Surveyor recommendations near Mussidan 244000

[Edel]

Hi - we're interested in a house near Mussidan but definitely want to get survey done to check structure, roof etc. If anyone has any recommendations for a good English speaking surveyor I'd be really grateful (also approx cost for a survey (is it around 1% of house price or generally fixed depending on number of rooms?). 

Many thanks

[alittlebitfrench]

Hello

You don’t have surveyors in France. 
 

That said, every house being sold have to have a number of diagnostic reports undertaken at the expense of the seller. 
 

These are the reports….. https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F10798

You need to look at these.

They will highlight your biggest and most expensive problems relating to the house.

In terms of the roof….it would be better to get a local roofer to have a look. Your main concern is if the roof is asbestos which a lot are in France. Very easy to spot.
 

In terms of structural issues….that is up to owner to tell you.
 

But, If the house has cracks in the render or whatever then you have problems.

Your biggest concern when buying a house is climate change (heat stress on you and the house)….don’t underestimate this. This is your biggest consideration.

Your second concern is access to healthcare facilities. Just because there are doctors in the area does not mean they are taking on new patients.

Lastly…(and this is the good news) whatever price the house is selling at is not the price you will pay. 

Knock the price down. Make sure you pay its market value not the value the owner thinks its worth. That could be tens of thousands sometimes hundreds of thousands.

That will pay for all the renovations.

The housing market in France is in crisis. Its a buyers market. So enjoy

 

[menthe]

It is totally untrue that there are no surveyors in France.  You need to google RICS France and you will see a list of current members.  Be aware you need a STRUCTURAL surveyor and not one that will just value the property or measure out the extent of your land.

I know about this organisation because my husband is on their list.  And no, I am not about to tout for business.  He is not looking for work.  Just trying to help:

[alittlebitfrench]

20 minutes ago, menthe said:

It is totally untrue that there are no surveyors in France.  You need to google RICS France and you will see a list of current members.  Be aware you need a STRUCTURAL surveyor and not one that will just value the property or measure out the extent of your land.

I know about this organisation because my husband is on their list.  And no, I am not about to tout for business.  He is not looking for work.  Just trying to help:

Googled it….would not waste my time or money.

Nobody in France employs these people. They are expats for expats. And will charge accordingly.

Complete nonsense.

Nothing is legal or binding. They can say what they want without recourse.

Edited February 14 by alittlebitfrench

[Le martin-pêcheur]

20 years ago, when buying our first very old farmhouse here (sold it many years ago), we contacted a UK surveyor who at the time wanted 2 grand, plus hotel accommodation and travel costs to and from the airport...........we declined. The French gentleman at the time who was doing the normal diagnostics gave us an in depth structural survey for 500€*, which included the diagnostics report. Whether or not the new diagnostics guys - who seem to use a laptop and a range of gadgets - can offer this service, I don't know.

* But, the house with no sanitation, cold water feed only and one fuse on the wall, he didn't have a lot to do. He didn't notice anything that we hadn't already seen in the structure, but it did reassure us that we hadn't missed anything.

Caveat emptor

[Gardian]

ALBF misses the point, does he not ?

As LMP has pointed out, what you’re surely looking for with a surveyor (and a structural one, as Mint has said) is either detail or a guide (the price will vary of course) as to where there may or may not be a problem.

There’ll be good ones in France, just the same as in the UK.  Ideally, find somebody in France who has found a good surveyor - then (and only then) it might be well worth while paying for travel expenses etc.

Looking back at the OP’s post, I’ve no idea whatsoever re fees, but you’ve got to be thinking in terms of €500/ day + expenses.

[menthe]

Gardian, when does ALBF the Mouth NOT miss the point?

I wasn't recommending using a surveyor, that decision is up to the OP.  I merely wanted to contradict ALBF's statement that there were no surveyors in France.  That statement is not true.

I believe the RICS has a very active branch in France.  However, I don't know much about their work here and certainly do not know any individual well enough to recommend them.

OTOH, I do know Mussidan and, depending on the property, a surveyor may or may not be needed.  The is a lot of old and poor housing stock in parts of Mussidan.

 

[alittlebitfrench]

3 hours ago, menthe said:

Gardian, when does ALBF the Mouth NOT miss the point?

