Retro fitting an integrated washing machine

Liz1966

This is what I want to do:

Have a new kitchen installed as cheaply as possible therefore keeping my existing freestanding washing machine. It works fine but doesn't look too pretty (same as its owner!). However, when the machine packs up I'd rather replace it with a integrated machine. This will avoid me having to get rid of a perfectly good machine just because an integrated machine will look nicer.

Will I be able to retro-fit an integrated maching into the kitchen or am I going to have to choose style over substance now?

Thanks for any help!

bigdic

Sounds easy to me, just ensure the gap left for your machine is the right size and that you buy a integrated washing machine door (same style as your kitchen) and a door handle when you buy your kitchen.

When your machine packs up, buy an integrated one, fit the door, install the machine. Done!

Edit: If you can spare a few quid then I'd get a set of appliance rollers and put your old machine on these, it'll make it a doddle to get it out and replace it in the future.

kwatt

If only it were that simple.

You're problem is that you will have to remember the plinth will need a big hole in it for the freestander and, when integrated it will look daft with a section out of it.

Also make sure that the pipework isn't behind the machine as it can stop an integrated one from going fully back as well as cause rattles and banging on spin. So make sure they stick the plumbing in an adjacent cupboard.

You will also have to buy the special door and keep it safe to fit later.

Hope that helps.

K.

tomr182

I have just bought a new house and didnt fancy paying the builders a huuuge amount of money to do this for me
I have found an integrated washing machine that fits but would like to know everything I need to consider to fit it

Matching door and handle to go on washing machine
plinth/skirting board - do I need a full length one to replace the current 2 either side and fill in the gap? or do i just need a bit to go in the gap? what is standard?

Also, thought about doing the same for the fridge freezer (but when I get a new fridge freezer in a while) Obviously need doors and handles and plinth, but is there anything else to consider? is this 'easy' enough?

Are either jobs easy/hard avoidable etc? And what, from experience, would anyone think the cost would be - roughly

thank you all!