buying a house with underpinning

[leander]

I need some advice please! I am hoping to buy a victorian house, an extension to which underwent underpinning 10 years ago. Our survey and the current occupiers survey indicate that the movement was historical and the underpinning work was well done, however the company that carried it out are no longer in existence.

I've found a couple of insurers willing to issue a policy - at reasonable rates- one being the current insurers.

Do people think that selling the property on would be difficult?
any advice appreciated as I am a complete novice in period properties

thanks
Leander

 

[skier-hughes]

In my opinion, if you like the property and don't feel worried by the underpinning then when you come to sell it, it should have moved no more so be of less importance, and somebody else like yourself will fall in love with the house and buy it.

I wouldn't worry too much about the builders not trading any more, most gurantees are only 10 years aren't they?

The only worry would be that it got worse, but if no movement after 10 years then hopefully it won't.

Graham

 

[middi]

I agree with Graham.

If this work was carried sometime ago and there is no evidence of further movement, buy it if you like it.

 

[Penners]

It sounds as though you're willing to buy it, so why wouldn't others?

Ten years seems plenty long enough to be confident that the underpinning has been effective, and by the time you come to sell it that period will be even longer.

 

[Lime]

Try and find some neighbours who have lived there for a while and ask them about it.
Some are bound to know why and when it was done.
You might find out that it has been done several times before!

 

[NT]

Extension underpinned but old part of house (with way less foundations normally) not underpinned does not sound like an encouraging combination. OTOH 10 years has proven its stable, ie not a problem. If you can get a sensible insurance price, your insurerr would also be agreeing its not a problem.

I dont see that the building co being not in business has any bearing on it.


NT

 

[leander]

thanks all who replied

you helped me to make up my mind - the house is too nice to pass up and given that there has been no movement 10 years I'll take the chance. I revisted it last week and there are no obvious signs in neighbouring properties


leander

 

[NT]

Also bear in mind that if theres no ongoing movement now, if it should ever move in future you've got insurance to fall back on.

NT

 

[Paul Hopper]

I have project managed several underpinning operations over the years.

provided the contractor is top notch, there are rarely problems, inevitably though others may well have different experiences!

One of my neighbours has a major corner brickwork failure ( due to foundation failure (collapsed drain etc.,) I have been watching it for some time and am now advised that underpinning works are to begin fairly soon.

(its a brick built detatched 1910 villa style house, not listed but very attractive to look at.)

If anyone is at all interested I will post further on this as the work proceeds.

Paul