What Are Repairs That Homebuyers Can Request?

When choosing a new home to purchase, homebuyers will often encounter major issues that warrant repair requests.

If the integrity and safety of the home is involved, sellers may be willing to shoulder the costs. What are some of the repairs you can request for?

Electrical Repairs

Faulty wiring poses a risk for inhabitants. Homebuyers should check if their inspections reveal exposed wiring, blackened areas in power outlets or any burning smells.

Existing electrical damage or deterioration is particularly a major issue for older homes. For instance, pre-1960s homes usually have ungrounded wiring. The latter is not ideal for plugging in newer devices and appliances that require significant power (e.g. widescreen TVs, laptops and desktop computers).

Additionally, homebuyers should also ask sellers to overhaul disorganized and dated circuit breakers. They often harbor tangled wiring that are difficult to sort out. Moreover, old circuit designs are no longer suitable for providing power to a home equipped with modern devices and appliances.

Piping And Plumbing Repairs

Plumbing problems can badger you after you’ve closed the deal on a new home. There are a number of ways these issues can manifest themselves.

For instance, some homes with older sewage systems have Orangeburg sewer pipes. These pipes normally last for 50 years tops. Any longer and they start to deteriorate — making leaks and bursts more likely.

It’s not unreasonable to do a sewer inspection and trenchless sewer repair — if it comes to that. While replacement or repair of sewer lines can be costly, some sellers are amenable to these options.

In addition, mineral and trace metal build-up in galvanized piping can cause clogging over time. As a result, you could experience slow drains in the kitchen sink, bathroom and other parts of the house. You can ask the seller to replace the latter with copper, Pex or other more modern alternatives.

Heating, Ventilation And Air Conditioning (HVAC) Repairs

Homebuyers can request HVAC system repairs if the home inspection reveals significantly dated or damaged equipment. For example, a typical air conditioning (AC) unit lasts for about 15 years and if an expert recommends replacing it, consider bringing it up with a seller.

Just remember that replacing an AC unit is quite costly and some sellers may not agree to this. Additionally, a well-maintained AC unit can still be in relatively good condition even if it is nearing its life expectancy.

However, it’s best to consult professionals on whether you should stick with an aging unit or push through with a replacement request.

What Are Repairs That Shouldn’t Be Requested At All?

The repairs mentioned above involve serious issues that homebuyers should look out for. That being said, there are some repairs that you should refrain from requesting at all.

These repairs involve cosmetic issues (e.g. cracked tiles, basement floor cracks), failed window seals, and loose fixtures (e.g. doorknobs, lights).

If you notice these small issues during open house and some of them become deal breakers for you, then you can opt to walk away.  Just move on to another home prospect. These are rarely issues that compel sellers to make repairs out of their own pocket.

Home repairs don’t need to be stressful, most especially in plumbing. For emergency plumbing Perth services, reach out to No Probs Plumbing today.