How to save money on repairs when you sell

We recently sold a house in Livermore on Arlene Way and as is normal the buyers had a structural pest control inspection which resulted in a $4000 bill for dry rot to the exterior wood siding.After the seller calmed down he asked me what we could do about this. We looked at our options for cutting the cost. Did you know that you do not have to use the same company to do the work, well you don’t but we were in escrow and only had 2 weeks before closing so here is what we did.

I had the termite inspector come back out to the house at no charge and show the seller and myself exactly what was needed. The seller being a handy guy and working nearby at LLnL
decided he could do the removal of the dry rot himself and so he did, it took him a day and a half.
We then had the termite co come back out and reinspect, give us a clearance then they replaced the damaged boards and painted. Result was a final bill for $2200 a $1800 savings for the seller for a day and a half of labor!

If you as the seller get the pest inspection up front BEFORE you place your property for sale
then

a/ you get to choose the inspector
b/ you get to bid out the work usually at a substantial savings!

Related posts:

1. What to do with Furniture when you sell…
2. It doesn’t matter!
3. Fed Lowers Rate
4. What is a Short Sale and how would it Affect me?
5. First Time Buyers get a credit.