Unfinished house purchase queries

RandomUsername

Hi all. I've been in and out of here and the accommodation & property section for a few years but hopefully things are finally moving forward for me.

I'm looking at purchasing an unfinished dormer. It's 2'000 Sq/ft it commenced in 2007 and significant work stopped in 2008.

It's weather-tight, plumbing 1st fixing done, floors poured, internally and externally plastered. Electrics are to be completed and signed off as a condition of the sale.

Certificates are present for the raft and roof, I haven't seen them yet, Water treatment hasn't been installed yet.

There was planning permission for a garage, it was not started, I plan to build it.

I believe the build is required to comply to 2005 standards, I've been assured it does.

I will be getting a pre-purchase survey completed in the coming weeks. I had planned on getting the architect who drew the plans to complete the survey and also certify the remaining works (water treatment).

The original architect/engineer had no input into the build after planning was achieved. He also has a backlog due to being short staffed and has come in slightly dearer than another recommendation. I'd like to use the same engineer that does the pre purchase survey to see out any further works

My questions are:

Are there any advantages to getting the original architect ?

Opinion of compliance should confirm its built to 2005 standards does this overlap the pre purchase survey ?

At what stage should I get the opinion of compliance ?

What else in the finishing of the build will require an engineer, ie. apart from the treatment plant, is there a form of completion cert ?

Finally, any advice welcome.


Thanks for looking

893bet

Has planning not lapsed if compliance hasn't been signed off at this point?

RandomUsername

893bet wrote: »

Has planning not lapsed if compliance hasn't been signed off at this point?

Quite possibly, I'm waiting for clarification from the engineer doing the survey.