What sort of house survey should I get?

[bungle]

It's been 10 years since i bought a house, and then it was a 3-yr old house with a NHBC guarantee (for what it's worth).

Now I'm buying a c.40 yr old house, it's had a 2-storey extension (10 yrs ago), and given its (high (to me)) price, I'm thinking I want a decent survey done.

Trouble is, everyone seems to be saying on here don't bother wasting your money on a survey, they'll just say "you should get an electrical /damp / gas survey done as well, you can't sue us, blah de blah", and I'm just shelling out a lot of money for nothing.

I'm thinking of a full structural survey (so they should actually lift the carpets if necessary... ), but is the collective view that this is a waste of time? I am risk averse by nature, and see this as a comfort blanket (if you get my drift), but if the norm is so many caveats/ get-out clauses etc these days, are they really worth it? Thanks.

EDIT TO ADD: there's also some huge trees in the back garden. Would a structural survey consider if the roots had any possible (in the future, or now) impact on the house? Or (and this is pushing it) the possibility of them affecting neighbours' houses?

Edited by bungle on Saturday 13th October 19:56

[bungle]

N Dentressangle said:

Get a proper survey done.

You know that's the right answer, really, don't you?

Probably. But interested in everyone's thoughts, as I have no experience of buying a property in over 10 years!

I guess I should also ask for surveyor recommendations as well. Near Coventry.

N Dentressangle said:

The people who bought my last house didn't get a survey. I suspect they are now regretting that decision.

Oh dear. What did they inherit that a survey would have shown up?

[bungle]

Thanks surveyor.

surveyor said:

A surveyor will only ask for electrical / damp / gas survey where he has found defects which indicate problems. We don't ask for them for fun.

I was just quoting what others on here have said about surveys, I have no direct experience (for years).

surveyor said:

I don't think any survey will see a Surveyor lifting fitted carpets.

Sorry, probably bad example. I just hear stories (on here, and elsewhere) of people saying "there was a potential problem with abc, but as they wouldn't / weren't allowed to lift/move xyz, they didn't investigate further".

surveyor said:

Even a basic mortgage survey will usually ask for some detail of tree's (well the inspection form the Surveyor is working from will). If it's an issue it should be mentioned.

If the roots are having an impact now, there should be indications.

Thanks.