Thread: Buy a boat have it surveyed

Talk to a lawyer, your surveyor screwed up and didn't do his job. With that much damage, he didn't even show up for the job. You just don't miss that much if you're doing your job.

Hi Chris

Sorry to hear about your bad experience.

Before anything else, have a think about all the representations that the surveyor made to you about their ability to do the job, write some notes about what was said.

Don't know how much help consumer protection agency staff will be, they are well meaning but only give general advice. I use them if I need a refresher before discussing issues with suppliers.

You could talk to a lawyer first, most will give a free initial consultation.

It would be good if you could talk to the surveyor without having to tell him that you had spoken to a lawyer already. He might be more inclined to speak freely. Take (contemporaneous) notes, to refresh your memory if it goes to court.

What accreditations, memberships does the surveyor have. What is their code of practice, complaints handling procedure. Find out what leverage devices like these you may be able to use, as engaging 'law talkin' dudes' gets real expensive real quick. (I'm sure you know this and your repair cost got real expensive real quick too).

Reputable surveyors will carry Professional Indemnity Insurance. If it is all heading south, ask who his insurer is and ask for a copy of his certificate of currency. Then hope he insured with someone reputable like Lloyds, not some dodgy out of the way place that you'd be quite unlikely to be able to claim on.

You don't mention which State you are from.

Good luck.

Howdy Aquamarine,

I agree with everything. I would suspect that many won't be insured with Lloyds, but have a general business liability insurance.

Chris, Aquamarine does this sort of business all the time so I'd be reckoning his advice is very good. Sometimes you can find a good knowledgeable surveyor outside the systems he mentions, but it is difficult for a consumer to know. Also, still speak to consumer affairs - sometimes it just looks good for your case if you have pursued the obvious avenues, even if they cannot give you specific information. Sometimes they can offer quite a lot of clout if the situation fills certain criteria.

Best wishes
Michael