Cheap modernisation?

kimmi_uk

Hi,

I'm in the process of buying a flat which I know will need modernising when I move in. I want to re-tile both the bathroom and kitchen, buy new white goods for the kitchen (fridge freezer, gas oven, washing machine and dishwasher), paint all the rooms, put up a load of shelves, create two built in wardrobes in alcoves in the bedroom, possibly put in a gas fire and sort out some rotten window ledges.

I would really appreciate it if anyone has any tips on how to do all this with only a couple of grand (and frankly the less money the better). My parents and I are fairly good at DIY and have a lot of tools so should be able to actually put up the shelves and fit the wardrobes ourselves but I'm looking for the cheapest places to get the materials. Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Kim

Edwardia

If you have only 2k to spend you just aren't going to get new white goods plus gas fire for that, let alone the paint, wood etc.

Presumably you are wanting a good profit on resale, yes ? Then you should be thinking best for less not cheapest I can get. Because cheapo finishes generally won't add value.

In my experience Homebase is the most expensive but as it's owned by the same parent company as Argos, I wouldn't say it's the best quality. Wickes can be really cheap but I'm not always happy with the quality. I'd say that B&Q and Screwfix are pretty good value for money but as they are now owned by same company, I compare their prices as B&Q can be cheaper than Screwfix.

Re the wardrobes, if you have good DIY skills, how about looking for some decent wood for the doors say at a reclamation yard ?

bobthedambuilder

1. Do all the decorating yourself. Allow say £200 for tiles, paint and sundry materials.
2. Fit shelves yourself. Allow £100 for materials.
3. Install built in wardrobes yourself. Allow £200 for doors and shelves.
4. Sort the window ledges yourself. Allow £50 for timber for new ledges.
5. Buy kitchen equipment + gas fire. Allow average £250 for each of 5 items = £1250. Fit and plumb in white goods yourself.
6. Allow £ 150 for a qualified gas fitter to install and commission and certify the oven and fire.

Total £1950. Allow £50 for a good night out.

gibson123

Use E-bay and gumtree to see what you can get cheaper. it's amazing how much you can save, for most expensive purchases use price comparison sites to search. Get out your excel spreadsheets and cost our everything - bobthedambuilders projection above seems a good starting place. Good luck.

SailorSam

Have a look at Freecycle see if anyone is giving things away.