I wasn't recommending using a surveyor, that decision is up to the OP.  I merely wanted to contradict ALBF's statement that there were no surveyors in France.  That statement is not true.

I believe the RICS has a very active branch in France.  However, I don't know much about their work here and certainly do not know any individual well enough to recommend them.

OTOH, I do know Mussidan and, depending on the property, a surveyor may or may not be needed.  The is a lot of old and poor housing stock in parts of Mussidan.

 

Bigmouth strikes again
And I've got no right to take my place
To the Human race
 

I found this from 2017

 

https://pro-seloger.com/la-rics-une-institution-au-service-des-professionnels-de-limmobilier/

 

rock and roll

This question has been asked somewhere else and OP has not responded to no one.

So who cares anymore.

The lovely Dordogne…where Brits like to get taken for a ride.

 

[menthe]

Oh so now you agree that there ARE surveyors in France?

Why did you state so categorically, and I quote from your first reply on this thread "You don't have surveyors in France".

I felt obliged to contest that statement because it was downright misleading.

BTW Martin LP, you were right not to employ a survyor from the UK!  You should always engage someone local who'd know the history and conditions of the area.  For example, where we lived in South Wales, there was heavy mining for decades so a local surveyor would or should know where likely sink holes might appear.

Equally, here where we live, I know a couple of families from a town near us where their whole "estate" (group of housing) had subsidence problems.  You'd have to be local and even to have practised for several years to know this particular history.  All the houses had to have their foundations underpinned and the local mairie organised the works for every house there.

What that surveyor you contacted, M Kingfisher, should have said was I could certainly look at the building and point out its defects to you and even provide details of the necessary works, but I would strongly advise you to get a local professional who would know the conditions and would have a better idea of the costs involved.

Buying a house is an expensive business and so not to be taken lightly.

[alittlebitfrench]

I have seen many French people buy and sell as they get on on wiith

their lives.

Just saying.

[Edel]

Hi all  - thanks so much for all your replies and info.  Sincere apols for the radio silence - we were in France when I posted but we ended travelling more than expected to other properties (and a vineyard ;)) on Wed and Thurs - it was a hectic and packed few days so I didn't get a chance to read anything properly  (we just got home to Ireland in the early hours this morning so with coffee now at my side, I'm going to read everything fully now.  Apols for the delay and thanks so much for your help and taking the time to reply 🙂  I really appreciate your insight and knowledge which is invaluable 🏚️

[Edel]

On 14/02/2024 at 07:13, alittlebitfrench said:

 

 

That's brilliant info Alb.   Thanks to you I asked the immobilier for the diagnostics - she didn't have them at the time but got them to us yesterday.  You are right - they are really detailed - it's a 75 page report !  Definitely a lot more detailed than I've ever gotten from a surveyor in Ireland or Spain.   

The report does say no asbestos identified but then does say that they weren't able to get access to lots of places ("2nd floor - Attic All No access hatch/RdC - Space under stairs Too much space/1st floor - Bedroom, 1st floor - Bedroom 2 Basement of the floors Investigation impossible without destruction/Throughout the property Floor, walls and baseboards/Presence of furniture and objects not movable")  so I guess it's still a question mark for me to look into.  There were signs of termite infestation in one bedroom etc plus lots of electric work to be done.  Interestingly, on a second visit yesterday the immobilier only told us that the toilet has a septic tank  (it's not in the country so I was surprised - apparently it's just under the toilet ....yikes)  and it's non-conforming of couse (it's in a row of houses and I asked the previous day and she said it was on the mains but she just received info on our 2nd visit that it's not).   That's not in the diagnostic report which I'm surprised at.   

So all in all, thanks for the info about the diagnostic report being a requirement.  The report is really detailed and I can see why it mightn't be necessary to get a surveyor.   On the other hand, for peace of mind , I can see that it can be helpful to get an English speaking surveyor as well (my French is Ok but I'm sure there are lots of nuances that I miss (eg 'perceived' vs existing etc).  Eitherway, I sadly guess this house is out .....onward with the search 😞       Thanks a mill for all your advice which was really helpful.  Much appreciated.

