buying a house

[windycity8]

is it obligatory to have a survey done on a house that you see and like and you want to buy?

[janbee]

If you're getting a mortgage, it's compulsory.
If you're paying the full amount in cash then it's advisable

[R1Geezer]

No it is always optional. However lenders generally require that you have it done.

[Old_Geezer]

Your lender's survey, that they'll want you to pay for, isn't optional, but merely covers their concern about the amount they are lending you and whether they can get it back, worst comes to worst.
.
Any additional survey is optional but should be done out of common sense. If you find a full survey is too expensive, cash flow and all that, there are cut down versions that cover the basics that you can go for. Shop around.

[heathfield]

In the TV programme ''Homes Under the Hammer'', a surprising number of auction winners admit that they haven't even seen the property they've won, never mind not having had a survey carried out! So the short answer is ''No''.

[wildwood]

▲"a surprising number of auction winners admit that they haven't even seen the property they've won"

It makes you wonder how thoses people got the money to buy houses at auctions in the first place!

I guess the proverb 'a fool and his money are soon parted' is a myth.

[Old_Geezer]

They figure, buy cheap enough and they're probably covered for the initial investment anyway.

[dundurn]

Old Geezer has the right of it. Building Societies always used to charge you for a "survey" which basically was a valuation only. You weren't entitled to see it, and as far as the structural integrity of the house was concerned it only guaranteed that it was still standing when the surveyor pulled out of the drive! Building Socities legally are not allowed to lend without a survey - and you foot the bill regardless.
A "full" structural survey is extremely expensive and time-consuming only to be contemplated if you're thinking of buying a stately pile - properly done it involves a surveyor and a small gang of helpers, knocking holes in walls and then making good after they have ascertained that there's no death watch beetle/ dry rot etc.
There was a lot of work done in the 70s with the RCIS to put together a halfway house usually called something like Report on Condition and Valuation which will go through the basics of construction and which you are entitled to see. Major problems can still be missed however. Flooring/ fitted carpets etc will not necessarily be moved aside to inspect what's under them and many a "roof survey" is conducted from a set of kitchen steps under the loft hatch and illuminated by a small torch. On the other hand there are some really conscientious surveyors around and the other side of the coin is that your vendors may get a bit disgruntled when the "quick visit" from the surveyor turns into a 3 hour marathon as they wander round criticising their pride and joy!

[whiskeryron]

You've heard it quoted before>> Buying a house is probably the most expensive thing you'll ever buy, therefore it would make sense to me that you are getting value for money, so yes get the most extensive survey you can afford. Ron.

[Avatar]

The thing is, unless you're loaded, once you've coughed up nigh on a £1k say for a full survey, you're then unlikely to read it, see all the problems and then say, "Ah sod it, this house is no good I'll look for another one" and pay the £1k survey fee again on the next one and so on. You're more likely to try and negotiate the price down based on the faults, fail, pay the full price, move in and have to sort the problems out. Exactly the same as if you didnt have the survey done in the first place except your £1k out of pocket this way round.