Home Musings

If you are thinking of buying a home, you could be exposing yourself to a number of risks if you choose to cut down on structural survey costs. Essentially, these surveys are required by some lending institutions before they approve a loan. Normally, this structural survey is carried out by an independent company on behalf of the financial institution with the sole purpose of calculating the real value of the house. However, there are some companies that do not require a client to conduct this survey. This can, however, be a huge mistake as the buyer may not know whether his or her prospective house has any structural problems or not. The main reason why people avoid structural surveys is based on the misconception that they are costly.

Generally, the main reason why a structural survey is conducted is to establish if there are any structural flaws that could affect the value of the property. Fundamentally, there are some structural problems that you can identify even if you are not a structural surveyor.

However, many are the flaws that you will not be able to identify. These problems include: – bulging roofs, cracked ceilings, dropped arches above windows, hairline cracking to brickwork and uneven floors. These problems may have been present for a long time and may not pose any problem, or so you may think. However, the problem comes when you are about to sell the house because they can will affect the value of the house.

Contrary to popular belief, a structural survey can save you a lot of money. About two decades ago, home buyers had a detailed structural survey done on their prospective homes. However, this is no longer the case and home owners are now more likely to get a less intrusive home inspection carried out. Remember, it is only through a detailed survey that you can know the kind of risks you are exposing yourself to by buying the house. On the other hand, if you decide to buy the house with the flaws that the surveyor will have identified, it will give you a great negotiating platform. The moment that you notice these structural problems in the house, you can negotiate for a lower price than what the seller is demanding.

When the survey reveals the house has structural problems, the seller has two options – you can ask him or her to sell the house at a lower price and then you will fix the problems on your own. On the other hand, you can ask the seller to fix the problems at his or her own expense and then sell the house to you at the present price. Either way, it is a win-win situation.

In conclusion, considering the issues discussed above, you will realize that it is important to conduct a structural survey. Apart from saving you money, it also guarantees safety for you and your family. Remember, your house is where you and your family will spend a lot of your time. Any structural problem could mean endangering your family’s lives as well as your own. Lastly, you need to find a good surveyor who has the skills and experience to guide you through the process.