Do house surveyors go up into the attic?

Andy From Sligo

When someone is getting a mortgage and need a survey done on an old property , I know the surveyors check the walls for dampness and structural cracks etc but do they get a ladder out and go up into the loft / attic space and check beams and the wood up in the attic for wet rot dry rot / woodworm and roof condition from the inside? - do they go that far?

JimmyVik

Any I have ever know do.

If they dont, then they arent doing their job. Sometimes though they cant get to all parts of an attic. Nothing you can do about that.

Tails142

Mine did anyway.

Penn

Generally yes, unless there's a reason not to. They should be checking the attic for roof structure, condition of roof timbers, services in the attic (cold water storage), insulation, and anything else depending on the house.

Unless there's a safety reason why they can't enter the attic (I had it on one before where the level of items stored by the occupier in the attic meant I couldn't safely get in/out of the attic enough to survey it), they should or at the very least should note why they haven't and give recommendations on items to be checked/clarified.

pleh

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058222972/do-house-surveyors-go-up-into-the-attic

Mine went up into attic took photos put them in the report and as it turns out, didnt understand what they were looking at. So there's that :(

listermint

No. Most will go as far as the loft entrance itself and that's it not venturing into the loft. Yes it can be down to their own insurance etc and height work etc.

You would have to specifically ask for more if you need it from a surveyor. Be specific with them it's not a default. Default is a quick visual scan for roof supports and conditions of the roofing felt/membrane.

Hontou

Mine did and took photos of problem areas.

Kurooi

Had two surveyors and both went up, in fact they both commented and drew out the build of the rooftop, materials, insulation, state of the wood, issues.

And one of them didn't have access, so now that I'm reading this I realise he brought his ladder.

dubal

it varies, I had a couple done and I walked around the house with them.

One guy checked everything, one guy wanted to make it look like he checked everything. There was actually some standing water in the garden (which I would want to know why its not draining), he stood in while taking his pictures of the house. There were 2 attics, he took a picture in one, and didnt notice there was a second one.

size5

They will use access as an excuse! Best if you had a step ladder for them so they have no excuse. If they don't check the attic make sure to check it yourself to ensure the seller isn't hiding any rubbish or mattresses up there-happened to me!!