Buying
Så läser du en besiktningsrapport
Gör besiktningsrapporten till en förhandlingsplan — allvar, kostnad och när du ska gå vidare.
Introduction
The survey is done. You have a PDF with photos, moisture readings, and a list of recommendations. Most buyers either panic at every line or dismiss half the report because the broker said it is "normal for the age."
Neither works. A survey report is a decision document. Your job is to sort findings into severity, cost, and timeline — then tie that to price negotiation or a clean exit.
If you have not yet commissioned a survey, start with what to expect and survey cost planning.
Step 1 — Read the executive summary twice
Surveyors usually lead with critical items: safety, structural, or legal compliance. Read those first without scrolling to cosmetic notes.
Mark each finding:
| Tier | Meaning | Typical action |
|---|---|---|
| A — Safety / legal | Must fix before use or closing | Renegotiate or seller repair pre-close |
| B — Material cost | Significant within 12 months | Price credit or walk |
| C — Maintenance | Normal ageing | Budget, rarely deal-breaker alone |
| D — Cosmetic | Appearance | Low negotiation weight |
Cross-check model context — e.g. deck leaks on HR 43 vs HR 36 report patterns — to see if a finding is class-wide or boat-specific.
Step 2 — Build a cost table
For every Tier A or B item, add:
- Surveyor's description (quote verbatim)
- Your yard quote or conservative range if quotes pending
- Timeline (before launch vs winter work)
- Who pays under current contract
Use the same currency as your offer. Compare totals to your refit vs ready threshold.
Example framing for the seller: "Tier A rudder bearing — yard estimate €2,800–€3,400; we propose €3,000 credit or repair before transfer."
Step 3 — Separate noise from signal
Surveyors document everything they see. Not every line belongs in negotiation.
Usually negotiate: standing rigging past interval, active moisture at chainplates, engine coolant history, undocumented electrical, failed seacocks.
Usually accept: gelcoat crazing, dated interior fabrics, non-critical cosmetic osmosis pinholes with stable history.
If unsure, ask the surveyor for a 15-minute debrief call — clarify which items they would fix before their family sailed the boat.
Step 4 — Decide: credit, repair, re-survey, or walk
| Outcome | When |
|---|---|
| Price credit | Findings quantified; seller motivated; you can manage work post-close |
| Seller repair pre-close | Safety-critical; you want proof before money moves |
| Re-survey | Major work claimed complete — budget survey cost again |
| Walk away | Tier A total exceeds appetite; seller refuses access or credit |
Document the agreed outcome in an addendum to the sale contract — verbal promises fail at handover.
Red flags inside the report itself
- Moisture grid without methodology notes
- No photos on critical findings
- Scope clearly excluded areas you assumed were covered
- Report dated months before closing with no update after repairs
See also red flags on inspection.
FAQ
Q: Should I share the full report with the seller?
A: Share findings and quotes relevant to negotiation. Full reports sometimes get forwarded to competing buyers — agree what is confidential.
Q: Can I use the report for insurance?
A: Often yes if recent and scoped; insurers may require specific sections — ask before purchase.
Q: What if findings match survey language I do not understand?
A: Ask the surveyor to plain-language Tier A/B items; book advisory for borderline calls.
Next steps
Plan closing and handover, refine your shortlist on yacht models, or use the buyer checklist.