Sellers say they are taking the fireplace with them?

ben_m_g

Some good advice about asking for removal before completion, and I would second the opinion that I would not want them to fit another fireplace.

After all you brought it for the finish and the sellers will only fit the cheapest fireplace they can get if they are pushed. This will also hide any damage that is incurred when the remove the original.

makeyourdaddyproud

pleasedelete wrote: »

Sorry £6k is rubbish. We have replaced a number of giant fireplaces in our edwardian files- we have 16 open fires. none have cost even a fraction of that.

I agree prices will vary, but one costing a fraction of that will indeed merit the undetailed, plain del boy rubbish label you so obstinately proclaim but proud to install.

So how is £6k rubbish? £10k get an enviable piece.

stator

I think you should say to them, "you need to replace the fireplace with something else before exchange. We will inspect the new fireplace and see if our offer still stands"

AdrianC

It's quite simple. You haven't exchanged yet, so nothing is cast in stone.

You want to take the fireplace? Fine. The offer was based on the property with a fireplace. No fireplace, then the purchase price is reduced to compensate for the cost of finding a replacement and fitting it.
Don't like that idea? Fine. Leave the fireplace or replace it with one of equivalent quality.
Don't want to do that? Fine. Goodbye, and thanks for wasting our time.

PasturesNew

I'd go down the route of making the offer subject to me supplying a replacement fireplace and them getting it fitted (so you at least get to choose what a replacement looks like) - and me inspecting the work before exchange.

Everybody's happy then.... but a lot of faffing about. If they wanted to keep the fireplace they should ideally have removed it and fitted another prior to putting it on the market, to avoid confusion and nuisance.

DRP

Given this issue wasnt made clear before you offered:

let them remove it and do it now, so you can make sure there's no major issues left behind ASAP.

negotiate your offer down by a few hundred (£500-1000?) to reflect the replacement and remedial work.

audigex

I'd agree with Adrian or PasturesNew - either get the price reduced accordingly (or back out of the sale), or insist on a suitable replacement - suitable being "of similar quality" not just "as long as there's something there". If the latter, insist on it being a condition of the sale.

At the end of the day they changed the situation after you made your offer, so you're perfectly entitled to change or amend it.

[Deleted User]

I bet the estate agent included a photo of the fireplace on rightmove too. Ironic.

macman

People who mess you about like this are inevitably going to mess you about further down the line, so discount your offer accordingly, plus some on top for the hassle factor. Or get them to replace with a similar repro fireplace.
Of course a fireplace is a permanent fixture and fitting, so if you let them remove this without a price reduction, where will it end? Take the doors off maybe?
They are quite entitled to change their mind about what's included up to exchange, and equally you are entitled to revise or withdraw your offer up to the same point..

ellie27

Deleted_User wrote: »

I bet the estate agent included a photo of the fireplace on rightmove too. Ironic.

Oh yes, the lounge was taken with big wide lens with the fireplace being at the centre of the photo making it all look lovely!