Looking for person to carry out survey of house

I'm buying a house in the Sligo area and am looking for someone to carry out a survey to make sure it is sound, etc.

I'm having trouble finding a surveyor? What should I be looking for (e.g. an engineer (civil, etc.?), architect, quantity surveyor? Does anyone know one in Sligo?

Thanks.

You need a structural surveyor. Just ring up any of the surveyor firms and ask if they do structural surveys. If they don't do them, they may know someone who does.

Its best to get a full structural survey. I got one for about €400 in october 2006

Stapler, I don't have an answer but if you find a good one please share the details, I need a survey done in Ballina asap please.

FYI

I have booked Fox and Gallagher, Ballina to do a full survey , 250 + vat.

They are not IAVI, they are IPAV (which is supposedly equal if not superior?), and this was acceptable to NIB, the key thing I think was that they have indemnity insurance.

If they are IPAV that means they are auctioneers/valuers, not surveyors. Therefore you have commissioned someone to do a valuation/survey for the bank, not the same thing as a structural survey at all.

Thanks for the reply / warning Vanilla, I appreciate it.

I was not making myself clear.

They are doing a structural survey.

They are also filling in the valuation form for the bank, who insist that they are IAVI or IPAV.


Didn't want to pay for a survey and then find out that their valuation was not acceptable to the bank.

Vanilla said:

If they are IPAV that means they are auctioneers/valuers, not surveyors. Therefore you have commissioned someone to do a valuation/survey for the bank, not the same thing as a structural survey at all.

Click to expand...

In fairness some (bigger) auctioneering firms do employ surveyors. Just check the individual's qualification and current status.

There are two seperate types of survey commissioned when you buy a house. The first is at the banks insistance and is really only a valuation when it comes down to it. you cannot rely on this type of survey, even if it were to be carried out by a qualified surveyer ( which is not clear here) for structural issues. The second survey is one carried out voluntarily by a purchaser who commissions a surveyor, engineer or architect to carry out a structural survey of a house. Two different things. It is possible to have one person carry out both at the same time but for a fee of €250 I fear it is unlikely you will get much of a structural survey.

Fair point. I will make sure to find out what he will cover for that price. My main unknown in the house is the roof - looks ok from the outside but will ask him to have a good look internally. Apart from that the house looks solid, there are no signs of movement in it or any of the houses in the street.

As a matter of interest, how much would you expect to pay for a full structural survey of a 4 bed semi? Is 250 + vat really all that cheap?

Sorry, am thread-jacking :

Anyone got a surveyor for Stapler in Sligo?

Depends on the type of survey but anywhere from 400 plus vat upwards at a guess for an average figure.

I had a full structural survey done in November 07 for €325. The surveyor met with us and discussed every aspect of the house, potential for extensions and gave us a full written report. I found him great, i can pass on the name to the OP but he's based in Meath so not sure if he'd do Sligo. I was quoted 450+ by a couple of firms. I agree with Vanilla too, banks valuer didn't even go inside the house to do a valuation so i wouldn't trust that!

I would recommend someone with the required certification

Society of Chartered Surveyors
www.scs.ie

They have a full member listing from what i can see

An update:
I went ahead with a survey from Fox and Gallagher as mentioned above. Structural engineer called Des came out and did a very thorough survey.

He spent a a good hour inspecting the house and confirmed all of the issues I had already seen, plus a few more I had not seen.

He gave me some insight into a planning issue which I was concerned about.

He was good enough not to mind me being there asking him questions during the survey.

He gave me a verbal summary of the main issues that evening, and a written report a few days later as agreed (2 hard copies with many colour photos, plus soft copy).

Overall, his report and comments were enough to justify a reduction of price, but as the vendor wouldn't budge, I ended up buying another house.

I was happy to get him to do the survey for that one as well.

I think in each case it was good value (but not too cheap!) at 300 euro incl vat, and the level of inspection carried out was more than adequate.

Maybe 300 seems worryingly cheap if you are in Dublin but that's what I paid and it was fine for me.

I need someone to do a survey of an older house in Limerick City - would anyone have any recommendations? I rang a couple from the chartered surveyor link above but they weren't interested. One suggested getting a consulting engineer but when I googled that I didn't find any company that looked like they would like to look at just one house.