Gers Engineer/similar needed
Bonjour … I am attempting to buy a house in the Gers region near Condom and need an Engineer or similar to look at a crack/s and assure me that I am safe to proceed. In Oz we would ring up an Engineer easiily to check it for us… but there doesnt seem to be anyone in this area… I am viewing the property tomorrow and was wondering what everyone else did or can anyone suggest how I can get the beam inspected … is there anyone in this region who could assist me at such short notice … mille merci’s !
Bonjour … I am attempting to buy a house in the Gers region near Condom and need an Engineer or similar to look at a crack/s and assure me that I am safe to proceed. In Oz we would ring up an Engineer easiily to check it for us… but there doesnt seem to be anyone in this area… I am viewing the property tomorrow and was wondering what everyone else did or can anyone suggest how I can get the beam inspected … is there anyone in this region who could assist me at such short notice … mille merci’s !
Righto… you’re viewing tomorrow… with the Agent ?.. I suggest you mention the crack and say that you won’t be proceeding in any way, shape or form… without detailed confirmation of the severity etc etc etc…
The Seller should be able to provide all the assurance/checks and whistles… so stand firm.
that buys you some breathing space, during which the Seller and possibly you, yourself, can find out what’s what…
Will definitely get an engineer… the rain in the area a few weeks ago has left the ceilings mouldy and more cracks …. So the appeal is starting to scare me and I don’t feel comfortable unless an engineer can say its okay and an easy fix. I have asked if the owner can under insurance get the ceilings renewed…. I have been looking for few years so its the closest I have come so huge hole in my heart at the moment Stella ….
Million thanks for taking the time to care and follow up … so nice of you ! Hope your day is a good one !
Kerry
In my area there are many properties, in a bad state, on the market at the moment.
In some instances, Owners are asking far too much for them… even those which will need major-works (including near demolition and rebuild).
It’s very disheartening for folk who see a project… get all excited… but the Price makes it not a viable proposition… bearing in mind the money yet to be spent !
If the Owner of the property has Insurance… why would they not make a claim and get the work done??? sounds very odd to me… and, unless the Price is sufficiently low… my advice would be to walk away.
Unless, of course, you have a pot of gold tucked away
Most of us on the forum know only too well how money drains away… the cost of renovations can go sky-high and Works always seem to cost more than one had thought
The dream becomes a nightmare very quickly with the wrong choice …. And yes why doesn’t the owner go thru insurance…. At E300,000 it is top money for something that you would need to start to stabilise and then correct and then decorate …. My heart knows this but the search has been so long and so hard …. Just want it to end so I can move forward and look forward to enjoying France …. Fingers crossed something pops up soon k
Dreams are what keep us going… especially through difficult times… having that “light at the end of the tunnel” … can make all the difference.
You will achieve your dream… just maybe not this time around… a little patience, common sense and strong resolve, will see you safely through the (possible) pitfalls that one finds along the way…
and remember everyone’s Dreams are out there… sometimes hidden from view, waiting for the right person to come along…
be patient
I see that you are moving on with your search, but thought I would contribute if it helps you or someone else in the future. I run a new engineering practice (SARL Dobson Structures, Siret: 950909796) and would be happy to assist.
It might also be worth looking at some online directories also (such as angloinfo and englishspoken) that would let you search by region.
Thank you so much for touching base and giving me your details … I have gone onto your website and sent you my contact info thru to you … your info was more than helpful and I so look forward to hearing from you when you get a quiet moment … k
Just for general info, the French don’t really have, or use, structural engineers like we do in the UK. If a vendor sells a property knowing there is a serious, undeclared, fault, they can be pursued for the cost of repairs by the buyer when the problem is discovered. (But no doubt that’s quite a costly battle). We found a local builder to have a look at a property that had cracks due to subsidence. You can always put a suspensive clause in the compromis/promesse saying “… subject to an inspection…” or “subject to the vendor doing the repairs…”
That was useful for me, R Dobson, as I’m soon picking up the reins again as an estate agent in the Gers. In the past I would have UK clients wanting a structural engineer, and the local chap has retired. I’ve saved your website details. Thank you!
k