EIC Report - Quote for work

Tinks22

Hiya, I am currently in the process of moving house, the chain is all complete. Our buyer requested at his own expense an electrician to come out and do a report. It came out from that report that there is some work to be done (Level 2 and Level 3 faults). The total cost of the work is just over £700.

I am not sure how this all works going forward, our estate agent said we need to have paid and completed the work before completion, is this correct? Are we supposed to negotiate the costs of anything and do we need to inform solicitors as well? Not really done this before so any advise is appreciated.

Thanks

user1977

Tinks22 said:

I am not sure how this all works going forward, our estate agent said we need to have paid and completed the work before completion, is this correct?

No, nobody needs to do anything. The purchaser could just add that info to their list of maintenance/improvement points they might want to deal with after they move in.

The buyers might want to try negotiating something with you, but I'm not sure that £700 worth of work is to be unexpected (given that electric regulations change all the time, so most properties probably have some sort of non-compliance). No need for you to do anything about it unless asked.

anselld

You are not obliged to do anything.  It is the buyers report and they can decide what they want to do which may include trying to negotiate a reduction which you may or may not accept.

The thing is electrical regs change all the time.  If the buyer wants to bring everything up to latest regs then that is their choice and you are not obliged to pay.  

Level 3 are advisory anyway, most people don't bother.  Level 2, depends what it is, if it is upgrading to current regs I would say buyer pays, if it is some damage or fault then probably seller should consider paying.

eddddy

Tinks22 said:

I am not sure how this all works going forward, our estate agent said we need to have paid and completed the work before completion, is this correct? 

It's more likely that the buyer has requested that you pay for and complete the work before completion.

You are free to reply with something like any of the following...

• No - if the buyer wants the work done, the buyer will have to do it after completion
• I'll do the work before completion if the buyer pays for it (or maybe pays 50% of it, or whatever)
• Yes - I'll get the work done and I'll pay for it before completion

Then it's a matter of seeing what the buyer says. For example, if you refuse to do it, do you think the buyer would walk away for the sake of £700?


Also, what exactly are the C2 and C3 issues?

For example, C3 issues could be wiring that doesn’t meet the latest regulations, but that doesn’t necessarily pose any kind of risk.

Rodders53

Then add in that C2 and C3 are frequently a matter of opinion and a different technician doing an EICR on the same installation could code the issues differently or not at all.

BTW tell your EA that they work for YOU not the Buyer.  If they are that keen to get the work done (and a Sale completed) then let them pay for it out of your Fees to them!

eddddy

Rodders53 said:

BTW tell your EA that they work for YOU not the Buyer.  If they are that keen to get the work done (and a Sale completed) then let them pay for it out of your Fees to them!

As you imply, the estate agent will be saying whatever they think will get the sale completed quickest.

It's even possible that the estate agent is saying different things to the seller and buyer, for example...

• saying to the seller "you must get this work done before completion"

• and saying to the buyer "you will have to do this work after completion"

... in the hope that either the buyer or seller will 'do as they're told'. And the estate agent doesn't care which.

born_again

Wait & see what buyer says.
If they want you to pay, you could request your own & see what that says.
Then the haggling can start.