How to write a letter re. renegotiating house price post surveys

NickDurham

Situation: House needs complete rewiring (this is a safety issue too - electrician said he wouldn't let a child in the house as it is due to lack of earthing on radiators and other issues) + a few other bits and bobs (chimney stack repointing, etc.).

Anyone any ideas as to how this is best approach? I'm sitting down to write a letter and not sure how to word it having never been in this position before. We've got quotes for the work. Is it just a case of saying "it transpires that X needs doing which will cost XX, and we would therefore like this amount taken off the purchase price to enable us to carry out this essential work"? Or should I go in in a more 'let's meet halfway' tone? I'm guessing not and that I should start by asking for the full amount off the price, though quite how to word that is what is eluding me. Anyone have any experience of (successfully!) doing this??

Gwhiz

NickDurham wrote: »

Situation: House needs complete rewiring (this is a safety issue too - electrician said he wouldn't let a child in the house as it is due to lack of earthing on radiators and other issues) + a few other bits and bobs (chimney stack repointing, etc.).

Anyone any ideas as to how this is best approach? I'm sitting down to write a letter and not sure how to word it having never been in this position before. We've got quotes for the work. Is it just a case of saying "it transpires that X needs doing which will cost XX, and we would therefore like this amount taken off the purchase price to enable us to carry out this essential work"? Or should I go in in a more 'let's meet halfway' tone? I'm guessing not and that I should start by asking for the full amount off the price, though quite how to word that is what is eluding me. Anyone have any experience of (successfully!) doing this??

Just phone the EA and say due to survey we are now offering X. Why make it more complicated than that?

googler

+1, Just Keep It Simple

NickDurham

Thanks guys - so not even in writing?

Also, we're still waiting for the plumber/heating guy to do a check. I'm thinking it might be better to wait till I've heard back from him before calling/writing, in case there's anything else. Part of me just wants to get things moving, to DO something! But I'm guessing if anything does turn up in the plumbing/heating then they're not going to take too kindly to yet another new offer.

silvercar

You can only reasonably expect price reductions for work that you couldn't be expected to realise needs doing.

Also, remember that some tradesmen will have a vested interest. Only radiators in bathrooms need earthing. Even then more than half the homes in the country won't have this.

NickDurham

silvercar wrote: »

You can only reasonably expect price reductions for work that you couldn't be expected to realise needs doing.

Also, remember that some tradesmen will have a vested interest. Only radiators in bathrooms need earthing. Even then more than half the homes in the country won't have this.

I appreciate that, although in this case I don't think we could have expected the whole house to have just 1 ring main.:rolleyes:

cattie

Agree with other posters here, just contact ea & outline work needed & likely costs, offering to supply copies of relevant estimates etc for vendors & let him do the rest.

It's what I've always done when needing to renegotiate on price.

chickmug

If you feel too nervous to do it through the EA, as they are working for the buyer, you can do it through your solicitor who is working for you?