//sorry if this is the same thread posted elsewhere as I urgently seeking pieces of advice from lyn

Hi lyn, really need you guys advice
depressing

just booked a 20 years old condo
after first and second viewing very satisfied as first glance, the unit is in move-in condition although identified some part of the unit that needs to tackle, <5k can settle, everything else is good as the unit is well maintained
so decided to place a deposit of 4k

But after sharing that news with my friend, he poured cold water on me saying that at 20 years old, saying that usually need to consider about redo the wiring and piping. many wear and tear. ask me to reconsider and treat that deposit lost as a lesson


I remember when viewing the unit, the owner has no issue running 3 aircon simultaneously, just that many switches have worn out badly, leaky taps and some bad reno taste.
Replacing those things should not dent my wallet but I know re-do those wiring would cause a lot as that considered as major and that easily add up a few 10k
might as well go for empty developer unit and furnish it slowly with a peace of mind
I am safety first kind of guy, I do not want both my family and I ended up to become some ashes due to those old wiring

Basically, no money left to reno after paying those subsale upfront payments. that is why me and my wife are looking for move in condition


any advice? forfeit the deposit and treat it as a lesson? or i am worrying too much? really lost now

Rewiring wont cost few 10k for condo.

Assumption ...

Since is for the whole condo, 1 point is RM 50, 100 points is 5k.

After reno, everything is 'new'. You have peace of mind staying.

I would be more concern if there is inter floor leaking from above unit. If there are signs, I might want to abort the deal.

20 year old condo if maintained well, shouldn't be a problem. What's the fuss of not able to run 3 aircond simultaneously?

New or old - there can be issues as well..when you buy off the plan it can come with a different set of problems..

Rewiring will not cost that much and definitely not as you envisaged.. - in any case it may not even be necessary ..

So if rewiring is your main worry - i think you should not stop with proceeding with the purchase if you are fine with the rest..just wasting
your hard earned $$..

Electrical - you don't know the condition of the wiring until you really look at it and I presume you had not, you just looking at switches and powerpoint that seem old due to age. If the internal wire are of good quality then no need to redo wiring, just change the switch and powerpoint to new one.. then its completely new. Older wiring of good quality can last for years and can even be better than current wires... EG now the wires only come with single layer insulation, those older wire may come with dual layer installation and outlast any single insulation wire available currently.
Plumbing - this may be an issue.. as think if 20 years old that time it could be metal pipe that could form rust issue, not like current where all "plastic". This is also dependant on how the owner maintain it. If manage to kept internal rust at bay, the pipe work could be even more "solid" than current "plastic" pipe. Just you need to change all the tap and such to make it more modern looking if you fancy it. If the owner have external filter that kept the metal pipe clean then it can be said its better than the current.

Don't look down on an old Condo.. it may look age out but as they say Old is Gold... workmanship and material quality from those days could be as good or even better than current age where so-called cost saving had crept in.

If still unsure, can hire a professional to go in and do a proper evaluation with the current owner consent...

Lastly, don't simply listen to friend blindly, even when they have good intention.

tell u what, hire a wireman for 1 day to check all the wiring

u listen to your friend, is he a ceritifed wireman or chargeman? even if he is, did he even go the unit and check it physically himself all the wirings?

no one can be sure unless it is checked properly by a certified wireman.

agree with what he said.
Listen to a wireman, not your friend.
But through my experience (electrical engineer), 20 years ago cable qualities are much much better than nowadays electrical cable.
Fyi only

new unit may not be good

nowadays may not be indo to do the work, could be nepal or bangla...

workmanship is suck and alots defect for many new projects ...

Hi guys
I have made up my mind to proceed and started to go for bank loan

Really thanks for the reassurance and advice.