Taking builders in for estimates

Dan-Dan

My point is , you have made an offer on what you have seen , and presumably want to live in , what difference should it make to the transaction what your desired building costs should or will be ?

The survery is a seperate animal , it should be done to give you an indication of the buildings faults etc , and you would presumably have one ANYWAY , even if the house needed nothing doing to it

From my POV asking to get the builders in BEFORE exchange indicates a nervous buyer who might pull out when he realises he has let himself in for more than he bargained for

Dan-Dan

bluedrop wrote: »

Taking a builder in is to validate my estimates and for him to see if the property looks okay overall...

You have already offered !! and had it accepted !
why didnt you do this beofre offering

what happens if the builder says "dont buy it"

your vendors shafted , and you made the offer without all the facts (bar the survey which you would have done anyway)

GDB2222

bluedrop wrote: »

Please tell me you were joking! Please please?

Not joking at all. We once had potential buyers who told us in great detail what they would do to tart up our house. They somehow or other thought that this would endear themselves to us and we would therefore accept their very low offer - because we would understand that they needed to hold a shedload of money back for unnecessary enhancements.

We didn't sell to them, but we did sell to other buyers who met our full asking price and didn't discuss their plans.

Errata

bluedrop wrote: »

I am not a builder. So how would I know how much the work would cost if I don't take a builder in?

Taking a builder in is to validate my estimates

How much are you planning to pay the builder for validating your estimates?

Davesnave

Not long before exchange, we let a rather dotty & clueless lady buyer bring a builder around to discuss her extensive plans for our place. That was the last we ever saw of her.

It's a difficult one.

I think I'd still probably allow one builder's visit, provided you're not obviously clueless and spouting grandiose plans.

orcocan

GDB2222 wrote: »

Not joking at all. We once had potential buyers who told us in great detail what they would do to tart up our house. They somehow or other thought that this would endear themselves to us and we would therefore accept their very low offer - because we would understand that they needed to hold a shedload of money back for unnecessary enhancements.

We didn't sell to them, but we did sell to other buyers who met our full asking price and didn't discuss their plans.

so obviously if the buyer offering full asking price made some nasty comments about your choice of decor, while the one making a very low offer remained silent on their plans, you'd have sold to the latter

don't be ridiculous please...

bluedrop

Dan-Dan wrote: »

You have already offered !! and had it accepted !
why didnt you do this beofre offering

what happens if the builder says "dont buy it"

your vendors shafted , and you made the offer without all the facts (bar the survey which you would have done anyway)

If the builder says 'don't buy it' .... I won't!

Do you suggest I take a builder with me for viewings? Is that a normal practice?

Ok, I didn't do it before. Wht should I do now? Pay for it with my life savings???

If there is something wrong with the house (that the vendor is aware) its reasonable to expect them to tell us about it . If the builder finds obvious problems that didn't catch my attention, I would be very annoyed that the vendor wasn't upfront about it....

Let me clarify something, I don't have massive extension plans etc. just putting in new kitchen, bathroom and redecoration - may be break a wall between 2 receptions (happy to leave it as it is if its too expensive)...

J_i_m

I'd think it's all about finding an amicable compromise. It's not completely unreasonable to request to take a builder around especially since it's a rather large investment.

However.. It's also worth remembering that this is still the vendors home until completion and hence they are entitled to "quiet enjoyment". I for one wouldn't be entirely appreciative to have to frequently accommodate every tom !!!!!! or Harry builder a buyer decides to consult.

So yes it is reasonable but there are limits.

Dan-Dan

bluedrop wrote: »

If the builder says 'don't buy it' .... I won't!

Do you suggest I take a builder with me for viewings? Is that a normal practice?

I suggest you take the builder BEFORE you offer......!!

I am selling a house , as we speak , if someone makes me an offer , and they are proceedable , and obviously its subject to contract , including survery , then fine , i would take it off the market etc and get the solicitior on the case etc

Fast forward a few days . the buyer gets in touch , and says he want to bring a builder round to HAVE A LOOK , immediatley , i would be thinking your either going to use this to re-negotiate the price or worst case , you`ll pull out

How can you not see that this is stuff that should be done before agreeing a sale amount?!

moneyistooshorttomention

Dan-Dan wrote: »

I suggest you take the builder BEFORE you offer......!!


How can you not see that this is stuff that should be done before agreeing a sale amount?!

That makes sense to me.

There is one particular house I have my eye on that I can see needs a LOT of work. Its clearly Old Person Style and empty and I imagine that means its a probate sale. I can see what some of the work would be from the description/photos. But, if I go looking at that particular house, then I will arrange to have one builder come with me on my 2nd viewing and price up what needs doing for me/help me spot any defects I might not have noticed. Once the builder has given his verdict I would then make an offer on the house accordingly.

It would not be appropriate to have in more than one builder OR take in any builders after my offer had been made. In the circumstances that it is an empty house (ie not someone's home still) and the fact that I'm used to being judged an honest sorta person then I might hope to get lucky and have the EA's lend me the key to visit again with my builder/another builder or have them come out and let me in a 3rd time (but that is ONLY because its empty.....).