Design of purchase contract with promised modifications by the seller

Hello,

we have a specific property to buy, with which we have already reached an agreement with the seller. Now there is a special feature:

Currently, the house is fully heated by a water-bearing fireplace (underfloor heating). However, all connections are also prepared in the utility room, according to the seller, for the connection of a gas heating system or a heat pump. The installation of the new heating system will still be carried out by the seller! Now my question is how to properly regulate this contractually so that it will not lead to problems afterward, in other words, what should I insist on: Of course, a proper design of the heating system must be carried out, and I would further assume that the specific conversion (and not just the seller's mere obligation to do it) including all necessary details should be agreed upon in the purchase contract, right? What would be the best and especially the safest approach for me?

Thanks and regards

Hello,

The installation of the new heating system will still be done by the seller!

Why?

Now my question would be how to arrange this properly in the contract so that it doesn’t cause problems afterwards, meaning what should I insist on: Of course, a proper sizing of the heating system must take place, furthermore, I would think that the actual conversion (and not just the pure obligation of the seller to do it) including all necessary details should be agreed upon in the purchase contract, right? What would be the best and above all safest procedure for me?

No one can answer that here; therefore, I refer back to my recommendation of an expert!

Go through the property with him, possibly take a master plumber with you, and clarify together what is necessary and sensible. That can then be included in the notary contract. Although the whole thing doesn’t really make sense to me ... what if it leads to a warranty case? Then the seller is the first point of contact...

Why don’t you buy the single-family house with an appropriate discount and arrange the installation of the new heating system in your name?

Rhineland regards

Hello construction expert!

I can't say the reason with 100% certainty, but he comes from the construction industry (BauIng) and works in sales at a house-building company. I strongly assume he can do it cheaper than the discount he would have to give me, so it comes out the same in the end. But those are questions I will clarify next.

I agree with you that managing it yourself is certainly the better option. The question is always whether the seller agrees to it. That is the problem nowadays, if we don’t buy, someone else does it for the same price and conditions. One should never let oneself be pressured, but well, then you might have to wait quite a while with bad luck ;)

Your point about the expert will definitely be taken into account! Everything else is a no-go for me. Especially with the heating system, many mistakes can be made, so it is important to me that everything goes smoothly.

Regards

Why don't you buy the single-family house with an appropriate discount and arrange the installation of the new heating system in your name?

In my opinion, the only right thing to do.

I know the problem well. In our case, the seller also wanted to finish some work (mainly balcony railings and flooring). He did not want to agree to a discount because he could do it cheaper with the help of relative craftsmen. We played along, and despite some disputes about the execution, we are ultimately very glad to have bought the house. Specify exactly in the contract what is to be done. Having an expert is certainly a good idea if the costs of the work are high. Two years ago, we also said that the house was not without alternative and would have walked away if there had been too many concerns. However, no real alternatives have come onto the market during this time. How large is the value of the work compared to the total price? For us, it was about 0.8%. The risk was manageable.

Include the deadline for the work in the contract; if the deadline is not met, the purchase price (KP) is to be reduced by T€ x or the outstanding part of the purchase price does not have to be paid:

Example
KP T€ 300, divided into purchase of house T€ 290 + payment of the remaining amount after completion of the work T€ 10. If the work is not completed by the seller within 6 weeks after (contract signing, KP payment for the house, ...), the remaining amount is no longer due and the remaining work can be carried out by the buyer.