[qualifier] I am a state licensed contractor, in plumbing, electrical and HVAC [/qualifier]
As a practical matter, the only time a structure needs to be ‘brought up to code’ is when the work scope is large enough to be visible to the outside world, or if local utilities need to be involved. In those instances contractors or homeowners are required to pull permits and city inspectors (the people who ultimately force you to ‘bring it to code’) are called in.
In most minor work scopes (and, YMMV) it is not necessary to bring a whole house to code.
Examples where it likely wouldn’t be required: installing a dishwasher, installing some can lights, swapping out a lav or toilet etc.
Examples where it probably would: a room addition, major remodeling etc.
I tend to think the plumber was [in this order of likeliness] a) looking to get away from a potential headache; iow exiting gracefully , b) inexperienced or afraid, or c) looking to expand the work scope.
I can’t imagine a more harmless installation than a dishwasher. An experienced plumber would give you his price, outline the work scope clearly-----which includes spelling out what is not included-----, and making you aware of any concerns he has, including any code or safety issues, and the potential for further costs related to them.
True, and he may have recognized a situation where due to the age and condition of the components would mean their ultimate replacement anyway. Sure, he can hook up the dishwasher, but that 60 year old water pipe is almost rotted away, he will have to remove it all the way back to the next good fitting, which is, by the way, the water meter. And yes, the new work will be installed to code, not as a means to ‘bring it up to code’ but simply because everything he installs is up to code.
No, I will stay in Saudi earning the money to buy a new house. The old house in question belongs to Blue Kayak. Our thinking now is to sell the property and move upmarket.
Whatever else is wrong with the house, it is in an exceptional walk-to-school location. It is the lowest-priced property in the area. It ought to move quickly.
They’re not exceptions: they’re the vast majority of the people I know. They may move a few times in their youth, but eventually settle down. Paul, given that you do want to sell the specific property, your basic option are two extremes: a rehaul, or sell “to rehaul”. A half-assed rehaul (such as putting in a dishwasher without bringing the electrical and plumbing up to code) is likely to be the option with the worst work+cost+hassle/benefit ratio.
Homeowners never stop moving? Seriously? They put all that money into something they expect to last a few years? Maybe it’s an American thing, but even in American, most of the people I knew intended to stop or had stopped at some point.
Something else needed for a dishwasher is electricity. If this is the house’s first dishwasher, it won’t have the required dedicated electric circuit to power the machine.
As for the plumber saying the place needs to be brought to code, my vote is on a seasoned pro who’s had his share of “easy” jobs that turned into disasters because everything they touched crumbled away.