HVAC Copper in the Hood

[Doug Woodward]

We have the HVAC unit in a cage with chains around it as well, but there is still the exposed copper from the unit to the house. With freon and a new weld for the copper, it is going to run us $900.

We have the house under contract, but it is still in the option period and the house has not yet passed inspection or had the bank appraisal. 

The first question is, do we have to fix it to be able to pass inspection and make appraisal, or can we propose to the buyer that we will fix it before closing or give them an allowance for them to fix it after closing? 

If we do fix it, the house is vacant and it is likely to get hit again before closing (maybe even before the inspection and appraisal can be completed).  

This is not our first flip in this area (hence the cage and the chains), but after having both the inside and outside into smashed on the first one... the chains in addition to the cage seemed to be enough of a deterrent.

I haven't found a good way to protect that exposed copper. Any ideas?

We don't mind making the fix, I would just rather not have to make the same fix at ~$1000 a pop multiple times before making it to close.