Author Topic: Need a quick answer - cost of plumbing scope?  (Read 4586 times)

horsepoor

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Need a quick answer - cost of plumbing scope?
« on: September 14, 2014, 08:44:41 AM »
So we got an offer on our house that expires tonight, so being Sunday, I can't call around to check cost.  Buyer is asking for a scope from a plumbing service to check for root intrusion on the main sewer line.  I have no idea what the cost of this would be.  Any estimates?  Is this a normal request?  When we purchased our current house, we paid as buyers for the septic pumping and any scoping.

Spork

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Re: Need a quick answer - cost of plumbing scope?
« Reply #1 on: September 14, 2014, 08:47:22 AM »
I'm terrible with remembering numbers... so take with a grain of salt.

We had a scope done probably 10 years ago and I think it was around $300 then.

zataks

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Re: Need a quick answer - cost of plumbing scope?
« Reply #2 on: September 14, 2014, 09:07:16 AM »
Spork said $300.  This probably isn't far off.

I would guess probably 1-2 hours labor plus maybe mobilization costs or maybe they have a flat rate fee.  My guess would be $150-$400 depending on the length of service that needs inspection and the COL where the home is.

arebelspy

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Re: Need a quick answer - cost of plumbing scope?
« Reply #3 on: September 14, 2014, 09:35:35 AM »
So we got an offer on our house that expires tonight, so being Sunday, I can't call around to check cost.  Buyer is asking for a scope from a plumbing service to check for root intrusion on the main sewer line.  I have no idea what the cost of this would be.  Any estimates?  Is this a normal request?  When we purchased our current house, we paid as buyers for the septic pumping and any scoping.

Is this your only offer?  Are you desperate to sell now?

If not, why not write up a counter that says they pay for their own due diligence?  If you get some pushback you can decide later if you want to pay that cost.  It buys you some time.

At the very least I wouldn't pay it now; what if they end up not buying it, and you're out the cash for it?

The standard is to write out that buyer pays it, and you'll reimburse at closing.

I'd start with the "you pay it" then compromise to the "okay, i'll pay it, but you up front and I reimburse at closing". (Cost to exceed no more than $XYZ)
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horsepoor

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Re: Need a quick answer - cost of plumbing scope?
« Reply #4 on: September 14, 2014, 09:39:43 AM »
OK, thanks!  I forgot to mention that they requested video with it.  I'm kind of inclined to say that this is on them as part of the inspection, but I also get the sense that this is a cash-poor buyer since they are asking for closing costs and have a tiny down payment.  Will see what our agent says. 

House has been on the market for 5 months, but an offer came in pretty quickly after the last price reduction. Last offer fell through because buyer didn't want to negotiate on any repairs.  Repairs are done and this offer came in first day back on the market, so it makes me wonder if other offers will come in early this week.  I wouldn't say we're desperate, but maybe anxious to be out from under it because it was a rental and has been vacant while on the market, so carrying costs are becoming a drag.

Spork

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Re: Need a quick answer - cost of plumbing scope?
« Reply #5 on: September 14, 2014, 10:13:57 AM »
Maybe this is my ignorance (since it has been 10 years) ... but ... I certainly didn't get a copy of the video when I had it done... and the plumber wasn't set up for making copies.  He was happy to let you look over his shoulder.   I can imagine the costs of digital video have dropped enough that this may be the new standard practice.  But I also know a lot of plumbers are old farts that have the "my equipment works fine, why would I buy another new fangled device" attitude.

jawisco

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Re: Need a quick answer - cost of plumbing scope?
« Reply #6 on: September 14, 2014, 11:43:24 AM »
I would not pay for it upfront and I would not be eager to have it done - if you have the video done, and they decide not to buy, and there is ANY type of issue or defect, you will have to disclose it.  And defects to sewer lines can be in the eye of the beholder - especially a plumber looking to make some money.  I would be careful...

Sdsailing

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Re: Need a quick answer - cost of plumbing scope?
« Reply #7 on: September 14, 2014, 11:47:55 AM »

I would not do this. Inspection is on the buyer. They may not even be serious buyers in which case you are out the money even if the results are perfect.

horsepoor

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Re: Need a quick answer - cost of plumbing scope?
« Reply #8 on: September 16, 2014, 08:26:37 AM »
Thanks all.  We'll see what happens - we did agree to do it pending their inspection being satisfactory, and they accepted our full asking price counter.  Hopefully nothing bad will be uncovered! 

horsepoor

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Re: Need a quick answer - cost of plumbing scope?
« Reply #9 on: October 01, 2014, 07:01:44 AM »
Thought I'd post an update.

Our realtor found a plumber that would do it for $119 without the video, and got the buyers to agree to be there for the inspection in lieu of video.  Worked out perfectly because the two repair issues from the inspection were plumbing related and needed to be professionally repaired, so they were able to do it all at once.  Sewer line inspection came out with a perfect report and we are crawling ever so slowly towards closing this month.  Something about escrow always feels interminable.  Waiting on appraisal now. *tap tap tap*