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Original poster

Builders visits before exchange

52 replies

Burgersauce · 20/01/2022 22:11

I am probably being grumpy but my buyers keep asking for a builders visit. I said no, after exchange- various reasons which I told them about and not going to post here but I think very genuine and understandable.

Despite this they have asked again, I am to the point where I want to pull out. Very stressed, accepted a low offer as cash buyer but feel they think this gives them huge power. Would you allow these visits? Am I being difficult?

I wouldn’t dream of harassing the owners of the house we are buying like this, especially after a first refusal. Maybe I am being obstructive though?

Genuine reasons for not facilitating it until after the commitment of exchange but possibly I am still not being fair?

OP posts:
Whingasaurus · 21/01/2022 10:32

Sorry but on your position I'd say no it's a short simple chain they can wait.

VikingsandDragons · 21/01/2022 11:08

The next people you accept an offer from are very likely to want multiple viewings too? As a buyer I'd be very concerned what was being hidden if I wasn't allowed to take my builder round.

MrsTrumpton · 21/01/2022 11:17

OP, you could always ask the estate agent to push them for a fuller explanation of why they want to bring a builder round. If it's to get an opinion on future work and whether it's do-able, fine. If it's to try and get more money knocked off, then no.

Comefromaway · 21/01/2022 11:49

We requested a visit with our builder after the survey to get an idea of the costs involved in doing things highlighted on the survey. He actually put our mind at ease as the surveys tend to give worst case scenario.

Our solicitor also told us that we absolutely must have a viewing just prior to exchange to make sure there were no nasty surprises and that we definitely wanted to go ahead.

If it had been refused I would have pulled out.

PoshWatchShitShoes · 21/01/2022 12:41

I think just at no if you're uncomfortable. I'm grateful that our vendor invited over for coffee after accepting our offer (we'd only had 1 viewing before offering).

Then after exchange, I had a visit with the curtain lady and a survey visit from a fireplace company. Both had long lead times, so I wanted to get items ordered as soon as date confirmed.

Original poster
Burgersauce · 21/01/2022 13:02

@Comefromaway

We requested a visit with our builder after the survey to get an idea of the costs involved in doing things highlighted on the survey. He actually put our mind at ease as the surveys tend to give worst case scenario.

Our solicitor also told us that we absolutely must have a viewing just prior to exchange to make sure there were no nasty surprises and that we definitely wanted to go ahead.

If it had been refused I would have pulled out.

See I won’t be threatened like that about pulling out and I think my buyer feels he has that sort of power. I have been more than reasonable to them and given the nature of why I can’t let them do everything to their benefit , I think they are being rude to ask again the day after I said no.

I don’t understand why people don’t do the builder visits at the second viewing before making an offer.

To make an offer, ask for all further viewings be cancelled and then start hassling about builders straight away is not how I would do it.

I am waiting until completion before I bring builders to the house I am buying.

Anyway I have agreed a date for next month, that gives me time to sort out the care needed for family member and hopefully will be it before exchange. I suspect they might try to gazunder last minute but it’s just a gut feeling.

Been there before- it’s so stressful isn’t it this buying/selling business.

OP posts:
Original poster
Burgersauce · 21/01/2022 13:04

@PoshWatchShitShoes

I think just at no if you're uncomfortable. I'm grateful that our vendor invited over for coffee after accepting our offer (we'd only had 1 viewing before offering).

Then after exchange, I had a visit with the curtain lady and a survey visit from a fireplace company. Both had long lead times, so I wanted to get items ordered as soon as date confirmed.

I think that’s lovely, I know I am being cryptic and vague but I can’t do things like that. I would if I could. I made the situation clear at the beginning and feel they are pressuring me a lot.

It’s not as if I mislead them at all from the start.

OP posts:
Comefromaway · 21/01/2022 13:05

I don’t understand why people don’t do the builder visits at the second viewing before making an offer.

Because you haven't had the survey results by that point.

It wasn't a threat or power thing, it was a how much is it actually going to cost to get this property I am about to spend thousands on to the way that I want it. I needed to know that info before we committed.

I guess it depends how serious a seller you are.

Original poster
Burgersauce · 21/01/2022 13:05

@VikingsandDragons

The next people you accept an offer from are very likely to want multiple viewings too? As a buyer I'd be very concerned what was being hidden if I wasn't allowed to take my builder round.
Then I wouldn’t accept your offer I am afraid. Multiple viewings is not something I can accommodate.

Lots of people work from home, lots have disabled or ill relatives. It’s not something that is easy for everyone.

OP posts:
Original poster
Burgersauce · 21/01/2022 13:09

@Comefromaway

I don’t understand why people don’t do the builder visits at the second viewing before making an offer.

