Surveyor and Building Engineer
 
House Surveys … Project & Construction Supervision
  
   
 
Chase the Spanish Dream but don't be blinded by the sun

Agents tell you that you don’t need a survey in Spain but years of professional experience tells us that you do.   We hear so many horror stories from people who have bought property here without having it checked out first.   When purchasing a property in Spain, act as you would in the UK, insist on having it checked out by an independent Surveyor, you know it makes sense.

Most English people, when looking for their new home in Spain, appear to be seeking some kind of romantic idyll.   It is so easy to arrive in the hot sunshine, with all the feelings of euphoria and be swept along with the expectations of a new life without the day- to-day stresses of life as we know it in the UK.

The glossy brochures promise beautiful new villas with pool, gardens, etc.    However, not everyone wants to live in a shiny new villa which may not even be in the first stages of being built, some people prefer a property which has been built for a while whether it be a villa, apartment or finca.       

Estate agents are rogues and we use the term in the loosest sense of the word, when they know they have got new clients in their office who they can take advantage of because they have found their dream home and all the pre-requisites which normally go with purchasing a property go out of the window.  These are, surveys, electrical checks, etc.   They know that the clients are only interested in buying their dream at all costs.   Those three words are all important because people believe what they are told without finding out what they are actually buying.    

In the UK, when looking to buy a new place to live, the normal procedure is to have a prospective purchase checked out for any possible defects which could potentially cost us dearly in many ways.   We all know how stressful buying and selling property can be, even in UK where the principle of having a survey carried out on any building is part and parcel of the usual programme of events which have to occur before a contract to buy can be drawn up.     If you adopt the same rules here as you would back in UK and have a survey carried out then any problems will be discovered before moving in lock, stock and barrel.    

If you buy a property which needs work doing to it and the work does not move along as it should then lo and behold, out of the woodwork comes the proverbial Guardian Angel who knows everything and everyone who can help with your problems.   But, when you get a second quote he will be upset because even though he asks for no money for his help he will be well rewarded by all his acquaintances by ensuring they get the work.

Therefore the use of local builders can be another failing.   They usually know the history of a property but they rarely divulge any information, until they hit a problem they can’t solve.  They always know someone else who can help and here we have an automatic gravy train leaving the station exactly on time because here there is plenty of money to be made at your expense.   

Most if not all the problems could be avoided by taking the time and trouble in having the property checked out by a Surveyor, who will do the job properly for a reasonable fee and provide a comprehensive report which may be used as a bargaining tool to negotiate a better price.    

Unfortunately, this service is not mentioned to prospective purchasers and of course, in the main, time is of the essence if people are here for a very limited time and contracts have to be drawn up for signature before returning to dear old Blighty.

 
Copyright C.S. Services Denia 2004