Before you buy a property with a well, it’s important to assess the well’s condition. This will help avoid unexpected costs and surprises down the line. Here are four essential elements to consider before signing on the dotted line.
Assess Flow Rate and Water Supply
Every household has different needs when it comes to water. These needs vary depending on:
- How many people live in the home
- The number and types of appliances
- Personal preferences regarding water supply and pressure
Just because the water supply was sufficient for the previous owners doesn’t mean it will work for your household. That’s why you should find out all the details you can about the water supply and flow rate when you’re first looking at a property.
If the available water won’t meet your needs, you may need to consider drilling a new well. This changes both the cost and the logistics of buying a property, so it’s critical to find out this information as soon as possible.
Arrange Independent Water Testing
Assessing water quality is also a necessary step before any property changes hands. It’s best to work with a professional well inspector or contractor to get a full picture of the water quality. They’ll have the equipment and expertise to get detailed results and accurately interpret them.
Pre-purchase testing will let you know if the water quality is appropriate and if there are any contaminants present. If there’s a problem, a new well or filtration system may be necessary.
Book a Professional Well Inspection
Getting a home inspection is part of the process when buying a new property. If there’s a well, it’s also important to have that inspected too. To avoid conflicts of interest, a well inspector should be someone who is working for you, the potential buyer, and not the seller.
A well inspector should assess the status and safety of the well and point out any red flags that may signal pending repairs or maintenance. Armed with this information, you can make informed decisions throughout the buying process.
Negotiate on Your Own Behalf
If you or your well inspector find an issue with a well, that’s not an automatic disqualification. It could still be the right property for you, but there may be extra expenses and work that you need to account for.
This is where negotiation comes in. If you discover that work needs to be done for the well to function optimally, you can factor that in and work with the seller to determine who will pay for what.
If you need help with a well assessment or well drilling in Albany, Copake, Valatie, or the region, call the team at Goold Wells & Pumps today. We have over 90 years of experience as well contractors and an unwavering commitment to providing our clients with exceptional workmanship and customer care. We are a family-owned company and we offer both weekday appointments and weekend service calls for your convenience. Goold Wells & Pumps—Trusted Name Since 1928.