Buying a house on Bonaire: technical checklist for the viewing

A house on Bonaire often looks fine at a viewing. The expensive surprises are usually where you don't look right away: in the pipes, the breaker panel, the ACs, the roof and the woodwork. With this checklist you know what to look for, and when it's better to have a tradesperson come along.

I'm Andres, a plumber, electrician and handyman on Bonaire. Many problems buyers run into after the purchase were already visible at the viewing. In this post you'll read how to avoid that.

Why be extra careful on Bonaire?

Houses on Bonaire deal with salt, sun, dust and heat. Pipes, cables and metal parts rust faster than in a cooler climate. Many houses have been extended over the years, and not everything was done neatly. And a house that has been empty for a long time can have problems that only show once you live there.

The technical checklist

1. Water and pipes

• Open all taps and showers. Is the water pressure good and does hot water come quickly?
• Flush every toilet and listen whether it stops running afterwards.
• Look under sinks and around the water heater for damp spots or rust.
• Ask how old the pipes are. In older houses pipes are sometimes rusted or clogged.
• Ask if you can do the meter test: everything off and check whether the meter stands still. Here's how: High water bill from WEB? How to find a leak

2. Drains and septic tank

• Ask whether the house is connected to the sewer or has a septic tank.
• Does it have a septic tank? Ask when it was last emptied.
• Watch for a sewage smell in the house or garden, and for drains that empty slowly.

3. Electrics and breaker panel

• Look in the breaker panel. Is there an RCD? Do you see rust, burn marks or loose wires?
• Watch for lots of extension cords and power strips. That often points to too few circuits or sockets.
• Check that outdoor sockets have a cover and are intact.
• Ask whether the house is grounded. In older houses grounding is sometimes missing.

4. Air conditioners

• Ask how old the ACs are and when they were last serviced.
• Switch them on and feel whether they blow cold within a few minutes.
• Look at the outdoor units: rust, loose fins or white salt deposits are bad signs.
• Check for damp spots under the indoor units. Read more: AC leaking water or not cooling? 7 causes

5. Roof and gutters

• Look for stains on ceilings. They often point to an old or active roof leak.
• Ask if you can go on the roof. Look for cracks, bubbles and spots where water stays standing.
• Check that gutters and roof drains are clear. Read why: Rainy season on Bonaire: get your home ready

6. Woodwork and termites

• Look for small mud tubes on walls, frames or in the meter box. Those are signs of termites.
• Tap on wooden frames, doors and beams. If it sounds hollow or crumbles, something is wrong.
• Doors and windows that stick can also point to termites or moisture.
• In doubt? Have a pest control company check before you sign.

7. Walls, concrete and moisture

• Look for cracks in walls, especially with rust stains. That can point to rusting reinforcement steel in the concrete.
• Check whether concrete is crumbling at balconies, stairs and edges. Salt air speeds this up.
• Watch for a musty smell or mould in corners and cupboards.

8. Garden, pool and grounds

• Does the ground slope away from the house, or towards it? That decides what happens in a heavy shower.
• Does the irrigation work, and do you see wet spots for no reason?
• Does the house have a pool? Ask about the age of the pump and filter, and check that the water is clear.

Ask the seller for this

• The WEB water and electricity bills of the last months.
• What has been repaired or replaced in recent years, and when.
• Whether renovations and extensions were done with the right permit.
• Whether the house is connected to the sewer or has a septic tank.
• Whether there are known problems with water, power or the roof.

Have a tradesperson come along

You can see a lot yourself, but not everything. At a viewing I can go through the installations: water, drains, electrics and ACs. You get an overview of what I see and an estimate of roughly what repairs will cost. That helps with your decision and with negotiating.

Note: I don't do a full structural survey of foundations and construction. For that you go to a building surveyor. Legal matters, such as ownership or leasehold of the land, are handled by the notary.

What does it cost?

I charge USD 25 per hour, with a minimum of 2 hours. Going through water, drains, electrics and ACs in an average house usually takes 2 to 3 hours. You always hear the cost first.

Want to know what common repairs cost? Read: How much does a handyman cost on Bonaire?

Frequently asked questions

Do you do a full structural survey? No. I check the installations: water, drains, electrics and ACs. For foundations and construction you need a building surveyor.

How long does the check take? For an average house usually 2 to 3 hours. A large house with many ACs or a pool takes longer.

I'm still abroad. Can you look without me? Yes, if the seller or estate agent agrees. I'll then send you photos and an overview on WhatsApp.

What are the most expensive surprises? Underground pipes, a breaker panel that needs replacing, a leaking roof and concrete with rusting steel. You want to know about those before you buy.

Can you do the repairs afterwards too? Yes. Small and medium jobs I do myself, bigger jobs together with my team.

Viewing a house on Bonaire?

Send me a WhatsApp with the neighbourhood, the date of the viewing and what you'd like checked. Then I'll see if I can come along. I work all over Bonaire.