Problems with negligent surveyor

P

Paddingtonbear

Well-Known Member
Joined
25 May 2011
Messages
351
Visit site
Hello All
Some of you may remember that at the end of last year I posted about the problems that I was having with a surveyor whose pre purchase survey contained 41!!!! errors of fact, bad practice and metodology. I followed the advice on here but to no avail as the surveyor just ignored my communications. I contacted his professional body, IIMS, and the CEO whilst initially helpful and generally supportive was unable/unwilling to move things along or possibly acting as a gate keeper tried to take the sting out of my complaints. I have received fantastic support on here especially from one particular surveyor and have now started legal proceedings for gross negligence but the surveyor still refuses to communicate even to the extent of supplying details of his PI insurers. To go further will cost a lot of money and I am already 'out' by around £25000, which I can not afford, what next kneecapping?
 
They wrap themselves in plenty legalese and although happy to take your money, they won't accept any responsibility.

Kneecap him, it's what I felt like doing to the imbicile who surveyed my boat- apparently it was my fault I didn't question him about the faults he failed to find or tell me about.

Incidentally, if any of you on the Clyde are looking for a surveyor PM me and I'll tell you who to avoid..
 
uxb said:
They wrap themselves in plenty legalese and although happy to take your money, they won't accept any responsibility.

Kneecap him, it's what I felt like doing to the imbicile who surveyed my boat- apparently it was my fault I didn't question him about the faults he failed to find or tell me about.

Incidentally, if any of you on the Clyde are looking for a surveyor PM me and I'll tell you who to avoid..
Click to expand...

Probably the one who said my engine was a 3 cylinder VP MD 2030 when it is in fact a 4 cylinder MD22, who said the B&G instruments were sha gged when in fact they were connected wrongly, and so it went on.
Stu
 
neale said:
I think the OP is saying he won't even give details of his insurers.
Click to expand...

My mistake then I interpreted it that he refused to discuss it and had just passed him off with details of someone to take it up with. :o

You'd think professionals would have to declare somewhere upfront these relevant details in the same way that Limited companies must declare their registered address on specific items such as headed paper and websites.
 
Do you know if he has PII? If his professional association require it then they should have evidence of it.

If you think he may not be insured then run a credit check on him to make sure there are not a pile of CCJs already piled up. Suing a man of straw is just throwing good money after bad.

I hope you have a good solicitor.
 
skipper_stu said:
Probably the one who said my engine was a 3 cylinder VP MD 2030 when it is in fact a 4 cylinder MD22, who said the B&G instruments were sha gged when in fact they were connected wrongly, and so it went on.
Stu
Click to expand...

If he was IIMS and from Norfolk and his name did NOT begin with D then it probably was. I understand from another surveyor(YDSA) that the only qualification required by IIMS is a cheque :)
 
Paddingtonbear said:
Hello All
Some of you may remember that at the end of last year I posted about the problems that I was having with a surveyor whose pre purchase survey contained 41!!!! errors of fact, bad practice and metodology. I followed the advice on here but to no avail as the surveyor just ignored my communications. I contacted his professional body, IIMS, and the CEO whilst initially helpful and generally supportive was unable/unwilling to move things along or possibly acting as a gate keeper tried to take the sting out of my complaints. I have received fantastic support on here especially from one particular surveyor and have now started legal proceedings for gross negligence but the surveyor still refuses to communicate even to the extent of supplying details of his PI insurers. To go further will cost a lot of money and I am already 'out' by around £25000, which I can not afford, what next kneecapping?
Click to expand...

Find a no-win, no-fee firm to take it on?

But as stated before, check he is worth suing.
 
I used one a few years ago who was a complete waste of space, missed loads & listed things that were completely wrong :( my research at the time led me to believe it was going to be very difficult to get any recompense :mad:
 
Before naming and or shaming, check that you could confidently back up the assertions in the thread, e.g. Negligent. I would hate to see you even worse off as a result of defamation proceedings. Of course, if you can, or you get a court ruling, i'm sure we're all keen to find out who to avoid.
 
Paddingtonbear said:
I understand from another surveyor(YDSA) that the only qualification required by IIMS is a cheque :)
Click to expand...

IIMS is a company running distance learning courses including 'yacht and small craft surveyor'.
At the time I considered doing the course (fee £2000) you had to pass the individual modules and also pass a final exam.
It appears from their website that the final exam has now been dropped and a pass in all the correspondence/online modules suffices.
Unless I'm very much mistaken, at no point do you need to come in contact with a boat.

Personally, if I was looking for a surveyor and saw that he was an IIMS member I would move on.
They may well have time-served and experienced surveyors in their membership but I have not come across any.
 
Legally, technically if he has insurance and whether he claims on it is not your concern. Practically it may mean you won't get a penny, even if you get judgement. You need to contact the Registry Trust who record CCJ's, they will, for a fee tell you what judgements he has. Online is the London Gazette which may contain bankruptcy notices, if his name is common and you don't have addresses this might be difficult. Former trading names is a good thing to try.
 
Be VERY wary of court proceedings! I know of a case where the finding went against the surveyo BUT the court did not award costs. The insurance payout was swallowed up leaving not enough to replace the boat (which was not repairable)
 
Just on the off chance could he be in this area? Had one dig holes in brother's cascover sheathing. When I briefly thought about getting to be a surveyor the catch 22 between qualification/experience/insurance was the problem.
 
Could the RYA help with advive / support?

I thought i had a very good and thorough survey, but am finding out lots of errors now, e.g. Said my winches were self-tailing when they weren't, called a danforth anchor a plough, missed a leak through deck despite stains, and the blasted swivelling forestay attachment (see current thread -unsafe forestay). As i bought the boat unseen i relied heavily on honesty of seller and my surveyor. Anyhow, not complaing as i am in love!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top