The Cost of Not Conducting a Building Survey – Real-Life Examples

Let’s say you discover your ideal home. It’s perfect. The price is right. You are prepared to put pen to paper. But hold on – what if there’s something you can’t see that’s wrong? What if, by not having a building survey done, you cost yourself thousands? Sounds scary, right? That’s precisely what we’ll discuss today. In this post, you will learn hidden risks and unexpected costs and why cutting corners is never worth it. Here’s how my team at Keys Consulting can help you protect your investment.

Why Skipping a Building Survey Feels Like a Good Idea (But Isn’t)

Let’s get real for a minute.

You might say to yourself, “I don’t need a survey. The seller says it’s all good.” Or perhaps you’re concerned about paying more money up front.

Maybe you follow you gut or expect that nothing significantly bad could happen. These thoughts are normal. But here’s the deal: cutting corners with a building survey is a lot like attempting to drive blindfolded.

You may get to where you’re going safely, but the statistics aren’t good.

Here’s why:

• A building survey exposes problems you’d never find on a casual walk-through.
• It tells you if it gives you peace of mind – or if you better get out before it’s too late.
• It saves you money in the long run by giving you the power to negotiate repairs or walk away from a bad deal.

Still not convinced? Keep reading.

Example 1: The Nightmare Foundation

Meet Sarah. She purchased her first home – a quaint Victorian terrace – in central London. Everything looked fine. The estate agent told her the property was “in excellent condition.” So, she decided to forgo the survey to save time and money. Six months later, the wheels came off. It had been raining heavily, and Sarah saw some huge cracks building up in her living room wall. Shocked, she had a structural engineer call. It turns out the foundation was badly undermined by subsidence. It took her somebody over £50,000 to repair. Yes, FIFTY THOUSAND POUNDS. Because she hadn’t spent a tiny fraction of that on a proper survey beforehand. Wouldn’t you want to hear about foundation issues BEFORE purchasing? Of course, you would.

Example 2: Asbestos Ambush

Now meet Mark and Lisa. Freshly married and ready to settle down, they bought a 1970s bungalow in Manchester.

Again, no survey. Why bother? The place seemed sturdy enough.

Fast forward two years. They found asbestos in the ceilings during routine renovations. Removing the asbestos didn’t come cheap – it cost them £12,000. Plus, they had to move out temporarily while professionals cleaned up. Stressful? Absolutely. Avoidable? Definitely.

This would have been raised immediately with a full building survey. Instead, it was a lesson learned the hard way by Mark and Lisa.

Example 3: Water Damage Case

Lastly, let’s get to James. He bought a bargain basement flat near Bristol. The inexpensive price tag sent up red flags, but he dismissed them all. No survey, no problem – at least, he thought.

Soon, mold started to spread across the bathroom ceiling. Upon further investigation, significant water damage had been caused by inadequate drainage around the building. The resulting repairs cost nearly £8,000. Then his insurance wouldn’t pay for any of it because he hadn’t disclosed any prior knowledge of potential problems.

James regrets not hiring a surveyor. He said he wished someone had told him to “do your due diligence.” Don’t let this happen to you.

Final Thoughts

Not getting a buildings survey is a gamble you can’t afford.

Think about it. Would you purchase a car before looking under the hood? Of course not. But people do this with houses all the time. Don’t be one of them.

Instead, work with professionals who put your mind at ease. Keys Consulting will guide you through the process. We’ll make sure your dream home doesn’t become a money pit.

Ready to take the next step? Contact us today.