Preparing for winter IV

SuiDreams

XSpender wrote: »

Last of the blinds put up yesterday and I am sure it is less draughty around the windows. I wish DH had decided he wanted to get the windows replaced before we had the blinds fitted because they will have to come down again and I am worried we won't put them back up as well.

Getting a quote tonight for the windows and/or a new front door so will at least know if we can afford to get them done this year or not.

I am off tomorrow so have made a list of jobs to do including some winter prep such as take up and line our bedroom curtains (or at least take them up and rehang them), cook some bits for the freezer, buy a couple of bits for the store cupboard and sort out my summer and winter clothes and footwear. I also need to start looking for a hat, gloves and slippers for DS and some gloves for me. DH wants another pack of vests for work.

We are just about there with the house and clothing but still need to sort out the garden, car and food stores.

Hope you don't mind but I just wanted to give a warning re windows, some companies charge extortionate amounts, avoid the large Nationals like Everest etc (there quote was 8x more than two local reputable companies) and I couldn't get rid of the sales man. Try asking neighbours who they used and approx cost so you have an estimated figure already in mind when they come and quote you. Good luck. My house has improved massively since getting the windows done. Looking forward to seeing how much I will save this year.

XSpender

Hi SuiDreams

I know just what you mean about the national companys. I had saf3styl3 give me a quote at my last flat about 12 years ago and it started at £9k for 4 windows and a door. My flat was only worth £40k at the time! It came down to £1500 but I was that fed up with them I went with another company and paid an extra £59. When I refused the finance with Saf3styl3 because I worked for a bank at the time and could get a great staff rate the salesman didnt believe me or that I knew what I was talking about and asked me questions like what is an APR to test my knowledge.:eek: He, or should I say the 2 man tag team, was invited to leave soon after that:rotfl:

The company coming tonight fitted 2 of my neighbours windows so I have a rough idea of price and their office/factory is about a mile and a half away from my house so very local.

The worst one I had was the fella from Moben kitchens who was in the house over an hour before stepping foot in my kitchen and then quoted me £26k to replace a kitchen so small you couldnt swing a cat in it:eek:

I too am looking forward to seeing my energy bills drop. We are fully insulated so apart from a new boiler there isnt much more we can do except keep an eye on our consumption.

EvelynBaker

My top winter tip is to always buy the same style gloves every year- e.g plain black wool (also the ones which doesn't matter which hand they go on) , then if you loose one- which I always do-you have a spare!

Love this thread but luckily I rent in a new block of flats which are incredibly warm, food is my main concern as ever.

SuiDreams

XSpender wrote: »

Hi SuiDreams

I know just what you mean about the national companys. I had saf3styl3 give me a quote at my last flat about 12 years ago and it started at £9k for 4 windows and a door. My flat was only worth £40k at the time! It came down to £1500 but I was that fed up with them I went with another company and paid an extra £59. When I refused the finance with Saf3styl3 because I worked for a bank at the time and could get a great staff rate the salesman didnt believe me or that I knew what I was talking about and asked me questions like what is an APR to test my knowledge.:eek: He, or should I say the 2 man tag team, was invited to leave soon after that:rotfl:

The company coming tonight fitted 2 of my neighbours windows so I have a rough idea of price and their office/factory is about a mile and a half away from my house so very local.

The worst one I had was the fella from Moben kitchens who was in the house over an hour before stepping foot in my kitchen and then quoted me £26k to replace a kitchen so small you couldnt swing a cat in it:eek:

I too am looking forward to seeing my energy bills drop. We are fully insulated so apart from a new boiler there isnt much more we can do except keep an eye on our consumption.

I hope you get offered a really good deal. I've had loft and windows/doors done this year and have replaced some of the lighting with low energy LED's. Still not 100% sure about the Cavity walls, will see how I go this year. Boiler is getting old but still going strong so going to leave it as long as possible before replacing. Not much more I can do really, except cross fingers and keep an eye on consumption.

nicki_2

aneres wrote: »

Hi

Loving all the tips on this thread. I now need to motivate myself to actually do some of them.

I have been looking at door rods and have come across this on ebay

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fixed-Swing-PORTIERE-ROD-Pole-Rail-4-DOOR-CURTAINS-42-/260714290241

Reasonably priced at £3.50 but not sure how good they are.

Good spot, I need something over my front door and this might just do the job, if I can work out if it'd work in my awkward blooming 'hall'. I'll have to have a ponder about that, although at £3.50 if it didn't work it wouldn't be that much money wasted. :think:

ETA: The £3.50 is for a set of rings, the actual rods are £32.99! Thats a crafty way of getting customers to pay more than they were expecting!

RevolvingDoor

I took my doggie for a walk the other day and realised my trainers have a hole as my feet got soaked so I will have to buy some new ones for the winter.

Hubbie also needs new boots and some jogging bottoms to wear in bed for when it gets cold.

It seems weird discussing this as it's sunny and warm here today.:D

Confuzzled

krustylouise wrote: »

B&m sell cheap hot water bottles with nice covers. I believe they are about £1.99

ooh thank you, i just noticed when i went to the dentist in a nearby town that's a bit larger that there is one quite near the office, what better excuse than cheap hotwater bottles to use to finally get myself into a b&m that i've heard such great things about :T

btw, nippy here today but i refuse to turn the heating on just yet!

Confuzzled

EvelynBaker wrote: »

My top winter tip is to always buy the same style gloves every year- e.g plain black wool (also the ones which doesn't matter which hand they go on) , then if you loose one- which I always do-you have a spare!

i do this with socks for the same reason, always did it with my daughters socks too, saves so much money and time/ effort trying to search out a matching one when you are running late etc

The_Boss

Went into the loft earlier - it was boiling up there but the rest of the flat is cold. Might have to add some extra boards and relocate up there until March

applecrumble24

I bought some gloves for my 2 year old today and promptly sewed a length of elastic too them to thread them through his sleeves. He must of gone through about 5 pairs last winter as I never got round to doing it and he hated wearing gloves so a job well done!