I've been thinking the last few days about how different things are as far as buying a property is concerned in the UK and in Bulgaria, we all know how it works in the UK and we all know what we would do with a mortgage or buying it for cash but in Bulgaria most property is bought for cash and we seem to not bother with the things that help us decide if its the right thing to do? Which is.... most buyers never have a survey carried out or worse still a structural report and lets be honest here we have all read of the many horror stories that some buyers have had to endure once they have signed on the dotted line and parted with their cash, I know what your all thinking? This is Bulgaria and not the UK, well yes your right which is even more reason to do the obvious? From what I know most of the ex-pats in Bulgaria have either retired or are approaching the retirement age? And you will have saved for many years to be able to live out in Bulgaria so why is it not prudent to get a survey on your dream home? Lets also say that you wouldn't know if your house was built on an underground lake? Or some other disaster waiting to gobble up your home, I know from research that there are good surveyors in Bulgaria who will make a full report on your proposed property purchase and the same goes for Structural engineers, as I've already said in the UK most people are familiar with a survey being carried out for mortgage purposes. This involves no more than a visit to confirm that the property is worth the value of the mortgage. The next level up is to a full structural survey will involve a surveyor looking into every nook and cranny, and giving you a full written report and below I have written just a few things which I feel are important to any buyer in Bulgaria I'm not a surveyor so don't shoot me please.


Confirm the plot size.
Are there any rights of way to the public?
Confirm the house area and room sizes.
Give the condition of the house foundations.
Give the condition of the house walls and floors.
Give the condition of the house ceilings.
Explain the basic construction method of the house.
List details of any cracks or indications of damp or damage in the ground level or roof of the house.
Find out the condition of basic systems – water, electrics, sewage and any heating system.
Find out about any deformations, subsidence or movement.
Recommend repairs needed for all above elements.

Ok so now you tell me did you get a survey or structural report? And if so WHY? And if you didn't get any reports then WHY? and in hindsight would you do it now?

Great post Scott and I think you have asked some very interesting questions, I can only speak for myself when we bought our property were led by the agent and really excepted almost anything we were told and I think the reason for this was stupidity although what were were told by the agent turned out to be accurate we have since learned that in the field behind us there is an underground lake which in the winter rises and floods the field which then comes into our garden this was something I'm sure the agent could have found out or may have known but we weren't told about it so for us I would definitely recommend anyone thinking of buying in Bulgaria new build or otherwise is to get a full report of all you can

I am sure this will come in useful to many people looking for property. They are certainly some of the questions I asked. The only problem that here unlike the UK even though you get the answers you want to hear they are not always factually correct.

Thank you scott

Good post scott - While I agree with your thinking, I wonder if there is any recourse for compensation from a BG surveyor if there was things he missed or that he gave wrong information. In the UK surveyors and solicitors are heavily insured against mishaps of this kind.

Didn't bother.Did it Myself Mind you if a survey was done I reckon maybe 95% would pull out.Amazing also that no one uses a surveyor.

My husband is a chartered structural engineer, so of course went through our Bulgarian house
with a fine tooth comb. No crack escaped! [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

A very good post Scott and one we should all really take notice of I have to admit this isn't something I had thought about and as you rightly say in the UK its top of the list, I can only assume this is because of the low price of buying in Bulgaria compared to say the UK, but flippancy is no excuse and I'm sure as you say there are many who have come to a sticky end when their house fell down around them, I think this is great advice for anyone who is looking to buying a house anywhere in the world and I for one would not take the word of an agent who has a lot to lose if you pull out of a sale because there is a problem with the house , I have just had a look round the Internet and there are qualified surveyors in Bulgaria so think about it folks

Interesting topic and one most of us can relate to scott I did get a full survey and it was well worth having because the first house I looked at was in a bit of a Valley which in the winter flooded this wasn't apparent to me and I couldn't see any signs but the surveyor found it so money well spent as far as I am concerned so all you people who are looking think about it

This is what I've been looking for and reading whats here I'm wondering how many people who have bought a house or apartment in Bulgaria did actually get a survey done? I can see the advantages of getting it done but can anyone tell me what the disadvantages are? if any and also those that didn't get a survey can you tell me why, its a little worrying knowing what to do for the best but I suppose if in doubt then spend a little more just to be safe, but then does anyone know of any surveyors in Bulgaria and if so can you post some information here so it will not only help me but others to

This is a very good topic and one which isn't often spoken about an many of the forums which is really quite incredible! I don't know myself why more people don't do the obvious but maybe after reading this it will make others stop and think about their investment and what they are actually paying for although knowing the way the Brits in particular have been in the past I do wonder if some of them left their brains at the airport in the uk

It seems there are fors and those who don't see the point from what's here which isn't much I would like to know to what you all did when you bought as for me I was one of the foolish ones who didn't use a surveyor but as luck would have it all was and is well

I didnt either, in fact being in buisness in the uk i would never do what i did here. i met a guy on a street corner, looking like mafia in leather jacket and sunglasses and said come. we viewed the half built shell, but i could see the image my partner could not, i won in the end and thankfully we got a lovely home. but, you would never do buisness like this in the uk, abroad you are vulnerable and believe what you are told,who are you to question, not good really, stupid in reality. we were lucky. but its not the right way to do things.

This is actually quite sad all the questions that have been ask about your proposed purchase and all the threads i have read,i offered a service in which i went to the property in question before people bought and done a complete survey even to the point i explained the depth of work required to bring to a habitual standard.I gave all the information and also put it down as a schedule of works in which people could of used as a programme and or specification to get tenders,We also gave local rates for labour and trades men and also going rates for materials and where your local shop for buying said materials ,this was put together for 150 Lev all this info for peace of mind and do you now how many people ask or enquired Zero, so when i read how many people made mistakes and had a big problem with costs of materials,labour etc i laugh as the first person said in the UK you would employ all the right people yet come to BG they leave there brain back home, never mind they say you learn by your mistakes. [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

We have had 3 properties done in Bulgaria,and yes well worth having done,but and a big but all they do is the property bounderies nothing else