Before a home goes on the market, a short round of repairs can stop small faults turning into questions from buyers, their surveyor or their solicitor. Voltify Contractors provides property maintenance in Maze Hill as part of its documented Greenwich and SE10 coverage, from plumbing and electrical repairs to decorating, appliance checks and handyman jobs. Here is how to decide what to fix before viewings, what to leave, and what the sale paperwork is likely to ask about.
What the sale paperwork asks about
Sellers in England are usually asked to complete the Law Society Property Information Form (TA6). Several of its questions touch on the work done to your home:
- whether any part of the electrical installation has been tested by a qualified and registered electrician;
- whether the property has been rewired or had electrical installation work since 1 January 2005, and if so, a copy of the relevant certificate, such as a BS 7671 Electrical Safety Certificate, a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate or a Building Control Completion Certificate;
- guarantees or warranties for things like windows and central heating, and when the heating was last serviced;
- building works such as extensions or removed internal walls.
Gather these documents before you instruct an estate agent. If something is missing, tell your conveyancer early rather than leaving a gap for the buyer’s solicitor to chase. And if you have electrical work done before the sale, ask at the start what paperwork the job will come with, so you know what you can hand over.
Fix, refresh or leave it
| What you notice | Usually worth it? | Route |
|---|---|---|
| Dripping taps, a running toilet, a slow-draining basin | Fix. They are cheap to put right, and viewers and surveyors notice them. | Plumbing repairs |
| Cracked socket fronts, loose switches, dead light fittings | Fix. Visible electrical faults make buyers wonder what they cannot see. | Electrical repairs |
| Scuffed hallways, marked woodwork, bold feature walls | Refresh in a neutral finish, focusing on the rooms that will be photographed. | Painting and decorating |
| Sticking doors, loose handles, holes left by old fixings, failed sealant | Fix. Small, quick and noticed on every viewing. | Handyman and property maintenance |
| Appliances included in the sale | Check they work and are properly connected and level. | Appliance installation |
| A dated but working kitchen or bathroom | Usually leave. A full refit is a bigger decision to discuss with your estate agent. | — |
One caution: redecorating over the mark from an old leak or crack does not change what you know about it. Answer the property form accurately, and fix the cause before you paint.
Getting the order right before photos and viewings
- Messy repairs first. Plumbing, electrical and plaster repairs can disturb walls and floors, so get them out of the way early.
- Decorating second. Paint once the making good is done and filler has dried, so you are not touching up twice.
- Final fixes and clean last. Rehang curtain poles, refit handles and clean before the photographer arrives. Leave time for paint to dry and smells to clear.
Standard working hours are 7am–5pm, Monday to Friday. The documented standard minimum call-out is £80 for the first hour, with the final price depending on the work, so a single list of pre-sale jobs usually makes better use of a visit than several separate bookings. If something fails badly mid-sale, such as a leak you cannot stop, out-of-hours emergency call-outs are available at different pricing.
Booking pre-sale work in Maze Hill
Send your postcode, the list of jobs, photos, and your target date for photos or the first viewing. If a buyer’s survey from an earlier sale flagged repairs, include those points too. Call 020 3411 1855 or email info@voltifycontractors.co.uk.
Maze Hill is covered as part of SE10, along with Greenwich, North Greenwich and Greenwich Peninsula. See areas we cover for the full list, or view all services.
