Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. My estate agent says most people
don't have a building survey....
They
are right. We feel this is because the benefits of having a survey
are not explained, as the estate agents primary interest is to sell
the house.
The only time the estate agent is
really interested in you having a building survey is when they
own a surveying company themselves. You would be surprised
how many estate agents own or have very strong financial links
with a surveying company - the estate agent gets a commission
for recommending their own surveyors - we think this is not ethical.
A few examples of estate agent owned surveyors:-
- CountryWide surveyors owned by Taylors,
Bairstow Eves, Mann & Co.
- Colleys' owned by Halifax Royal Bank
of Scotland
- E Surv owned by Your Move (General Accident)
Remember in English Law its 'buyer
beware'. Both Which magazine the consumer watchdog and the Consumers Association
recommend you have an independent survey.
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