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Tips for buying a new build: 3rd party survey / shed tips

  • 26-06-2020 12:29PM
    #1
    kokiyou
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 88 ✭✭


    hi folks,

    I am hoping to buy a new build and received solicitor advice to consider having a professional surveyor with professional indemnity insurance / architect or engineer with the same give a survey of the new build while it is being erected before everything is covered up.

    From reading the BCAR information, I would receive a certificate once the house is built but I wouldn't know if everything under the finish is correct.

    I was wondering if anyone else had thoughts on:
    1. How often issues arise in new developments that would be spotted and flagged by a 3rd party surveyor.
    2. How much such a survey would cost and how much times I should request / they would request to visit the site and ensure things are following plans/regulations?
    3. I hoped using the answers from the above to make a decision as to whether this is a good idea, but any final thoughts appreciated.


    Secondly, I was hoping to build a 5x5 shed in the backgarden.

    From reading a 25m2 floor area is allowed without planning permission. Is it ridiculous to assume that if I had:

    5x2.5m2 floor area in two rooms separated by a wall that the floor area alone is counted rather than the total area of the building? In other words the dividing wall between the two rooms and also outer wall thicknesses are ignored - it is just the floor area / inner wall dimensions?

    As the new build will have a very small area of concrete laid for a shed (around 2x2m2) plus electrical wiring setup, it seemed reasonable to consider asking the developer to instead lay concrete down for the finished design which would be 5x5m2 plus walls correct?

    If there are any recommended readings or similar that I can use please let me know


Comments

  • #2
    Gumbo
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 42,150 Mod ✭✭✭✭Gumbo


    kokiyou wrote: »
    hi folks,

    I am hoping to buy a new build and received solicitor advice to consider having a professional surveyor with professional indemnity insurance / architect or engineer with the same give a survey of the new build while it is being erected before everything is covered up.

    From reading the BCAR information, I would receive a certificate once the house is built but I wouldn't know if everything under the finish is correct.

    I was wondering if anyone else had thoughts on:
    1. How often issues arise in new developments that would be spotted and flagged by a 3rd party surveyor.
    2. How much such a survey would cost and how much times I should request / they would request to visit the site and ensure things are following plans/regulations?
    3. I hoped using the answers from the above to make a decision as to whether this is a good idea, but any final thoughts appreciated.


    Secondly, I was hoping to build a 5x5 shed in the backgarden.

    From reading a 25m2 floor area is allowed without planning permission. Is it ridiculous to assume that if I had:

    5x2.5m2 floor area in two rooms separated by a wall that the floor area alone is counted rather than the total area of the building? In other words the dividing wall between the two rooms and also outer wall thicknesses are ignored - it is just the floor area / inner wall dimensions?

    As the new build will have a very small area of concrete laid for a shed (around 2x2m2) plus electrical wiring setup, it seemed reasonable to consider asking the developer to instead lay concrete down for the finished design which would be 5x5m2 plus walls correct?

    If there are any recommended readings or similar that I can use please let me know

    1. Will depends on the contractor and developer allowing you to have a third party surveyor inspect their work during the build. I’m not aware of any contractors in the current climate that will allow this.

    2. Price will depend on 1.

    3. The developer will simply state the house will receive a CCC on BCAR. You don’t actually get a certificate from anyone. You get a number that states the house is on the statutory register as being complete. That’s it.

    Shed.
    The exemption is for the total area inside the external walls. They don’t exclude the internal walls.

    Also you’d have to make sure you can enjoy the exemptions in a new build estate. Some estates come with conditions that de-exempt the exemptions. So in other words you need planning for small works that would normally be exempt.

    Don’t assume the developer will be pouring any concrete for any shed. This would be very uncommon.


  • #3
    kokiyou
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 88 ✭✭kokiyou


    Thanks Gumbo!

    I will reach out to the builder and see their thoughts on a third party surveyor inspection at the least it shouldn't hurt the build, and might have them keep closer eyes on their work on it - if that is ridiculous let me know.



    The Shed should have a small concrete poured - but I can confirm with builder. This is listed on the external included features:

    - Base installed for future garden shed along with power supply,

    Although it is quite a small base as per the show house maybe 1.5x3m or less.
    The idea was to have them do a larger base directly as I assume I would save money that way rather than have a third party expand it months down the line.

    Per solicitor there is nothing in the agreement about expanding a shed up to 5x5 or other exemptions not being allowed on the new build etc. - but I guess asking the builder directly will get me a yes or no.


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