Buying new house, prior tennants took out copper tubing and wiring!?

Question

Well, I went with on the inspection for the closing of our house we are buying and found that the electrical wiring going to the air conditioner unit had been removed, as has the electric cord going to the fixed in place microwave.
The copper tubing coming from the a/c condensation collection pan was also missing as was the copper tubing going from the cold water to the water heater.
Pretty messed up way to get an extra couple bucks if you ask me.
But anyway, anyone have any idea of the cheapest way to fix this up, such as buying the parts first so I only have to pay for labor, etc.
Any advice on the situation?
Any ideas of who is cheap in dallas?
Anything at all?
I have electric/ soldering experince...but not on this kinda stuff.

-oh, and to the people who have nothing to say but, 'I dunno, call a plumber and electrician' ... duh! I am just wondering if anyone has any price-cutting ideas or shortcuts, or has experienced similar.

We haven't closed yet, and we have been talking with our realator and bank about what is going on and everything...just trying to figure out all our options for any possible senerio.

Answer 1

Don't close! This is the seller's responsibility. Tell them- preferably through your lawyer- that you want these items repaired and another walk through after completion. If they offer to reduce the price, get estimates from a plumber and electrician before you agree on a price.

Remember, they want to sell the house even more than you want to buy it.

We found water damage from a broken toilet tank on a walk through. Our lawyer dragged the sellers over the coals. He saved us tons of money, time and grief by threatening to walk out of the closing.

Until you close, you are in the driver's seat, here. Don't close until the house is as it was when you made your offer.

Answer 2

I used to own a home with aluminium wiring in it. In the years 1972 to 1974 the Vietnam War had priority for the copper to be used in bombs, planes, tanks, etc. So for a few years the building industry had to use aluminum wire for the new home construction going on. I never had a single problem with the wiring in my 34 year old house. if your upgrading or puting in a new circuit i suggest going all the way to the service box... either way you can connect the copper to an aluminum wire but only and I stress only by using a cu-al connector. because dissimilar metal react chemically these two wires need a connector between them which will not chemically react... i know its alot but trust the science One thing to remember is that if you ever run a new service line or you do a repair,, make sure that if you use copper wire for the repair or the new install, that you apply the semi liquid compound to all of the connections, between the aluminum wire and the copper wire. You can use standard wire nuts at all connections. You can also buy wire nuts with the compound in them. When connecting aluminum and copper wiring together you must use devices marked CU AL which are designed to keep the 2 wires from touching each other. Best advice is to absolutely not use copper wiring! nti-oxidizing paste to lower the fire hazard. 3M also makes a crimp type tool and connectors that can Hope this helps

Answer 3

The only thing I can say is that you should wait to buy the parts, you might get the wrong parts and then you have to make another trip. If you are going to have a laborer anyway, let him buy the parts, or he might have them on his truck. To me sometime it is worth a little extra money, then trying to fix it yourself. I have found electricians and plumbers when I go to supply stores for such things and ask them for a laborer that does small jobs or who moonlight. Good luck, MJS

Answer 4

Have you already closed on the house? If not you need to make an itemized list of the issues you have and have them corrected at the owners expense before you sign, or perhaps they can set up an escrow account that you can use to pay for repairs if you call a professional.

I would see this as a major red-flag on the previous homeowners, if they stooped to that level who knows what else is wrong that is not immediately visible.

This reminds me of the movie "Moving" with Richard Pryor, if I recall, as he was being shown his 'dream house' by an older couple they kept joking that they would 'take that with them' as they showed his various things in the house in an obviously joking manner - "The roof? Oh we are taking that with us too, hahahaha".

When he finally moves in they had lived up to their word (which they recorded to avoid lawsuit) and took with them the windows, wiring, drawers, pool, doorknobs, fans, etc. Very funny, but never thought the comedy would become a reality for someone.

Good luck and please proceed with caution on this purchase as you should probably be quite skeptical at this point.

Answer 5

Demand that the prior owners fork out the money to pay for the repairs or ask for a lower price on your house because of the additional expenses.

Answer 6

Do not close. Make the owner replace everything that is gone. It is still their house until you sign the papers. Do another walk-through or have a Home Inspection before signing.

Answer 7

Get multiple quotes and check their references. Don't get the parts yourself. Not only may you get the wrong parts, most contractors get professional discounts or wholesell prices.

If I were you, I'll get the sellers to paid for the work before you sign off on the closing inspection. This is totally unacceptable and you should be smacking your realitor around for not suggesting this to you.

Answer 8

Don't close on the house until it gets fixed to your satisfaction.

Answer 9

CALL A PROFESSIOBNAL ELECTYRICIAN OR OPLUMBER AS NEEDED. Home DIY repairs can be more costly and deadly if not done right or to code.

Answer 10

Don't close!!!!!! As soon as you close you own it and all the problems. Bail out now!