Buyer wants to bring round handyman between exchange and completion

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Just this really. We exchanged Thurs before Christmas with completion to take place on 9th Jan. Buyer wants to bring round a "handyman" to see what work they want to do after they move in. Is this normal?

I'm not feeling very generous towards them as they had a late survey and then tried to force us to drop the price by another 20 grand. Can I say that they should wait until after completion?

You were barely a couple of posts away of the continuing conversation, how are you too lazy to keep reading?

I was confused why they assumed the other type of deposit was done, asked, someone responded, I found out what they meant, and I clarified why I asked. A normal adult exchange.

Why was there a need for the childish reply?

I had a buyer who was in and out with builders before exchange - jt was a complete and utter PITA. It was still our house and annoying to have to accommodate every other day. She then arsed us around. So as they have already been a pain I’d say no unless it really isn’t an inconvenience at all.

You’ve exchanged. They legally can’t.

Maybe you will want them to forward post if anything turns up unexpectedly. Also just because they've acted like shit doesnt mean you have to, Offer them an hour or so at a time of your choosing. It's fairly normal to ask but you dont have to agree, you can just say it's inconvenient.

If it's England or Wales they cant try for further reductions in price, their solicitor and/or the estate agent would soon tell them that, unless something included in the contract becomes damaged when you have to replace like for like.

Agree with PP's just say sorry no it's not convenient. By what means are they making the request, do they have your personal number? If they are a pain I'd knock that on the head and communicate only through EA and solicitor. Good luck with the move

Presumably they are not asking to bring workmen into your house over the Christmas holiday, so it will be next week when everyone is back at work, four days before completion when you will be packing etc.

Just say sorry it's not convenient.

It's got nothing to do with price, it's about you having to put yourself out to accommodate them. If you don't want to do that, then don't.

Plus you might just need their cooperation around completion or as a PP says, for forwarding post when you’ve moved. Many people try to knock something off the asking price but now you’ve exchanged that’s fixed.

If you can help, then let them look around but stay with them when they’re in your property

Tbf 'Who says there was a deposit?' was already setting the snarky tone.

They wanted to do it tomorrow at 10.30! I said no as we have plans now they want to come Tues at 10.30. Estate Agent been trying to arrange I've not met them up to this point.

N’ah, it’s Christmas, they’ll just have to wait. 😤

No, it wasn't after the exchange. There's a chance if you are that kind of person to think that initially and I would have just ignored theat post.

But this was after, with the full conversation there, where the context then completely removed this possibility. Which is why I responded.

Message back.

"To be clear, no day is convenient between now and the completion day of 9th January 2026. It's a very busy time of year, I have previous commitments, house guests, work and other personal plans. On top of all that I am packing in preparation for the move and cannot accommodate more demands on my time or last minute visitors to my house. Please don't ask again."

That'll shut them up.

What do you lose by allowing this? Bear in mind that you may need to continue to be in touch with your purchasers after everything has gone through if the post office fails to redirect the post or (like me) you forget to update the delivery address with an online order.

It's like reading a Benny Hill sketch this thread 😂

Seems many posters on here have never bought or sold a property!

You've exchanged, so you have a contract agreed on your selling price, their purchase price. Legal contact. You've received the deposit.

Any variations now will cost them ££££s.

Let them send their handyman round. I really can't see a problem with that. There are probably bits they want doing when they move in and want to book handyman in on a date.

I can't believe how ignorant so many people on this thread are.

Assuming you're in England, once you've exchanged if the buyer backs out they lose the deposit, which is in almost all cases 10%. They would idiotic in the extreme to do this just because they couldn't pop over to measure.

Just say no.

I think it would be incredibly churlish not to let them come round. They may want to start work as soon as they complete and before they move in and if you’ve exchanged, they’re not going to be in a position to try to negotiate another price reduction. We’re in the process of moving and I have had no objection to the buyers making a second visit, and they will be coming back with their builder once we’ve exchange contracts.

I wouldn't have any issues with the buyers coming around after exchange, as in the OP's case. However, just after Christmas would be a "hell no" from me, at least until next week. I previously moved on 6th Jan. I was lucky to have the days between Christmas and new year off, and did all of the packing during that time, and then went back to work for a few days before the move. I'd be telling the EA that we weren't free until after New Year, and ignore any further calls until 5th Jan!

Same. The survey we did showed the electrics failed all safety measures. So we sent over an electrician to draw up a quote because we would need certain works done before it would even be safe to take a shower without risk of electrocution. Sellers who don’t have pristine surveys showing a house has been well maintained shouldn’t be blocking tradesmen from going in to inspect and provide quotes to the buyers.

Tell them you’ve all got flu and diarrhoea and they’ll have to wait. There can’t be many workmen booking people in this week

Thanks for your replies everyone. Interesting variance of opinions. I'm not a nasty person so will let them come round.

Our buyer asked us for a few measurements as she wanted to see if some of her furniture would fit. We measured the space and sent them to her. Job done.

No they can’t

Tell them to wait till they have possession. Then repeat.
Leave it at that.
They re committed to buying so it probably is just a builders heads up for them. But they can deal with it later. It might not suit you to sit around there whilst a handyan walks around. Just say no.