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Agreed. Surveyors can advise on which bits are negotiation points and which bits are just things to expect down the road. Some buyers think ALL flagged issues are negotiation points.
The flip side is some sellers think their house is 'perfect' as-is.
JonoMarshall-
For sure, and I say all that as someone who asked for £25k off this place. Got £12.5k off in the end. Kicking myself slightly with hindsight that I didn't negotiate harder (was still a good deal but some of the works needed done sooner than expected - eg. the impromptu shower in the middle of the bedroom ceiling put a hustle on fixing the roof), but it was backed up by surveys and visible issues.
Luckily our sellers knew the place was fucked.
stevo_com
If you try and chip them for £4.5k because you think it might need a new roof and that hasn't been brought up in the survey or there is no visible sign of damp or leaks, then I'm afraid you're contributing to the worst parts of buying/selling. The sellers likely haven't replaced it as they don't think it needs it. If it is not leaking/visibly sagging/tiles coming off left right and centre or the surveyor hasn't said "not sure about roof but will likely need replaced in 5-10 years, then the seller would be totally reasonable to tell you to jog on.
And using "they need my purchase to get their dream home" is pretty shitty tbh.
If it doesn't need replaced now, it will in future. Maybe by you, maybe by the next owner. But that is part and parcel of owning a house. You don't negotiate based on every potential future expense. If something is falling apart now and the place hasn't been priced accordingly, then go for it. But if surveyor and lender agree the house is worth the accepted offer, then caveat emptor.