We are buying our first home and are not sure what, if anything ,we should just deal with. There are some little things that we are not sure if we shoudl hassle about such as two small dents at the very bottom of the garage door or nicks in the door jams or chips in tile. Is it reasonable for us to request them to fix every little imperfection?
2006-06-23 18:19:01 · 12 answers · asked by . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
This is a brand new house staright from the builder. We will be the first people ever to live in this house.
2006-06-23 18:34:42 · update #1
Hey, it's YOUR money.
If it's a new build and you notice something, have them fix it NOW...BEFORE closing! No "promisory notes" or any BS like that. They will bust their butts to get things right if you THREATEN to change the closing date. The longer they have to wait, the more $$ they lose out on.
I can promise you this: they will blame YOU for the dents in the garage door and the nicks and the chips later on. Those are NOT covered as "faults" in the workmanship. It will be YOUR expense later.
Once you close, it can take them months to fix something. After all, at that point, they already have the money!
You can never be too picky!!!
2006-06-23 18:28:16 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the severity of the problems. The only one that you listed that seems worth the attention is the chips in the tile. To repair this, the tile may need to be matched and replaced, not something you want to have to do on your own.
It also varies with the price range of the structure, palace or frame house? There are many things that are just part of the mass building process, for an average or starter home. I would suggest finding a good book on the subject or an experienced builder or new home Realtor, who has absolutely no financial interest in your home or the builder. Either of these could help provide the details and advice that can help guide you to avoid unnecessary wear and tear, and to know when you really should request or demand repair.
2006-06-24 01:29:37 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
YES YES YES be picky. If you were to have these things repaired on your own you would be quite surprised to find out you had to replace the whole garage door to fix two "little dents". Stand up for yourself!! Would you purchase a new car off the show room floor at sticker price if it had hail damage?NOOOO I don't think so.You can request it be fixed or make a list and request these things be fixed or you be compensated for them. Even if they're not too bad you should not be expected to role over and play dead. Chips in the tile is not a small thing. If it bothers you get someone from your lending institute to do a final inspection with you. Or an insurance agent. They will be happy to take the heat off you, and they can help you decide what is and is not worth the hassle. NOT your Realtor. They don't get paid until it closes and it wont close until your satisfied and they can make you think you are! (I used to be one)
2006-06-24 01:42:48 · answer #3 · answered by dw 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Would you buy a new car with 2 dents in it? Or nicks in the dashboard? Or chips in the windows? You house is about 10 times what you would spend on a car so be 10 times more picky. You can offer to make the repairs and have the repair fees removed from the sellers price. Remember, if you arent buying a fixer upper, then don't "fixer upper" at least with out compensation.
2006-06-24 10:14:59 · answer #4 · answered by NubbY 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get it fixed BEFORE signing or it won't be fixed. They want to please you now so you will buy. After you have bought the honeymoon is over. I'm not kidding. I work in engineering and people complain all the time that they can't get their builder to repair stuff he promised he would fix. Nothing I can do once a house is purchased. It will be between you and your builder.
On behalf of the few builders that will fix things...thank you.
2006-06-24 11:24:20 · answer #5 · answered by Mache 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We worked in construction;(doing the final cleanup) You should be very picky; Once you close it*s your baby; If you don*t mind fixing a few easy things yourself, do it. But fairly big or hard to do things should be the builders responsibiliy.
We bought a new house once and were promised a new countertop would be replaced once we closed, Right! It took l8 months, with one excuse after another.. After all it*s the squeaky wheel that gets the oil!!!Remember, they*re anxious to get your money, once they have it======
2006-06-24 09:55:41 · answer #6 · answered by llittle mama 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NOT reasonable..... You are buying a used house. Not one that was built for you , right? Every house has flaws and you will make different flaws when you sell this house. The biggest thing is was every thing moved out ? was every thing you argeed to done? The house was clean? (you'll clean again before you move in or paint) Even if you b-i-t-c-h about it all you will get is a couple of bucks , they will not do it for you. Then its KARMA when you sell.... Its a home not a piece of art...
2006-06-24 01:26:01 · answer #7 · answered by theevilfez 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should be very picky. This is about to be your home and you are paying good money to buy it. I would talk to them about it and see if you could get an allowance to fix those things.
2006-06-24 01:23:51 · answer #8 · answered by Amy S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's all going to depend on how you approach the builder. If the relationship is already strained--good luck. But, if it's a good relationship, it should go well.
Be professional!
2006-06-24 08:03:26 · answer #9 · answered by knowitall 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
decide what you absolutely must have. then look at other imperfections you could live with. at the walk thru, trade off the ones you could live with and let them fix what you absolutely must have. if you get both that's a bonus.
2006-06-24 05:51:25 · answer #10 · answered by wingame 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