Evening chaps ... I'm afraid I'm not self-builder but I am looking for some advice about buying a self-build.

This is a bit of a long one so bear with me on it.

I am looking to buy a self-build (completed in 2003) in an area which, for a number of years, was affected by mining subsidence. The local colliery was abandoned in 1992 so all movement ought to have ceased by now.

The property that previously occupied the plot of land was demolished as a result of the mining subsidence in 1996, the damage notice having been served in 1989 (ie before the pit was abandoned) ... so I'm not overly concerned by that.

The self-builder who built the property I'm looking to buy, nonetheless took precautions against future movement by building the property on a steel reinforced concrete raft. The property is a 4 bed roomed detached house and the foundation plans show concrete beams within the raft/slab under every internal and external wall.

Although they mean very little to me I have shown them to people who have knowledge of foundations and I'm told that they've "Built hospitals on less than that" ... so again, I'm not overly concerned by the situation.

The only real point of uncertainty that I have concerns the guarantee on the property, or rather the lack of a guarantee.

The property was advertised by the estate agent as having the benefit of a Zurich Insurance guarantee and having read up on the net about the quality of those guarantees I was quite reassured by that.

This guarantee was originally lost and it now transpires was never actually in existence. Rather than having a Zurich guarantee all that actually exists is a surveyors certificate granted after a retrospective inspection. Naturally my solicitor and if I’m honest myself also are a little suspicious about the whole thing, after all the self-builder has done a lot of properties locally and without doubt would know the difference between a surveyors certificate and a Zurich guarantee.

Like it or lump it I have to accept that there isn't a Zurich guarantee and that a surveyors certificate offers nothing like the same protection the guarantee would have.

Whilst my knee jerk reaction would be to back off I still think to myself that if I buy an 11 year old house in the village then I’d still be getting a house without a structural guarantee and arguably one in a worse position ... as it wouldn’t have the same protective features in terms of the foundations as this one would appear to have. I’m also thinking that even though the guarantee isn’t in place the property would still have been periodically inspected by the local authority building regs inspector so is unlikely to be ‘dodgy’ (we do have certificate of substantial completion in relation to compliance with the building regs).

So, having heard all that what do you all reckon …

1) Decidedly dodgy and should be avoided; or
2) Slight paranoia – it should be fine in view of building regs and as long as insurable then go for it.

I should add that I do want the property and the price certainly seems reasonable but I’m just wary with the various developments along the way.

Any responses gratefully received.

I’m a self builder. Good afternoon.

My last build had a Zurich Guarantee which lasts for 10 years. The Zurich inspector only came out twice, the second time to see it finished. I think you should satisfy yourself that the foundations and concrete raft as detailed in the plans exist by looking for the evidence yourself or ask a surveyor. If the property has been built to spec then you are worrying about nothing as any guarantee would have run out anyway.

So I would say its 2) Slight paranoia, although this should give you an excuse to get the price down.

I'd have thought getting a structural survey would be the most obvious option as you would for any property you have cause to need the foundations checking. You will be covered then by the insurance of your structural surveyor, that's why they have to be chartered.