Survey help please...renegotiate or walk away?

jimbog

Don’t worry about the lead pipes they’re not a threat now. Thousands of millions of children have grown up in Victorian houses without harm

AvaloniaF

Thanks for taking the time for all the replies.
I really hadn't realised the costs could be 50-60K or that it would be seen as a renovation project just from those details. It is decoratively quite nice, new sash windows, new doors, new kitchen, okay bathroom. I wasn't planning on really renovating at all.
Surely I could just wait until a new boiler was needed? Same with electrics?
I was thinking that maybe I could get a roof quote, and a quote for drain cctv and pipe repair, then ask for a house price reduction of half that cost? Reasonable plan or not a good idea?

AdrianC

AvaloniaF said:

Surely I could just wait until a new boiler was needed? Same with electrics?

Yes, of course. But I missed the mention of those. What's the issue there?

I was thinking that maybe I could get a roof quote, and a quote for drain cctv and pipe repair, then ask for a house price reduction of half that cost? Reasonable plan or not a good idea?

You can ask. The vendor may - or may not - agree.

AlexMac

AvaloniaF said:

I was thinking that maybe I could get a roof quote, and a quote for drain cctv and pipe repair, then ask for a house price reduction of half that cost? Reasonable plan or not a good idea?

Yes- good plan; and as Adrian says, they might agree, especially if you pitch it right and justify or evidence the argument for a price cut; but remember, the EA is on their side, not yours.  So act firm, and communicate in a businesslike way, and don't admit that you will buy even if they say no, as your only real leverage is to convince the EA that you will walk away (or delay by commissioning checks and getting quotes on everything else flagged upin the survey?) unless they compromise.

I'm not sure where:

... costs could be 50-60K  ...

comes from? Especially if as you say
..."It is decoratively quite nice, new sash windows, new doors, new kitchen, okay bathroom. I wasn't planning on really renovating at all. Surely I could just wait until a new boiler was needed? Same with electrics?"

So, if it ain't broke.... (and as long as the electrics are safe; which will take a couple of NICEIC hours and a few quid to establish...)  live with it happily ever after...