects this morning who referred me to Engineers so I'm not even sure if Architects provide such a service. If its not against charter rules any recommendations would be much appreciated (by PM please) for any Architect, Engineer or Surveyor that anybody used& was happy with.

Thanks.

Hi OP,
It is a full structural engineering survey that you would require. A period property in any condition always will have a degree of underlying issues that relate to construction method & material of the time.
The 'heads' of items that should be included / reviewed in a structural survey.
- Detail of the layout and design of the property from the ground floor to the roof line. General make up & material used in the construction.
- Properties current state of repair & costs associated with work
- Modernization of services (electric, plumbing, heating, ventilation, waste water / septic, etc.) (& Costs €)
- Modernization of energy efficiency (insulation, windows & door replacement) (& Costs €)
- Property boundary make up & delineation ( & further review may also be warranted as property pre dates 63' & planning regs)
- Site Historical information & status of the structure (Record of protected structures, heritage etc.)
- Flood risk ?
- Take account & give advice's on proposed renovations, extensions & renewable energy improvements.

Your chosen company or professional should carry adequate professional Indemnity insurance for building structural surveys
mike f