Making repairs to my house while it is under offer?

[littlecrystal]

My house has been under offer on and off for the last 6 months. I struggle to find a house to buy myself as I am looking in a very narrow area. The current buyer is supposedly happy to wait.
In the meantime, a neighbor builder came round and said that my cracked old concrete patio in the front of the house allows water under the foundations and can be damaging it. Initially I intended to leave this for the buyer to replace up to his taste, but I am becoming increasingly uncomfortable with all the rain coming down. The replacement would cost up to 3k as it needs skipping out the current concrete, layering new front surface, new brick wall, waterproofing the exposed foundations and probably repainting the front of the house.
I could possibly just repair the cracks on the cheaper side, but it would not be on the ugly side (not keen in case I don’t manage to sell the house after all).

Not sure how to go about this. I am afraid if I start extensive repairs, it may be not up to the buyer’s taste or he may freak out thinking something’s major (structural?) going on, and also I will be left out of the pocket. If I only repair, it will probably look ugly (concrete patches, unpainted bricks left exposed etc.).

I am getting desperate as I was so keen to move but I don’t feel it is fair to leave my house in disrepair only because of the hope of moving.
Any advice, please?

Has your buyer had a survey yet?

I would be dubious about any unsolicited advice from a builder - sure he isn't just touting for business? At very least, I would get some other builders in for a second opinion.

If your house has been surveyed and the purchaser is happy then I would leave things as they stand. If the house hasn't been surveyed and the damage is a genuine problem then I guess you need to get it sorted.

I agree. Get second opinion. Sounds a bit like scaremongering to me.

If house has been surveyed then leave as it is. If it hasn't and it shows up in survey and is questioned you could either agree to reduce the asking price to cover the costs or organise yourself.

Surely if you had a front garden with soil that would also let water down into/under the foundations??

Thanks. I can trust the builder plus I can the potential damage it for myself. No survey has not done yet as the buyer is waiting for me to find a house. I guess I am terrified if problems appear on the survey, he will either freak out or ask for price reduction and at the time I will have offered on a house based on my currebt SSTC offer. But perhaps I am overthinking this.

The issue was pointed out a while ago when I had water survey done: but the builder scared me out. The concrete patio has moved away from the house wall so there is agap where water apparently goes down to the foundations. Then there are old drain pipes which are open and also nd up near foundations. Basically I am scared if I do nothing, the house will collapse (it probably won't but I am still terrified).

that's what I was thinking Bramshott

cracks in concrete paving don't make houses fall down

What causes damage is cracked or leaking pipes or drains, because a large and continued flow of water washes the soil away.