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We have just received our home buyers report from a property we are in the process of buying. It recommends getting quotes for certain items. Do the buyers or sellers do this, and is done through the estate agent or solicitor?

A standard survey is very basic, wont pick up much, If something has been picked up I'd be a bit worried. When we bought our previous place we paid for a proper survey on the chimney supports, got the surveyor ourselves and arranged access via the estate agent. The seller will have no interest in highlighting issues, so down to you.

We did a mid range survey which has basically said there 'could' be a woodworm issue due to the age of the property. The surveyor didn't see any, but couldn't inspect it fully but thinks there could be some...

We sold last year the surveyor/clown said we had asbestos. It turned out after 2 months that he had got us confused with a derelict property he did same day. Cost me 5 grand on the price as it caused a doubt in the buyers mind even after we redid it with 2 more which cleared us. Suppose i'm saying whatever you do there will be an element of doubt now whatever you do. Should have said that favours you in negotiating.

You'll need to instruct a specialist report if you want to know for sure, at your own expense.

If the property does have woodworm, you'll then have strong grounds to renegotiate your offer with the seller. If not, you're a bit out of pocket but at least you know the house doesn't have woodworm.

Thanks Sam. Looks a more detailed report maybe the way forward. How much do they normally cost. Landmark did the buyers report...

It depends on the property. Could be a few hundred quid, could be £1,000+. Speak to a surveyor. Find out who Landmark used (they probably just sub work out) and ask them for a recommendation. Or try Allied Surveyors, I've found them to be good in the past.

Woodworm has fuck all to do with the age of the property so that's bollocks. Not saying it has or hasn't but that's the problem with homebuyers surveys - they basically just raise generic issues and suggest getting things looked at by other's. We haven't bothered this time, however we did when we brought our present house and I must confess I got a high quote for some of the stuff they raised and got a few k off the price.

Use someone local as they will probably have an idea of what effects the property type and may have surveyed other similar examples. Avoid any of the big nationals as they will likely be expensive and inexperienced.

Any suggestions?

Typical generic weasel words to avoid getting sued IMO. "Look, my report says get it checked out..". Problem is, what if  this is the property that DOES have woodworm.....!

Do they exist anymore? Everything had woodworm when I was a kid. I think I had them once. Not seen any for many years.

Exactly.

That's the catch 22 situation. Fork out more money, who just take the risk and hope for the best. If a full building survey is £1000, which I cannot afford, how much would it cost to repair. How does one know they have word worm?!

Have bought two houses, didn't have a survey on either. First one had woodworm (look for flight holes in the floorboards etc, also 'saw dust' beneath the floorboards), only cost £250 to get a bloke out to treat it. Guaranteed for 30 years.

Second one also has signs, got the same treatment stuff from Screwfix for £20, it's just an insecticide, same stuff used on hair lice.

It's not just treating it though, it's the risk that it's already damaged so much that it'll cause structural problems.

This true. The surveyor said he couldn't see any but could rule out there not being any.

If it was me I'd go to the vendor with your report findings.
To secure the house sale they may get it checked out for you.

Sippo, does your surveyor have xray vision? I just had the most basic report done last time. I'm fairly confident I can spot any issues when looking around a house. I've moved a lot.