Page 6 | Buyer wants to bring round handyman between exchange and completion

Growlybear83 · 29/12/2025 21:08

user1485851222 · 29/12/2025 20:54

Definitely not. I would put money on the fact they will try to get you to drop the price. Just say unfortunately it's not possible as you have family staying, boxing up etc. They can get them in the day or day after they move in. My builder came round with me on my 2nd viewing not so I could lower the offer, but to tell me if my ideas were viable.

But how can they try to get the OP to reduce the price further now that contracts have been exchanged? The buyer would lose their 10% deposit if they decided to pull out at this stage.

Harmonypus · 29/12/2025 21:14

My buyer did this to me about a month before exchange.
I was going to be home the day they wanted to come over, then the buyer's boyfriend turned up with his 'mate' who just stood in my kitchen chasing to me whilst the boyfriend went around my home taking photos.
I felt somewhat put out by this 'deception' and reported to my agent who went back and told them i wouldn't be letting them in again until completion!

ETA I received a call from this new owner (we completed early September) and couple of nights ago complaining to me that the ndn is complaining about the renovations she's doing.
What's it got to do with me? Nothing. I've never had an issue with the ndn's on either side in the 24yrs I lived there and she's complaining to me about a lovely guy who has twin 14month olds, when her workmen are starting work earlier and finishing later than regulations allow, and most probably upsetting the babies. I told her to be nice to the ndn's, they've been there longer than her and she might need their help one day!
Then I blocked her number!

DeftWasp · 29/12/2025 21:42

Miaminmoo · 29/12/2025 19:48

We took our electrician round after exchange but to be fair our vendor wasn’t living there and we knew we would have issues with the internet and sky so we’re trying to get ahead of the problem. If they complete on the 9th it’s hardly urgent - you decide.

I am an electrician, and it's really common - why, because most of us in the trades are very busy and buyers want to get us booked in as soon as possible, and to give a quote we have to see the house.

After exchange the finances are fixed, they can't ask for more off without risking their deposit - it is what it is, handyman looking at what jobs they want him to do.

ultracynic · 29/12/2025 22:07

I probably would, but I am forever grateful to the previous owners of our house who gave us a KEY for the two weeks between exchange and completion. They had several dogs and had already moved out, and we had a newborn baby, so it allowed us to get the stinking hairy carpets out and new ones put in before all our furniture arrived.

Lyraloo · 29/12/2025 23:23

MN2025 · 28/12/2025 16:49

Just say that this is not possible as you are packing up the house ready to move. I’m sure two weeks won’t make a difference for them!! They can hold off…

It might mean the difference between having the work started as soon as they move in and having to wait for God knows how long!
Its churlish and miserable to refuse the buyer popping in for a short time to arrange a few things!

changeme4this · 29/12/2025 23:37

Offer to send photos of the relevant areas ?

Snakebite61 · 30/12/2025 08:29

Greekurn · 28/12/2025 16:44

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?

Tell them to wait. They don't deserve consideration.

Original poster

Greekurn · 30/12/2025 08:40

I know especially as our estate agent suggested any repairs would have cost no more than a grand. I did drop the price by 2 and half grand bearing in mind they had originally got it for a good price to start wirh. Which then meant more delays as they had to get another mortgage offer. They then wanted to wait to see if they could get a better offer after the budget.

Anyway they're coming round this morning with the estate agent. I'll let you know if I hear anything more after.

OP posts:

Rednotdead · 30/12/2025 09:12

If you don’t want to just tell them it’s not convenient

angela1952 · 30/12/2025 09:14

We viewed our last house twice and had got a significant sum off the house because it needed a huge amount of work which was mainly things they'd done but completely botched, such as the roof. They'd tried to cover up things that needed doing and we knew that they were asking way over the odds compared with other local homes that were completely renovated. She refused to let us in to measure up or anything between exchange and completion.
In the end this really didn't matter to us, though the estate agent was surprised that they were being so difficult.
I'm pleased to hear that you've let them come in, I'm sure it's not very convenient but it's just a quick tidy up.
The best of luck with your move on 9th.

