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Hi all,
I had a home buyer survey conducted, by a RICS company and surveyor.
At first I thought it was great, they found some damp, I had a specialist damp survey conducted, they found an issue and I negotiated the costs off the purchase price.
All good and we went ahead with purchase.
Roll on a year of renovating and now that the main house is nearly finished, I decided to start tackling the gardens and garage.
I noticed the garage has cement corrugated sheeting and has the word everite stamped on it, a well known asbestos sheet. I couldn't recall the survey mentioning any issues with the garage, so I looked back through it and it said the garage had a metal sheet roof, not a cement sheet roof, thus no mention of potential asbestos. So a complete miss-identification of roof material.
I then noticed two defects.
1. Some lengthy and wide step-stair cracks where the roller shutter door is bolted to the wall, all obvious and in plain sight, signs also visible from the outside.
2. The metal lintel above the double garage opening is so severely rusted, it just falls apart when picking it with your fingers, it must have taken years for it be as corroded as it is.
Both these issues weren't even mentioned.
I sought legal advice but after getting quotes to rectify these issues it's totalling under £10k so they say they can't help me, unless I pay a fixed free of £2500.
I spoke to RICS who said each RICS compliant company will have their own complaint procedure, so I'm prepping a letter. RICS then said if I'm dissatisfied with their response then they also have a complains procedure.
I'm also aware these surveying companies have their own insurance for these types of things, how likely is it that they admit fault? Or will they try and fob me off?
What are my options? Small claims court?
Thanks.
I had a home buyer survey conducted, by a RICS company and surveyor.
At first I thought it was great, they found some damp, I had a specialist damp survey conducted, they found an issue and I negotiated the costs off the purchase price.
All good and we went ahead with purchase.
Roll on a year of renovating and now that the main house is nearly finished, I decided to start tackling the gardens and garage.
I noticed the garage has cement corrugated sheeting and has the word everite stamped on it, a well known asbestos sheet. I couldn't recall the survey mentioning any issues with the garage, so I looked back through it and it said the garage had a metal sheet roof, not a cement sheet roof, thus no mention of potential asbestos. So a complete miss-identification of roof material.
I then noticed two defects.
1. Some lengthy and wide step-stair cracks where the roller shutter door is bolted to the wall, all obvious and in plain sight, signs also visible from the outside.
2. The metal lintel above the double garage opening is so severely rusted, it just falls apart when picking it with your fingers, it must have taken years for it be as corroded as it is.
Both these issues weren't even mentioned.
I sought legal advice but after getting quotes to rectify these issues it's totalling under £10k so they say they can't help me, unless I pay a fixed free of £2500.
I spoke to RICS who said each RICS compliant company will have their own complaint procedure, so I'm prepping a letter. RICS then said if I'm dissatisfied with their response then they also have a complains procedure.
I'm also aware these surveying companies have their own insurance for these types of things, how likely is it that they admit fault? Or will they try and fob me off?
What are my options? Small claims court?
Thanks.
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