buying a cave with a road on top

Can anyone give me advice on whether to buy a cave with a road going over the back of it?

The road is a marram/gravel road leading off the "main" road, also marram.

It's an access rd leading to 5 other properties, not much traffic as they are mainly holiday homes.

The cave in question is partially reformed, with a cave built off the marram road on top of it, but the footprint of that cave is not built ontop of the cave we're thinking of buying.

Hope this makes sense. Any advice very welcome.

Its a no brainer, take professional advice before you commit. There are good Surveyors that work in the area and hopefully your Solicitor (with respect, not the Estate Agent) will know of a reputable one. The Survey is NOT as expensive as the UK, and you will also be issued with a Certificate that he/ she is satisfied that its a solid structure.

Those Holiday homes could become full time homes that the owners want to renovate / extend/ improve and then you could have a 32 tonne delivery lorry or even a 42 tonne artic travelling over the road!

Good luck to you in any case. Theres so much choice out there, if the instinct is to walk away, walk away!

Ditto from me!

I know of several people who have had problems with roads near or over the top of their caves and others who haven't, so as Lurchio says, get a survey done!

Good luck.

Caroline

[quote="cavewoman"]The cave in question is partially reformed, with a cave built off the marram road on top of it, but the footprint of that cave is not built ontop of the cave we're thinking of buying.Hmmm. Personally if I was given the choice of two caves: one with a road over it and one without, I'd take the one with NO road, every time.

Thank you, thank you, thank you
Lurchio, Mariposa, pete_1,
Oh dear, much food for thought. I'm panicking now.

The front supporting walls are at least 8 foot thick before the living areas begin , and the walls between the rooms are also thick....aprox 3-4 foot.

I'm not an engineer, but they do look pretty solid.
I will take your advice and get a surveyor. Who should I trust to know their business in the Baza area? Would an experienced cave builder also be able to advise me?

Also to consider any services in the road, water pipes and drains that could leak and seep down into the cave.

All good points, if you feel Panic now, imagine how you'll feel if something happens and you've sunk your hard earned into it. ALSO, have a trawl around this Forum for views on Cave Insurance, and some of the pitfalls of buying a 'living' piece of real estate. I don't live in a Cave so will leave the opinions/advice to others.

Basically, if its going to turn what should be a pleasant experience and a life changing adventure into a nagging nightmare, look elsewhere.

Yes, as GTClubman says, it is the services that run through the road, that can cause the worst damage to the caves below.

Find the Surveyor yourself, not via the Estate Agent! Ask a Spanish friend, ask a Spanish builder (not via the Estate Agent!) if he knows a good Surveyor. If you have a friend that lives in a cave, you could ask them.

Buying a cave, particularly one that needs work, takes time and research - please don't rush into it.

There were some numbers of Surveyors on here??? - use the search box top right. If not, email me and I will try and help you.

Caroline