[Edel]

On 14/02/2024 at 14:19, menthe said:

 

 

On 14/02/2024 at 21:25, Gardian said:

 

Thanks a mill Gardian - really good to know.  Much appreciated 🙂

[Edel]

23 hours ago, menthe said:

OTOH, I do know Mussidan and, depending on the property, a surveyor may or may not be needed.  The is a lot of old and poor housing stock in parts of Mussidan.

 

Hi Menthe - thanks a mill for the info.   I got the diagnostic report which was really really detailed (75 pages !!) but on the otherhand, for me I think it would be good in cases like this to speak with someone who can explain things to me in lay terms as some of the text is very formal and I just might be missing something (there's also some things I had questions about which aren't in the report that I could ask a surveyor that I'd get) so for a few hundred quid for peace of mind when paying out such  a large amount for a house, I think it's definitely worth it (plus it's what we're used to and I'd feel without getting my own surveyor, that I hadn't done my own due diligence).

What do you think of Mussidan?  We went to it twice over the past two days.  It seems to have lots of things going for it (lidl, netto, intermarche, garden centre, summer pool, theatre and cinema) but it does seem to be a decaying town with a lot of maintenance needed.   I did like it and the fact it has a train station to Bordeaux is a major plus as we don't want to be driving.     

Thanks a mill for all your info and advice - I'm really grateful.

[Edel]

On 14/02/2024 at 15:49, Le martin-pêcheur said:

He didn't notice anything that we hadn't already seen in the structure, but it did reassure us that we hadn't missed anything.

 

Hi Le martin-pecheur - thanks for that.  I agree - the diagnotics report is great but peace of mind is a big thing as it's a nerve wrecking enough time as it is 🙂  Crazy money the first surveyor wanted - sounds like he wanted a holiday oyt of you 🙂Sounds like you're having a good time in France 20 years on - many thanks and much appreciated.

[menthe]

Edel, if you're still thinking about Mussidan, it's actually well located and well catered for in terms of transport.  There is a mainline station (in Bordeaux readily and the car park is still probably free!), plus it's not far from on a direct route to Bergérac with (I think) daily Ryanair flights.  Sorry, my info is not up to date, haven't been there for quite a long time.

Good Luck with your decisions.  Your posts have brought back happy memories for me....from the times and visits my husband and I were ourselves househunting in France🙂

PS  they even have DENTISTS (young and enthusiastic!)

[Edel]

Ah it is a lovely time househunting isn't it  - and while it's exhausting and stressful, you get to see so much of the real France and the differences in the towns and regions.  Plus I'm so taken by the friendliness and politeness of the French (plus they're actually letting me practice my bad French :)).   The location of Mussidan is great alright - we got the train which is fab from Bordeaux (and tram to airport for only 1.80)  and it does have great links.   Delighted you're loving France and glad that you have such lovely memories.  Thanks so much 💖 

[menthe]

Yes, that's one thing we noticed, and still do about the French.  Always polite and, in our rural part of the Dordogne, it's still the practice to say "bonjour" to everybody you meet, whether you know them or not.

So, while passing on the pavement, while joining the queue in the post office, boulangerie, doctor's surgery etc etc.  We have a C of E church very close to us and, TBH, it feels weird when Brits come and go and you never get a "good morning" or a "hello" nevermind a "bonjour".

It is all very charming, we loved it and still do!

Edel, hurry up and find that house and, if you could find a property via leboncoin or a site for private sales, all the better.  Estate agents fees are ridiculously high and could push a property outside of your budget.

[Lori]

Agree with menthe.  We've only been in the Dordogne for 14 months now, but we are amazed, on a daily basis, how friendly folks are here.  It was NOTHING LIKE THIS in the Vaucluse and certainly not in Paris (no shock there).  Quite the opposite actually.

Very happy here so far.

 

[menthe]

Lori, I'm delighted to hear you say that.  Before we moved here, I had a French friend who grew up in Périgueux and she always said that the Dordognais were "très chaleureux" and "ouvert" and so it has proved to be.

She visits me now and again to remind herself what it was like living here.

[alittlebitfrench]

1 hour ago, menthe said:

Lori, I'm delighted to hear you say that.  Before we moved here, I had a French friend who grew up in Périgueux and she always said that the Dordognais were "très chaleureux" and "ouvert" and so it has proved to be.

She visits me now and again to remind herself what it was like living here.

I have found people across all of France welcoming and open.

Well..apart from Lyon.