Considering we are in the business of offering house surveys, our answer is obviously yes, but there are a few sides to the question which we'll explore here.
A lot of the time, depending on the age, value, and type of property, the bank will request you get a house survey complete before the mortgage can be drawn down. On top of this there are no legal requirements to get a house survey complete, however, it is strongly advised for a number of reasons.
Think of it this way. If you were buying a second-hand car for €300,000 or €400,000, would you hire a mechanic to come and check it out first? Of course, you would!
The mechanic will know all of the most common issues to look out for and will be able to identify if the car has been properly maintained. Even if it is shiny and red and sexy on the outside, the engine may be run into the ground and on the way out.
When it comes to second-hand property sales in Ireland, there is zero buyer protection. Once the contract is signed and the keys are handed over, the property and all of its flaws are yours. If the house fell down the next week, you would have no comeback to the person who sold it to you.
Just like a mechanic is an expert on everything to do with a car, a surveyor is an expert on everything to do with a property, including the building, maintenance, and repair. Even if there are just a few small issues with the property, you need an expert to check these out and give you peace of mind.
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