Survey required on new build?

Theboinkmaster

Looking at new build in terenure - college square by ballymore.

I had a surveyor lined up for second hand houses but when I asked him about new build he said don't bother just do a snag list.

What do ye think? €300-500 for piece of mind or overkill? Chances of pyrite etc?

Also in a new build how do you test sound insulation? It's a semi d and next door empty at present so how do you know how good the dividing wall is?

Gumbo

Theboinkmaster wrote: »

Looking at new build in terenure - college square by ballymore.

I had a surveyor lined up for second hand houses but when I asked him about new build he said don't bother just do a snag list.

What do ye think? €300-500 for piece of mind or overkill? Chances of pyrite etc?

Also in a new build how do you test sound insulation? It's a semi d and next door empty at present so how do you know how good the dividing wall is?

Pyrite can takes years to materialise. Ask for proof of What stone/fill material used. Say Clause 808 hardcore or SR21 compliant fill material.

Sound insulation is achieved by building the party wall using one of the acceptable standard details. Ask for a section through the party wall showing its construction build up. Or you can pay to get an acoustic test carried out, but probably pointless with nobody living next door.

If they are new homes, are they under the new building control regulations? They would need completion certs from DCC so that will mean assigned certifiers engaged, which means stricter supervision during the build in theory.

Warrior1916

You should get a survey done regardless.
Look at Priory Hall it was not pyrite that forced them out of their homes but lack of fire safety building. You need to ensure proper fire safety.

As for sound bring a battery operated radio blast it out. Get family to come over run up stairs, flush toilet etc, shout as if they are arguing...you get the drift...that should give you some indication.
Also check to see if some of the development is ear marked / sold to council for social housing. Most new builds will now have a mix of private owner occupiers...council renters and be careful of this one buy to lets with absentee landlords who rent to anyone...do you want continuity of neighbours?

Gumbo

Warrior1916 wrote: »

You should get a survey done regardless.
Look at Priory Hall it was not pyrite that forced them out of their homes but lack of fire safety building. You need to ensure proper fire safety.

As for sound bring a battery operated radio blast it out. Get family to come over run up stairs, flush toilet etc, shout as if they are arguing...you get the drift...that should give you some indication.
Also check to see if some of the development is ear marked / sold to council for social housing. Most new builds will now have a mix of private owner occupiers...council renters and be careful of this one buy to lets with absentee landlords who rent to anyone...do you want continuity of neighbours?

Fire Safety issues will be well covered up by the time the OP gets to do a snag/survey on the property.

The sound test you describe will be irrelevant as there is not sound regulations as such from upstairs/downstairs, mainly the separation between dwellings only.

RORY O CONNOR

New house so snaglist rather than full survey required. If the development commenced before March 1st last year then AC not part of the process. Pyrite should not be an issue these days as the affected quarries are closed and stone now comes certified.