Novice question about plumbing repair.

[hud_home]

From: David L. Evans Email:hud [e-mail]

I am looking at a listing for a new house in Philadelphia, P.A. which states that some major plumbing repairs are needed. If I purchase the house a can I perform the plumbing work myself or do I have to hire a license contractor. I tried my hand at some plumbing repair before while I was living in Newark, New Jersey=E3=80=82The city license department stated that since I owned the house I could repair/enhance the plumbing so long as all the repairs could pass the city inspection and that I limit my repairs to the boundary of my property. I would like know if the same rules apply in Philadelphia.

[dnoyeB]

if the repair is required by HUD then it needs to be licensed. There are ways to get it done and just inspected though. But the proper answer is yes, it needs to be licensed work.

[Edwin Pawlowski]

I've been away from Philly for 26 years so I don't know the latest regulations. I do know that thousands of Philadelphia homeowners do their own repairs and don't always get a permit. You have to decide the rest yourself.

[Marilyn & Bob]

This is an impossible question to answer. See the house (perhaps with an inspector) and determine what kind of work has to be done. Then you can determine whether it is a DIY job. My guess is that if it says major plumbing work is needed, then that work is way beyond DIY. And probably quite a job for a plumber.

[mm]

That stinks. One of my great joys is repairing the plumbing on my neighbor's lot. Someday I will even tell him about it.

Wish I could help.

[Toller]

Call the building department. Around here individuals, either the homeowners themselves or individual plumbers, don't have to be licensed. Can't say what it is in Philly.

Oddly, no one has to be licensed for gas.

[Malcolm Hoar]

Since the plumbing issues are a matter of public record now, I'd be inclined to ensure the repairs are carried out by a licensed contractor. Otherwise, you may have significant difficulties finding a lender and/or insurer and/or at resale.

You could also make an offer contingent on the seller having these repairs made (by a licensed contractor) and at the sellers expense. It sounds like the seller doesn't want to do that but you can still make such an offer. You and your realtor will need to decide if the chances of acceptance are good enough to justify the hassle.

[HeyBub]

The reason you're interested in the house is its price, right?

The price (probably) takes into account the required plumbing work. So, look at similar houses that DON'T need plumbing work - would you buy one of them?

Next, find out what "plumbing repair" is required. From this list, determine what you can do and what is left for professionals.

[Roger Shoaf]

I am looking at a listing for a new house in Philadelphia, P.A. which states that some major plumbing repairs are needed. If I purchase the house a can I perform the plumbing work myself or do I have to hire a license contractor.

"Major plumbing repairs" is a rather ambigious statment. What exactly are the major repairs needed? Also who is mandateing the repairs and for what reason? Is HUD the one requireing the repairs in order to approve you to borrow the money to buy the house? Or is the city involved?

Let's speculate that the major repair is a new water heater. If it was OK with HUD you could buy the house and agree to sign off on any issue after the sale withholding enough funds in escrow to insure compliance.

Now let's assume that the drain pipe has failed between the house and the sewer, and they require a plumber to do the work. A really big part of the job is digging the trench required to fix the pipe, and to my way of thinking it does not require a permit to dig a hole, so you can save yourself mega bucks by digging the hole your self and just have the plumber do the pipe connections.

One thing I forsee as a problem is city permits if you are not yet the owner. Often an owner can obtain a permit to do his own work, but if the work needs to be completed prior to the sale then you as the buyer can't get the permit.

[Just Joshin]

Contact the local code enforcement office. Much of Pa assumes as the resident/owner of the property you will not try and rip yourself off. However as stated, since you are not an expert, you might require an inspection afterwards.

Just saying.....

tom @