Property viewings are often short, so it is worth going to the place more than once before putting in an offer.
When returning to a house or flat, enlisting the help of a builder can be beneficial as it can help you know how much you should offer.
This is because builders can have a thorough look and spot any problems that are likely to cost you in the future.
Hiring a builder for this should cost no more than £200 but could save you thousands of pounds on the selling price, according to experts.
Spotting problems before putting in an offer could help with negotiations
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“Buying a house is probably the most important and expensive financial decision most of us make,” construction expert from MyBuilder.com Andy Simms said.
“Whatever the condition of the property – from new build to character building – it’s always wise to seek the view of a builder. They can see the property from a completely objective point of view, help you calculate the expense of any work you may need or want to do and check for any worrying cracks or other construction issues.
“While this cannot – and should not – replace a full survey should you proceed with the purchase, it can help you make a fully informed offer, and save you any nasty shocks down the line. While a survey is necessary for a purchase, it often only points out potential issues.
“A good builder with comprehensive knowledge can give you more information on what is an issue, including a cost to rectify it. It may also raise issues that mean you decide against making an offer, saving you time and stress.”
The experts highlighted the different ways in which a builder can offer expertise that could help any negotiations.
Project cost estimation
Experts stated: “Most of us plan to make changes to our new homes, regardless of the state they are in. From an all-over paint job to a new bathroom or kitchen to extensions or demolition, a builder would be able to give you an approximate idea of the costs involved.
“While these will be general, vary geographically and by tradesperson, it can be helpful in giving you a ballpark figure to take into account what you need to spend to make a property your ideal home.”
Structural issues
They continued: “While some issues may be obvious, others are much more subtle. A builder will be able to point out any warning signs of a problem, such as cracks which could indicate subsidence. Subsidence cracks may present differently to less worrying types, and being alerted to such an issue could save you thousands of pounds.”
Roof concerns
They continued: “A roof in need of repair can cost a large amount of money, and a builder should be able to give you a quick assessment of how it’s looking. This is particularly important in older houses, where the ageing roof may be in need of repair.”
Damp problems
The experts added: “British weather means that many homes suffer from damp – but a serious issue with it can cost thousands of pounds to fix.
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Foundational problems can be costly in the future
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“While an in-depth survey will give a more complete picture, a builder will be able to inform you of the likelihood of damp problems in the property you are viewing and the cost to fix it.”
Foundations
They said: “A property’s foundations, and the area around it, are vital to the safety and longevity of the house. A builder will be able to take a quick look and highlight any concerns, such as exposed foundation stones, quality of the land around the property and proximity of any potentially damaging environments, such as trees. Serious issues here could cost thousands of pounds.”
Potential plans
They added: “Builders – especially those local to the area that the property is located in – can have a good idea of what is possible in terms of building regulations and planning permission. While tradespeople are not always experts on building regulations, many can give a strong opinion of what is most likely possible.
“This can help you avoid purchasing a property that is highly unlikely to be turned into the home you were planning, therefore saving your time and money – potentially tens of thousands of pounds.”