Because you haven't had the survey results by that point.

It wasn't a threat or power thing, it was a how much is it actually going to cost to get this property I am about to spend thousands on to the way that I want it. I needed to know that info before we committed.

I guess it depends how serious a seller you are.

Or how cautious a buyer you are. I don’t ever get a full survey and this house is not old or complicated. All plans online, all warranty receipts left out for viewings.

As I said previously if the owner of the house I am buying said no to further visits with builders I would not start harassing the next day.

OP posts:
Original poster
Burgersauce · 21/01/2022 13:11

@Whingasaurus

Sorry but on your position I'd say no it's a short simple chain they can wait.
This is my point, this will go through very quickly. I think they just rubbed me up the wrong way after I divulged quite a sad situation (again sorry for not exposing what but you get the gist).
OP posts:
MajorCarolDanvers · 21/01/2022 14:10

Multiple viewings is not something I can accommodate
I won’t be threatened like that about pulling out and I think my buyer feels he has that sort of power

Honestly it really doesn't sound like you are in the right frame of mind to be selling a house.

Buyers asking for more than one viewing and wanting builder to come round is a normal part of the purchasing process. It's not threatening and its not an abuse of power. Buying a house is a huge life event for most people and they need to know what they are buying and need to check things out.

I get you've got something personal going on. Can you outsource this to the estate agent or someone else to handle? Because it doesn't sound like you are in the right place to handle this at the moment.

JustJam4Tea · 21/01/2022 14:18

It's very normal for someone to have more than one viewing of a huge purchase. We took a builder and surveyor round so that we could make sure what we wanted to do was feasible. (extension).

ChiefInspectorParker · 21/01/2022 14:42

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

Skilovingmama · 21/01/2022 14:47

But as others have said, refusing and having them pull out means you get ten times the disruption when it goes back on the market. And it’s for the buyer to completely satisfy themselves about what they are buying because they have no recourse once they’ve bought it. If you choose not to do full surveys when you buy, that’s up to you. It’s not unreasonable to do so at all.

waitingpatientlyforspring · 21/01/2022 14:53

@RussianSpy101

Viewings on exchange are completely normal. I would be extremely concerned you’re hiding something if you outright refused the first request and then claimed the second was harassment.
This is my thought. You are saying only after exchange of contracts would make me as a buyer think that you have something to hide that you are worried a builder would spot.
user1497787065 · 21/01/2022 15:39

My thoughts are that your buyer is spending, I assume hundreds of thousands of pounds having looked at your property twice. They have probably spent more time looking at a new sofa or dress. If they were asking if they could bring a number of contractors around I could understand your reluctance but one builder?
You're being ridiculous.

FairyLightQueen · 21/01/2022 16:02

So you'd rather be under the stress of finding new buyers, having lots of people in your house... than let one person in to look around for buyers that are in place?

Sorry OP but that's a bit silly.

Dillidilly · 21/01/2022 16:34

But if your buyers pull out, do you not risk losing your onward purchase, for the sake of one (perfectly reasonable) visit?

Hathertonhariden · 21/01/2022 16:49

I would be worried after so long whether the house was still in the same state as when the offer was made, particularly if you are likely to have a lot on your plate from what you have said. I might be wondering if your relative's condition had worsened so that a stair lift or accessible bathroom been fitted and what level of work would be needed to remove it. Or has it just been understandably been neglected.

With that amount of money at stake any solicitor would advise your buyer to check out the situation. Hopefully there isn't any major difference but you must be able to appreciate that alarm bells could be ringing as a result of your refusal.

As a pp said are you really in the right frame of mind to be selling in your current situation? Fully understand that you might be desperate to sell to get a property more suited to dealing with your home life.

A580Hojas · 21/01/2022 18:05

You seem to expect a lot of accommodation from your buyers because you have a stressful family situation. But, seriously, you can't not allow viewing because of working from home! That's nuts.

You are being quite obstructive and if you really don't care if they pull out then why do you have the house on the market at all?

Boombastic22 · 21/01/2022 19:25

It’s a Seller’s market assuming it’s a decent property. There’s a real shortage. Stick to your guns!

Boombastic22 · 21/01/2022 19:25

And all this rubbish about adding accessible bathrooms, you do need to declare this stuff!!

newyear1 · 21/01/2022 20:09

I wouldn't consider taking a builder to a second viewing, as I want to quietly weigh up the property without them in tow.

Plus builders around us are very busy and are highly unlikely to come to a speculative viewing of a property you might or might not buy.

OperationRinka · 21/01/2022 20:15

When you exchange contracts on a property you are committing to buy it at its condition on that day. Who in their right mind would do that if the last time they'd seen it was weeks or months ago?