DIY, just how much is too much?

jellie

£10k sounds a lot but when you start planning your new kitchen and bathroom it won't be, especially if you want to change the layouts.

I'd make sure your electrics, boiler and windows are ok and then live with what you've got for a while. A quick lick of paint on the bathroom walls would make a big difference.

Once you've lived with the layout of your kitchen and bathroom for a few months, then you'll be in a better position to think about replacing them and deciding whether the current layouts work for you.

You could get cheap second hand stuff to tide you over.

londonlydia

Hi, I was/ am in a similar situation to you having been a FTB with my partner 18 months ago. We've always kept a £5k buffer, and started with £14k leftoevr after deposit.

Where we started was looking at the building survey we had done. Did you get a full survey done? That was the starting point for us as we were able to sort the urgent things, and start to plan for the soon-should-be-fixed stuff. That should flag up if things like your electrics or boiler/gas stuff needs looking at. I think gas in particular is the one you should always get a professional in for, even if you think you know how to do it.

Also, if I was you I would live with your bathroom for a bit, and wait until you've developed your skills a bit first. I know people find coloured suites unfashionable, but really who cares if it's functionable for a bit?

I would start with the decorating and the flooring, both are DIY jobs. There is skill to both though, and I would suggest you both try the painting and see who the better is as badly painted walls are worse than dated colours IMHO. You can both go about filling, sanding, and cleaning the surfaces first though.

One thing to note budget wise, ask your friends and family nicely to borrow as many tools as possible. Otherwise, all these small things add up and will eat up your budget. And I dont just mean hammers/ saws, it's things like step ladders, decent dust sheets, roller handles (you can buy new rolls), frogtape etc.

WHITEyy118

Wow! Thanks for all the replies.

First of all I'd just like to clarify a few things. When I asked how much was too much I was really after budget planning and what we SHOULD do and could maybe leave, so thanks for that. But what I didn't really mean is how much is too much for US to do. So I'll kinda start again.

It's a repossession (probably should have mentioned that) late 80's/early 90s semi and so will be empty and most things are taped up. Now without going into how to treat a repossession differently (change locks etc.) I just want to focus on the DIY/redecoration.

We know someone who deals with gas and boilers so will get him to check over everything and we are trying to find someone for the electrics. As for tiling and kitchen we not only want to save money but both fathers are and have been DIYer's for ages. They are willing to help and I will grab any opportunity with both hands. Also with the kind of work myself and they do tools shouldn't be a problem.

Talking of the kitchen, both that and the bathroom are original and while the bathroom MAY have some life left the kitchen almost certainly doesn't.

Anyway any more help and experience from you is greatly appreciated.:T

Niv

WHITEyy118 wrote: »

Wow! Thanks for all the replies.

First of all I'd just like to clarify a few things. When I asked how much was too much I was really after budget planning and what we SHOULD do and could maybe leave, so thanks for that. But what I didn't really mean is how much is too much for US to do. So I'll kinda start again.

It's a repossession (probably should have mentioned that) late 80's/early 90s semi and so will be empty and most things are taped up. Now without going into how to treat a repossession differently (change locks etc.) I just want to focus on the DIY/redecoration.

We know someone who deals with gas and boilers so will get him to check over everything and we are trying to find someone for the electrics. As for tiling and kitchen we not only want to save money but both fathers are and have been DIYer's for ages. They are willing to help and I will grab any opportunity with both hands. Also with the kind of work myself and they do tools shouldn't be a problem.

Talking of the kitchen, both that and the bathroom are original and while the bathroom MAY have some life left the kitchen almost certainly doesn't.

Anyway any more help and experience from you is greatly appreciated.:T

Well, my kitchen cost me ~£1k for the units with built inoven, surfaces / tiling and paint were extra as was fitting (thank you FIL).

Bathroom – basic suite £150:

http://www.victorianplumbing.co.uk/Melbourne-5-Piece-Bathroom-Suite.aspx

again excluding tiling, paint and fitting.



How much is too much? Only you can say, you have not told us what your plansare. Are you trying to flip the house for a quick profit or are you planning tobe there for years? For example if I was trying to flip it, I would be buyingcheap carpet that was presentable for selling, if I were going to live therefor years I would pick something more heard wearing and specifically my taste.



Golden rule though – too much is if you have to put it ontick J(that is my opinion though).



Niv

benson1980

Sounds similar to our 2 bed that we just sold. Cost us around 7k in total to do everything. Decorating, carpets, laminate, new kitchen, new bathroom. Everything DIY apart from plumbing bathroom suite in, and fitting the kitchen units and worktop.
Quick breakdown
Kitchen units/worktops/oven- £1600 for budget range + £1200 to fit. Approx £500 for tiles, light fittings etc. Total £3300
Pergo laminate flooring for downstairs, stairs and upstairs landing. £1200
Carpets for two bedrooms £500
Bathroom- new suite about £600. Plumbing in £400. Tiles, mirrors, cabinets etc £500. Total £1500
Decorating everywhere else, painting walls + skirting, light fittings, internal doors etc. Probably about £1000.

wallbash

Any one care to better this ??

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/1186031

start at post # 1965

Was a long time ago and I was a lot younger, but the fun that was had is hard to describe, the money we saved was large and the profit we made when we came to sell was fantastic, we tripled ( yes tripled) our investment in under three years.

just how much is too much?, dont know we never reached a level which we said , lets stop. But there was a stage when I stood on an earth floor , in the front room, and looked up at the sky!!! Just have faith in yourself and do it.