Negotiating due to rising damp?

[KrisK]

Hi guys, we have completed a building inspection and pest and am told the place has rising damp which is common for this type of place. Initial costing to resolve appears to be $10 to $15k plus $5k for ful pest treatment as there are some mudtrails...

Any ideas how best to approach the REA in terms of negoitaing price and what not?

thanks
kris

 

[RumpledElf]

Agent will probably tell you you're overquoting and won't let you haggle down much. I don't know much about salt damp treatment, other than there are a few different ways to get it done.

Pest treatments vary severely btw, I had a bunch of quotes done a few months ago and they varied from $5000 (drilling a hole every 20cm around the edge of every room in my house) down to $1000 (external barrier around outside only). Assume this is an older solid brick/stone house? If there's trails, I'd be poking all the skirtings and architraves with something sharp. If they give way, you're looking at a LOT of money to replace them, even if a small patch is damaged, because you can never get the damn things to match up to an old profile unless you go to a very expensive reproduction place.

 

[KrisK]

Agent will probably tell you you're overquoting and won't let you haggle down much. I don't know much about salt damp treatment, other than there are a few different ways to get it done.

Pest treatments vary severely btw, I had a bunch of quotes done a few months ago and they varied from $5000 (drilling a hole every 20cm around the edge of every room in my house) down to $1000 (external barrier around outside only). Assume this is an older solid brick/stone house? If there's trails, I'd be poking all the skirtings and architraves with something sharp. If they give way, you're looking at a LOT of money to replace them, even if a small patch is damaged, because you can never get the damn things to match up to an old profile unless you go to a very expensive reproduction place.

Thanks, ill wait to get the full written inspection but yes, i guess its normal for a place of this age. Its double brick attached semi. I'm not really worried about the terminte thing as the inspection guy said theres only signs of old mudtrails, not a sign of termites but he HIGHLY recommended we just get a treatment done.

What kind of percentage do you feel is about right for a rising damp treatment? again they vary alot like you said.

Im talking with the agent soon as he called to ask if i was interested, ill say we are considering making an offer but at a reduced price given there are issues with the property such as gutters, pest treatment and rising damp.

 

[RumpledElf]

I just renovate my own houses, I'm no expert

This is for your PPoR or IP? You really sure you want a place that has a lot of issues? If so, I hope it is *very* cheap. Renovations invariably blow out.

 

[KrisK]

I just renovate my own houses, I'm no expert

This is for your PPoR or IP? You really sure you want a place that has a lot of issues? If so, I hope it is *very* cheap. Renovations invariably blow out.

PPoR, there are issues but I dont feel they are major major. Considering its ages, it looks overall fairly healthy.