On Mon, 24 Oct 2011 15:54:53 +0100, BAC wrote:

One of the comments is telling. How does this plant get through
the
4" concrete slab and polythene damp proof membrane to appear
inside
the house behind skirtings etc. Why isn't there a NHBC guarantee?

Owner-builder exemption is available.

Perhaps the house needs to be demolished 'cause it ain't built
properly...

Havent they got buildings insurance, I wonder?

If owner built and not to the required building regulation standards
would any building insurance pay out?

Possibly not. I would expect it to be a condition of any mortgage
there is on the property though.

Obviously they can't have employed a surveyor, or his/her neck would be
on the block, not the lawyer's.

Most people probably don't know the difference between "valuation
survey" "home buyers report" and "structural survey".

The first is just to verify to the mortgage company that the property
is worth what they are lending.

The second is hardly worth the paper it is written on, as anything
remotely specialised will just be glossed over with "specialist
advice should be sort". A Home Buyers Report should pick up on gross
problems with a property. But the surveyor won't shift furniture,
lift carpets or venture into any lofts, they'll stick there head up
and access but that's about all.

The third is very expensive...

--
Cheers
Dave.