What Did The Property Survey Say?

Eureka, we requested a survey on a property, as the endeavour to move continues. I was already feeling pretty nervous and overwhelmed. But ahead we went. As we needed more detail of what we would be taking on, apart from that which we had already noted.

Expecting the results to take up to twelve days, the results arrived two days later. Highlighting what was needed in order of urgency, and advising formal quotes for much.

The Results

Unsurprisingly, we are not home renovators. And never have been. Life was always too busy prior to MEcfs to delve into that kind of project. And in MEcfs life, impossible. I’m not part of a family of contractors. Neither is my husband.

From three levels of survey available to us, we opted for a Level 2. Which equates to detailed. A Level 3 is mainly for listed buildings with even greater eye watering detail, and a Level 1 probably if you’re deciding to purchase ~~blindfold~~, erm I mean a new build.

The list was fairly extensive, but the most alarming part for me was the mention of wood rot and evidence of wood boring insects in the roof timbers. Oh great! I’ve been there before.

Past Experience

During our time living in Hong Kong, our second apartment was subject to a termite invasion. I heard a noise at night mid-slumber. Initially not knowing what the sound was. On hesitantly investigating, I found the host of beasties busily munching their way through the wardrobe and parquet flooring. Eugh! Termites! They hatch and take flight over a few days in the warmer season. The air literally filled with them. Eugh again.

Shine Parquet Flooring In A Bright Airy Room

At sunrise we called in help Due to the amount of poison which would have been needed to eradicate them, we had to extract ourselves from that rental rather swiftly. With the landlord suggesting they lay the treatments themselves. Umm no! I wasn’t having that stuff lying around with young children in the home.

With the official bug guys advising us to remove the books from the upper floor quickly or they would be munched for termite tea by the following day. I have never sprayed so much Baygone in one night! Vile stuff. We ensured our next rental was fumigated every month. But boy, what a process of sealing up all the kitchen drawers etc, bedding and toys before they arrived. And then having to stay out all day, with windows left wide open!

The Survey Decided

Back to current time. And unsurprisingly, the alarms bells for me were clanging. Because it means chemical treatments, the trace residue or odour of which I would rather not live around. I have quite enough chemicals sensitivities as it is, without risking more.

So, we have had to retract our interest. My husband is disappointed, and possibly annoyed. As the process of home search will need to resume. But hey, it’s all a learning experience. And a gentle reminder to ask more questions prior to viewing, however irritating we may feel we are being by doing so. We’re back to the adage ‘If it looks too good…’ again!

Closing Thoughts

It’s quite a strange scenario here in the UK. As a buyer you feel pretty much unrepresented during the searching and viewing process. Apart from an agent being present to unlock the door, and gush positivity over the whole property. With viewers left somewhat scrabbling around in the dark (my skin is itching) while you make one of the biggest decisions of your life.

I don’t think it would be unfair for just a little more information to be proffered prior to or during viewing, rather than so much of it feeling akin to the Catherine Tate character ‘Have a guess’! Or Not the Nine O’clock News – Record Shop aka ‘No Clues’.

Or is everyone just covering themselves? ‘Der’!! I hear you cry.

When asking how old a boiler is, it can feel like one is asking for the door code to the Bank of England vaults. Thankfully surveys do exist, at a cost of course. But I have learned that we need to be far more annoyingly pushy (aka assertive) in our questionning, if we are to have any hope of finding the place for us. Because agents are basically there to sell! No offence intended. But I used to enjoy a good sales pitch. It transpires that I no longer do.

So grateful to my dear, dear friend for words of support. They are needed. We CAN do this. Yes we can.