This week I have had multiple handymen/construction firms quoting on the Durban house as the process needs to start getting the house ready to sell. I have not personally seen the property in some time and do not have an idea what needs touching up or replacing. The plan was I was going to attend a funeral in Durban this week so I could also what the house required, but work commitments ended that idea.
A little shocked my tenant has not trimmed the trees or bushes and no surprise we have tree damage during storms. From the looks of it no gardening has been taking place or very little. Curb appeal is very important so this house will be unrecognizable in a few weeks time.
The thinking is if I have 3 or 4 quotes I can check the list of jobs required and then have a clear idea knowing what the main concerns are. I knew the obvious being the boundary wall that needed painting, but was oblivious to the rest of items on the lists.
When you want to get top dollar for your property you have to not over look the finer things buyers will notice. This is not ideal being so far away as I would oversee and do the smaller jobs myself. Just the boundary wall alone is 140 meters of painting and will take 3 coats. This is a team job and not a one person job because it will take too long to complete.
Three of the quotes included painting the exterior of the house so at least I know this is a job that needs doing. The main gate needs sanding and repainting along with the internal railings which is steelwork lining the driveway.. Two of the gutters need doing and one down pipe which was noted by all the service provider quotes. Pressure washing car port and driveway plus garden clean up which includes tree felling.
This is a slightly longer list than I had expected and I am happy to get these tasks completed as soon as possible. The next step is to check the final quotes which I have given them until Tuesday to send them through. The cost is important yet if these need doing they have to be done especially if you want to achieve the best price possible. There is no cutting corners or employing a friend of a friend because going cheap rarely saves you money and why I need to hire the professionals this time. Speed is of the essence as I would like to have the property listed by the end of this month which would give the contractors 2 weeks to complete this which is realistic.
The good news is the Durban property is paid off and will be in demand for what the versatility this property offers. The main house being 4 bedrooms plus office and scullery, granny flat which is like a two bedroom apartment with kitchen and a large lounge, teenage pad and then the servants quarters. Many families are looking for granny flats for their parents as this is just the way life is in South Africa. Retirement homes are not the ideal with most families taking that responsibility on themselves caring of their ageing parents or extended family.
