[cradan]

This home is going to require some very costly repair work. In the basement I found the breaker panel had been disassembled.. that is to say I saw breakers stacked inside the box, disconnected. The terminals or connections within the panel may been snipped also, as I could see many bare leads. Lines running to and from the block/box were also cut and removed. Tracing the hangers, holders and fasteners, I found 2 crawlspace entrances, where lines picked back up. It would appear someone had removed said components and materials where seen and left remaining lines, (beneath the house and outside) in tact. The conduit bringing inside the main lines had been removed along with the wiring.. outside incoming wiring was cut approximately flush with basement wall. I also saw a severed thin white insulated line, in which I believe had been connected to a thermostat, leading to the HVAC system. There was a panel removed from the ductwork exposing a large cube shaped void, connecting to, located above/alongside, the furnace. I am not sure if this housed an evaporator coil or a filter. I seem to remember seeing these coils usually at the bottom of systems. I'm sure they all differ. Some copper plumbing components removed in this area (hvac) also.

I will post this into HVAC category as well. I feel explaining all that I witnessed, resulting fom this thief 's and saboteur's actions may expose his methods and intentions. It was likely a very hurried and clumsy operation I'd imagine, or perhaps rooting from an idiocratic man-child, enduring a maddening foreclosure on his beloved home. These monkey-wrenched homes must be encountered often. I am hopeful some of y'all may have insight as to what repairs will be necessary and perhaps the possible costs associated.. and where to check or expect additional malevolence.

addtl info: 4bdrm (8 finished rooms), 3000 SF, h20 conditioner softener filtration systems, propane furnace, elec water heater, elec appliances detached 1car and 2car garages. Online calculators estimate 5 Ton HVAC (4.74) would be appropriate. [double paned/thermal vinyl windows, zone 5-6 climate (indiana)] I saw wall mounted elec heaters on the second floor, probably functional. Well pump. Updated electrical system (had been) wall mounts and fixtures all modern. ==200amp service?

[talaniman]

Was this house inspected and what were the results? What were the terms before final sale and why have you not contacted the inspector and the bank if you suspect intentional wrong doing?

No need for another posting in a different forum as this seems more a law issue than an actual project one.

[smearcase]

Sounds mostly like outright theft of especially copper, which is not unusual in vacant homes or even homes under construction.
Maleovence would have been more along the lines of cutting wires well out of sight and hard to track down, or intentional short circuiting, mixing up splices, pinholes in plumbing etc.
What you describe is a quick and dirty theft of easy to access components. And maybe not so expensive to repair partially because it was done in accessible areas.
Unless you have some known enemies who you suspect of sabotage, the chances of this happening in the house when it is occupied wuld seem to be slim.
Repairing it and allowing it to sit vacant- better chance of a repeat.
Have it inspected and get some estimates from applicable craftsman, and tell them you want to salvage any items such as potions of circuits that can still be safely maintained.

[ScottGem]

I'm a bit confused here. Is this a home that you are buying or already bought? Did you discover these issues after closing or just on an inspection?

As far as an estimate of costs, that would be pretty impossible without seeing the damage and knowing where the house is.

[smoothy]

YOU cshould have done a walk through no later than the day before closing if not on the day of closing... if the damage wasn't there at that time... then its upon you once the papers are signed. Did you have insurance on the place? In many areas you get drug addicts breaking in and stealing anything copper or that can be resold. Usually its vacant property... but many times its occupied property.