What I Tell Every Sioux Falls Buyer About Plumbing and HVAC Before They Close

What I Tell Every Sioux Falls Buyer About Plumbing and HVAC Before They Close

Most buyers focus on the things they can see. The kitchen layout. The backyard. The neighborhood. The commute.

What they rarely think about until something goes wrong is what is behind the walls and under the floors. The plumbing system. The HVAC equipment. The water heater. The sewer line.

These systems are invisible until they are not. And when they fail, they fail at the worst possible time.

I talk about plumbing and HVAC with every buyer I work with, before they make an offer, not after. Here is what I tell them.

Know the Age of Every Major Mechanical System Before You Buy

The inspection report will give you the age of the furnace, the AC unit, and the water heater. Pay attention to these numbers. A 22-year-old furnace may be working fine today. It is also near the end of its typical service life, and a replacement in the next few years is likely. A 15-year-old water heater is the same story.

This information does not necessarily mean you should walk away from a home. It means you should price the risk correctly and plan for it.

When I work with buyers on homes with aging mechanical systems, I help them think through three things. Can they afford the home and an unexpected replacement in year one or two? Does the seller have any flexibility on price or credits that accounts for the system age? Is the rest of the home worth the mechanical risk?

These are honest conversations, and they lead to better buying decisions.

Schedule a Pre-Purchase Plumbing and HVAC Inspection

A standard home inspection covers the basics. An inspector turns on the furnace and notes whether it appears to be working. They run water and check for visible leaks. But a generalist home inspection is not the same as having a licensed plumber and HVAC technician look at your systems.

If you are buying a home in Sioux Falls that is more than 15 years old, or a home where the mechanical systems are aging, I strongly recommend a separate plumbing and HVAC inspection from a licensed contractor.

Roger’s Plumbing and Heating is the contractor I refer my buyers to for this service. Their technicians can tell you the actual condition of a furnace, not just whether it is working today. They can run a camera through a sewer line to check for root intrusion or damage before it becomes a sewage backup in the basement of a home you just bought.

That information is worth the cost of the inspection. Every time.

What to Do in the First 90 Days After Closing

Once you have the keys, the maintenance clock starts. Here is what I recommend to every buyer in their first 90 days.

Find your shutoffs. Know where your water main shutoff is, where your gas shutoff is, and where your electrical panel is. In an emergency, this knowledge is critical.

Change the HVAC filter. The previous owners may have left a dirty filter in place. A fresh filter protects your system from day one.

Schedule a furnace or AC tune-up. If you are closing in fall, schedule a furnace service before you rely on the system for winter. If you are closing in spring, schedule an AC service before summer. This gives you a professional assessment of the system’s condition and addresses any maintenance issues before peak season.

Have Roger’s look at the water heater. If the water heater is over 10 years old or if you do not have documentation on its service history, have a plumber assess it. Water heaters fail suddenly and the damage to ceilings and floors below can be significant.

Know who to call for an emergency. Before anything goes wrong, save the Roger’s Plumbing and Heating phone number in your contacts. When a pipe bursts at 11pm, you do not want to be searching for a plumber. You want to call the number you already have.

Why Roger’s Is the Company I Refer

I have been connecting Sioux Falls buyers with Roger’s Plumbing and Heating for years. Here is what keeps that recommendation consistent.

They have been in this community since 1983. Over 40 years of work in Sioux Falls means Roger’s understands the housing stock in our area, the common failure patterns in homes of different ages, and the specific challenges of South Dakota’s climate.

They hold the Carrier Presidential Award. Fewer than one percent of contractors nationwide earn this award. It is a third-party certification of technical excellence and customer satisfaction.

They answer the phone 24/7. For my buyers who close on a home and then face a plumbing emergency in week two, this matters enormously.

Their reviews reflect the actual experience. 344 reviews at 4.8 stars with consistent detail about on-time arrivals, clear communication, and quality work.

Connecting With Roger’s

If you are a buyer working with Amy Stockberger Real Estate, we make the introduction to Roger’s as part of your onboarding. You do not have to find them on your own.

Roger’s Plumbing and Heating:
Phone: (605) 906-9402
Website: rogersplumbingandheating.com

For help buying a home in Sioux Falls, visit AmyStockberger.com or search current listings at FindAHomeInSiouxFalls.com. We serve Sioux Falls families before, during, and long after closing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should Sioux Falls buyers know about HVAC and plumbing before closing?

Know the age of every major mechanical system. Ask for maintenance records. Consider a separate plumbing and HVAC inspection on older homes. And save the number of a trusted local contractor before you close so you are never scrambling in an emergency.

Does Amy Stockberger Real Estate recommend getting a separate plumbing and HVAC inspection?

Yes. For homes more than 15 years old or homes with aging mechanical systems, a separate inspection from a licensed plumber and HVAC technician provides information that a standard home inspection does not. Roger’s Plumbing and Heating is the contractor Amy Stockberger Real Estate refers buyers to for this service.

How does the Lifetime Home Support program help buyers with plumbing and HVAC needs?

The Lifetime Home Support program connects Amy Stockberger Real Estate clients to vetted local businesses for every homeowner need before, during, and long after closing. Roger’s Plumbing and Heating is a trusted Home Support Team partner. Buyers receive a direct introduction and priority scheduling as part of the program.