Renegotiate on price

[Deleted User]

Hi everyone, we are progressing with our sale and purchase (phew!)
We've had the survey back on the property we are looking to buy and there are a few remedial issued which have been flagged. We're going back to the solicitor to advise what we would like to address in the hope of either getting the work completed/monetary compensation towards them. 
One thing i'm not 100% sure about is the windows and doors in the property. We originally viewed the property in fine weather (back in September) and the wood framed windows and doors looked ok but in need of some filing/painting/repair. This looked manageable and we were happy to proceed on this basis. We've since had the property report back (and a lot of wet weather!) and the report has highlighted two units as rotten and needing to be replaced. 
We've looked at the photos provided and it is clear they haven't been maintained since we viewed back in September. The paint has now been completely stripped away in parts and the wood underneath is rotten (damp and crumbling). 
We got a window company round to check the units for us (as I know some surveys over-exaggerate the issue to cover their backs) and they have highlighted two units which need to be replaced as they are now beyond repair, one is a bay style french door at a cost of £6K! 
This has come as a bit of a shock as it would need to be a bespoke unit given the style of the door, hence the price. 
Would it be a reasonable request to go back to the seller and ask for some allowance towards this or are windows and doors seen as a 'cosmetic' issue and not normally negotiated on? 
With the weather getting worse, we don't want damp to start creeping into the property through these areas and creating bigger issues down the line. It is clear from the photos they haven't been maintained well since we viewed so we're a bit torn as to what to do. 
Would appreciate any advice or guidance if you have found yourself in a similar situation!
Thanks

_Sam_

I'm looking to replace the windows in the future and having researched a little including discussions on this forum, it appears the prices vary wildly. For example this thread: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6346034/everest-window-prices-have-i-been-had/p1

I therefore wouldn't expect the seller to be necessarily forthcoming about your quote. On the other hand would you like to leave it to the seller to fix, they may do an absolute minimum of the job that you would then will want to re-do anyway. Perhaps it is an issue of some negotiation where you may have to take some hit but in the end would get a good quality doors arranged by yourself.

[Deleted User]

_Sam_ said:

I'm looking to replace the windows in the future and having researched a little including discussions on this forum, it appears the prices vary wildly. For example this thread: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6346034/everest-window-prices-have-i-been-had/p1

Thank you! It is a curved /bay style french door so not a standard door you would expect to see. We've also avoided the larger companies for quotes and have opted for a local provider we have already used before and who seems to be fair when it comes to cost. May look at getting some more quotes in case this is deemed expensive

lookstraightahead

I'm all for getting a reasonable deal but at the outset, not towards the end of the process.

Our survey report was 80 pages but it's an old house and we expected to have to do some work.

how old are the windows? 

I usually see things more from a buyers perspective, but windows are things yih can see on viewing (when you say haven't been maintained since you viewed, how long ago was this?) so as a seller I probably would say no, and dig my heels in.

Did you pay over asking? 

jonnydeppiwish!

Just propose it to the vendor. If they do accept then great, if not then you have to decide if you still want to proceed.

I’m with @lookstraightahead on this, if it’s obvious now, it would have been obvious in September.

EssexHebridean

In fairness September was at the end of a long dry summer - and we’re had some harsh weather since then, here at least. I’d say it was very possible that things could have deteriorated quite fast since. It’s also possible that things like paint flaking off badly (a elated by frames being very dry when viewed, and a possible rapid expansion as the weather changed) might have made any issues far more apparent now than they were 4 months ago. 

What does your solicitor say about asking for an allowance towards the cost of the replacements? And realistically, was this something that you had already factored in as needing doing at some point in the not-too-distant anyway? 

Think through what resolution you would be happy with on this - a 50/50 split maybe? And also how much if a deal breaker it is for you allowing the financial position you are in - and the value of the house compared to what you are paying too. 

[Deleted User]

EssexHebridean said:

In fairness September was at the end of a long dry summer - and we’re had some harsh weather since then, here at least. I’d say it was very possible that things could have deteriorated quite fast since. It’s also possible that things like paint flaking off badly (a elated by frames being very dry when viewed, and a possible rapid expansion as the weather changed) might have made any issues far more apparent now than they were 4 months ago. 

What does your solicitor say about asking for an allowance towards the cost of the replacements? And realistically, was this something that you had already factored in as needing doing at some point in the not-too-distant anyway? 

Think through what resolution you would be happy with on this - a 50/50 split maybe? And also how much if a deal breaker it is for you allowing the financial position you are in - and the value of the house compared to what you are paying too. 

Thanks EssexHebridean. This is what the reports we have received have also stated, the weather recently has been extremely wet where we are too. We've noticed this with our garden shed, in the summer the condition was fine, but in the last few months, the exterior trims are sodden and starting to crumble. And these were painted with exterior garden paint that is meant to be 'weather proof'. 

We have spoken to our solicitor and they've asked we go back to the estate agent to see if we can get some sort of allowance towards the work given that the condition is different to when we initially viewed. We had factored in repair costs (filler/paint etc) but not a whole unit to this value! We were happy to live with them in the condition they were for a few more years, but they aren't in that condition anymore. 

We're going back to them to see what they say, no harm in mentioning it and see. Wouldn't mind so much but there are a few other areas which would have been small £100 fixes that have been left and are now costing a few £1000s (the windows being one of them!) all due to this weather we are having. 

Given we have seen the property in one condition and it is different now, it is really difficult to know what to do. But we are still maintaining our property even though we are sold, I just think that's fair.

diystarter7

Hi OP
In older houses, even the ones that look great, there will be surprises.
Your choice but personally and we have done this, go in with a cheeky price
and see what they say - indeed this is done via the EA.
The EA will be reluctant as only a completed sale makes them money
Do your homework and approx costs work on that
I very much doubt you will get it all.
We always buy on the basis that we will need to replace the cH, wiring, do the windows and doors, full re-dor, new kitchens etc -
we first look at the location, the access to the property, potential for OSP more cars, are we being overlooked/etc/etc - if we happy with all that - even if the buyer only budges by very little ie won't cover the reasonable cost, we go for it

You can always back out as can sell.

Some sellers can take offence at price reductions, like I can, so you decide what to do but a real seller will take it on the chin just like I have in the past

Good luck

Thanks

MobileSaver

diystarter7 said:

We always buy on the basis that we will need to replace the cH, wiring, do the windows and doors, full re-dor, new kitchens etc -

You must only ever buy complete dumps if you always buy on that basis!

diystarter7

MobileSaver said:

diystarter7 said:

We always buy on the basis that we will need to replace the cH, wiring, do the windows and doors, full re-dor, new kitchens etc -

You must only ever buy complete dumps if you always buy on that basis!

Good morning

Close mate but as they say friend, buy the worst on the best street in a very nice/best location When they are not "complete dumps" often friend, the windows are 20 years old the CH is close to that, the roof is original, the drive is small dates, the bathroom is dated as well as the kitchen at least 15 years old and we dont do carpets so real wood floors we do our own doors to our taste et

It works for us, friend, thank you

Thanks