HoppityBun · 30/12/2025 09:17

Growlybear83 · 29/12/2025 21:08

But how can they try to get the OP to reduce the price further now that contracts have been exchanged? The buyer would lose their 10% deposit if they decided to pull out at this stage.

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They’ll lose more than the 10%. After exchange, they have contracted to purchase the property.

HoppityBun · 30/12/2025 09:18

FryingPam · 28/12/2025 16:46

Also to say, yes you can refuse, but don’t forget that they can say they want another £k off two minutes before completion

They can say what they like, but they’ve contradicted to purchase a the agreed price

MaggieFS · 30/12/2025 09:25

Well done OP, it’s the decent thing to do. Please remember to take everything your EA says on costs with a large pinch of salt. You’ve got the safety net if having exchanged, so you’re in a good place.

noidea69 · 30/12/2025 09:27

Namesss · 28/12/2025 16:49

I wonder if this could be their way of trying to drop the price further?

'we found we'll be spending more on the repairs/work than we had initially estimated and need the price reduced to reflect this'

100% this is what they will try and do, tell them the can wait a week.

SomethingRattling · 30/12/2025 09:27

Greekurn · 28/12/2025 16:51

I just feel like I dont trust them now and they could be getting someone round to try and suddenly want another price reduction at the last minute

Its too late for another reduction but you aren't obliged to have them round if you don't want to. Just say no.

Elektra1 · 30/12/2025 10:22

FryingPam · 28/12/2025 16:46

Also to say, yes you can refuse, but don’t forget that they can say they want another £k off two minutes before completion

They can’t, because they’ve exchanged contracts committing them to buy for the price in the contract.

Given the messing around re the price drop, I would decline the request. You don’t owe them a favour.

Winterburn · 30/12/2025 10:45

A friend of mine just sold a house and had a terrible buyer. Kept delaying, then sending people round to find fault then pushing for money off. By the end of it, if I was her I’d just have pulled out to spite them! Either pay what’s agreed or I’m out! Appreciate some people will be in a chain with their “dream house”, but honestly there would just come a point for me where I’d say take it or leave it.

Lyraloo · 30/12/2025 10:46

noidea69 · 30/12/2025 09:27

100% this is what they will try and do, tell them the can wait a week.

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Utter rubbish, stop scaremongering! They have exchanged contracts, that’s a legal agreement to buy at that price.

DrPrunesqualer · 30/12/2025 15:31

FryingPam · 28/12/2025 16:46

Also to say, yes you can refuse, but don’t forget that they can say they want another £k off two minutes before completion

You can’t drop the price after exchange as this is a legally binding stage in property sales, and doing so is a breach of contract, risking your deposit and potential compensation claims.

the price is fixed unless both parties agree to a new contract

FollowSpot · 30/12/2025 15:42

The thick and clueless are out in force on this thread.

Selling and buying is stressful enough without people wilfully misunderstanding the process and taking things personally in a transaction of hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Rosscameasdoody · 30/12/2025 18:30

noidea69 · 30/12/2025 09:27

100% this is what they will try and do, tell them the can wait a week.

Show quote history

Nope. Contracts have been exchanged so the price is set. If OP refuses to reduce and the buyer pulls out they will lose their deposit and be liable for OP’s costs.

Daytimetellyqueen · 30/12/2025 18:37

There’s no way I’d have let them but since you said it was this morning, I hope it went ok.

Skybluepinky · 30/12/2025 19:25

Tell them no.

Nantescalling · 31/12/2025 21:03

Perhaps you could check with your solicitor about whether they can ask for a reduction after the contracts have been exchanged. If not, then why not be nice.? Everyone tries to get the price down, don't they?

DrPrunesqualer · 31/12/2025 21:14

Nantescalling · 31/12/2025 21:03

Perhaps you could check with your solicitor about whether they can ask for a reduction after the contracts have been exchanged. If not, then why not be nice.? Everyone tries to get the price down, don't they?

They went round yesterday morning
Changing the price means agreement and a new contract and exchange date
Once contracts have been exchanged both parties are contractually tied in