Can a contractor do work on a property before settlement?

Posted on Tuesday, January 29th, 2008 at 5:54 pm.

We were representing the sellers in a transaction, and the buyer's agent wrote:

Can you let me know if the contractor can repair the defects before the settlement date?

He wanted his contractor to do work on our client's property before the settlement date. This is almost always a very bad idea. Here's what we wrote back:

"I would have to ask the sellers if they would allow this. However, I'd highly advise against it to protect both your buyers and my sellers because there are so many variables that could cause problems. What if the contractor causes damage? What if the contractor does poor work and the buyers can't close - where would that leave my sellers? Etc. It would be much wiser for the contractor to begin once your buyers take title.Regards"

Direct Link to this FAQ: DROdio.com/faq/?p=299

Call Anytime: 1-800-705-2782

Contact Us

We'll respond in 15 minutes or less.

Search our knowledge base

Find Property Near You

A message from Daniel:

Buying A Home

All About Home Financing & Loans (51 Q&A blogs)
Wondering how the lending process works? Wondering if you should pay any 'points'? Jump in for the answers.
All the questions you were afraid to ask (108 Q&A blogs)
If you're a first-time home buyer, indulge yourself with answers to all the questions you were afraid to ask!
Client Testimonials (18 Q&A blogs)
Read some glowing Testimonials from clients who have used our services to buy a home!
Contract Questions (21 Q&A blogs)
Contracts can be scary things! But after you read through this section, you should be much more comfortable with the process, and we're always just a phone call away!
Learn About the Area (31 Q&A blogs)
Curious to know about certain areas? Find your answers here. This is especially useful if you are buying from out of town.
Negotiation Techniques (13 Q&A blogs)
One of the things that makes DROdio agents so special is our strong emphasis on negotiation. Many Realtors (especially the "weekend warriors") aren't too good at negotiating you a stellar deal. We'll reveal some of our secrets here. If you're a Realtor from competing company and you're reading this section, you should be ashamed of yourself! Then again, maybe you really need the help, so read on...
REO Foreclosure Listing Q&A (4 Q&A blogs)
Our firm sells REO foreclosure properties from multiple banks. This section is dedicated to common questions & answers from both buyers and REALTORS representing buyers in these transactions.
Tax Questions (14 Q&A blogs)
Aaaaahhhhh, taxes. Our favorite. Here are tips & tricks to minimize your tax burden. Note: we are not CPA's, so these are just general observations from our experience. But *please* speak to your CPA to discuss your specific tax situation.
The Buying Process (66 Q&A blogs)
How exactly does the buying process work? What should you expect? Whether you're a first time home buyer or you've done it several times, you'll find plenty of gems of information squirreled away in this section.

Selling A Home

All the questions you were afraid to ask (23 Q&A blogs)
If this is the first time you've considered selling your home, you probably have lots of questions that you're afraid to ask. Fear not, your answers are here!
Client Testimonials (1 Q&A blogs)
Read some glowing Testimonials from clients who have used our services to sell a home!
Contract Questions (3 Q&A blogs)
This time we'll address contract questions from the seller's point of view. What makes a contract strong vs. weak? How do contingencies work, and which ones are dangerous? These questions and many more are answered in here, so come take a look!
The Selling Process (18 Q&A blogs)
When should you list your home? How do you price it right? How do you get maximum exposure? Find answers to life's questions here... well, at least when it comes to selling your home!