Pest inspection - Can I negotiate?

[Bantam Roosta]

I had a pest inspection done today and it came back all good, showing no signs of termites.

However, the chemical protection system is out of date by about 8 years and I have been quoted $2600 for a new treatment (termidor, 8 year life expectancy).

Can I use this to negotiate the price down? Is it tough luck? I don't mind, but if I can avoid the cost it would be good. It certainly doesn't sound like a contract terminating issue, so if they pushed back I don't think I could threaten to cancel.

Also, are these chemical treatments worthwhile? The house is brick veneer on a slab in far north QLD.

BR

 

[Propertunity]

Can I use this to negotiate the price down? Is it tough luck? I don't mind, but if I can avoid the cost it would be good.

You can try but I don't like your chances. Most properties I would venture to say, have no evidence of pest treatments being done, and that does not affect the price paid. You're just fortunate, the vendors are selling you a house that is termite free at this point.

Also, are these chemical treatments worthwhile? The house is brick veneer on a slab in far north QLD. BR

They are a complete waste of time unless your property suffers an attack. Just like insurance policies - a complete waste of money until and unless you need to make a claim.

If you don't want to do tretaments, then at least pay for annual (or 6 monthly) checkups.

 

[Perp]

Can I use this to negotiate the price down? Is it tough luck? I don't mind, but if I can avoid the cost it would be good. It certainly doesn't sound like a contract terminating issue, so if they pushed back I don't think I could threaten to cancel.

There's your answer.

I know people will say "you can ask and the worst that can happen is they say no".

I would add "and you erode any goodwill", and you might need that goodwill, if, say, your solicitor and/or lender screw up and you can't settle on time, or if you want to go in and do measurements pre-settlement, or ...

There are a bunch of things vendors and purchasers can do to each other to make a transfer go smoothly or roughly. I prefer only to risk ******* the other party off over things that have at least some prospect of improving my position.

 

[Bantam Roosta]

Thanks for the info. No big surprises in your responses, but I thought I would ask anyway.

BR

 

[see_change]

The down side of asking is that it lets the vendors know they're dealing with an amateur , so if there at problems further down the line , they might be less inclined to be " reasonable " .

Cliff