Would you buy a house with no room for tumble dryer or dishwasher?

Owain_Moneysaver

I've redone my kitchen recently and deliberately put in space and venting for a tumble dryer (or a dishwasher). A TD is nice to have with British weather especially if you don't have a good (or any) outside drying area, and I suppose even a single person would appreciate a DW if they do a lot of cooking or entertaining.

But property around here is spacious and cheap (if you don't mind the scruffy areas).

ripplyuk

OP, just buy a condenser dryer and do the washing up by hand.

I’m actually surprised at the amount of people here who don’t have a tumble dryer especially since I’ve often seen comments on threads here warning people not to leave clothes to dry indoors on airers/radiators etc. I’d be worried about damp and mould. Drying even one full load on an airer will create an awful lot of moisture. I guess you could keep the windows open the whole time but that seems very inefficient (and cold!).

Where I live, even in summer the weather is often not good enough to dry clothes outside. I couldn’t do without a tumble dryer. I don’t care about a dishwasher though. I live alone and wouldn’t even want one for just a few dishes.

ACG

We bought a house last year with a dishwasher included - we have never used it. If there is space for a washer, why not get a combined washer/dryer?

goodwithsaving

I'm on my own and when I was looking, I discarded anywhere without space for a full size dishwasher and tumbledryer (not washer/dryer). Dishwashers are useful, mine goes on 3 times a week and does my pots, pans....everything. My tumble dryer is a backup for the washing line, or if it rains when my washing is out, or if quite honestly I just want the washing over and done with ASAP.
When you live alone, for me it's just having some help even if that's in the form of having a machine to wash up, or get the clothes dry. I also have a robot vaccum just to make things easier. I'm not lazy, but I do sometimes get down about having to battle everything myself, so I like to help myself.


In my old place my tumble dryer went in the spare room in built wardrobe. I left the door open when in use and it was far from the wall. (Not recommended but it's a heat pump one and doesn't get as hot as a standard condenser drier).


But that's me. It's a personal decision.

But then I wasn't a FTB.

Drawingaline

It's very personal. We had a dishwasher when we moved in, I took it out to make room for the tumble drier. The dryer has also been in the porch and conservatory (needed venting). Now we have a condensing one in the kitchen. Have never used a dishwasher and never will (2 adults 4 children) it's what having teens is for

I use the dryer as little as possible but this time of year when it mostly dries outside, but the heating isn't on yet I find most loads need a little bit to finish them off. Also I am a cleaner and use a lot of cloths daily, and I need them ready for the next day so do rely on a dryer. As the eveninngs get colder and the heating comes on I will use the dryer less.

However my sister rarely uses her dryer, but cannot cope without her dishwasher!

luckofthe_irish

Wow thank you so much for all the fab responses! It is so interesting to read everyone's opinions and see what is essential/non-essential for everyone.

I have had a long hard think about the property yesterday and last night and have come to the conclusion that the kitchen is just too small for me. I am a massive cook and foodie so spend the majority of time in the kitchen and the applicance/floor space would be too much of compromise for me, especially as the asking price is at the top end of my budget. I have been studying the floor plans with my builder pal but we can't identify somewhere where I could install another space to accommodate the laundry side of life.

Back to the drawing board it seems but have also decided that a dishwasher is key as I simply HATE washing up but a tumble drier is simply a want as I haven't had one in the 5 years of renting so I could simply continue to hang sheets/towels around the house as I do at the moment. I will deffo be looking for a place that has the potential to have both, but well aware I will probably need to compromise due to budget restrictions.

Really appreciate all the help and I have loved reading everyone's opinions!

GaleSF63

Obviously what other people have said about they use/want/need is personal to them but hopefully it has made it clearer what is important to you.

Good luck with your continuing search.

You already know you really want a dishwasher so make it an essential requirement that there is at least room for one. (A table-top one if necessary).

The tumble dryer is a bit more flexible - as long as there's space for a washing machine, a washer/dryer is always possible if there isn't room for a freestanding dryer anywhere in the house.

SingleSue

Space for a dishwasher I could do without (never had one, wouldn't even know how to work one) but space for a tumble dryer is a must.

Mind you with how my hands now are, a dishwasher would be rather nice and save on all the broken plates I am now producing!

luckofthe_irish

GaleSF63 wrote: »

Obviously what other people have said about they use/want/need is personal to them but hopefully it has made it clearer what is important to you.

Good luck with your continuing search.

You already know you really want a dishwasher so make it an essential requirement that there is at least room for one. (A table-top one if necessary).

The tumble dryer is a bit more flexible - as long as there's space for a washing machine, a washer/dryer is always possible if there isn't room for a freestanding dryer anywhere in the house.

Thank you - yes this is exactly how I am looking at it. I have put dishwasher on my 'must haves' but tumble dryer is only on my preferences. It's amazing the things you realise when you start looking at different properties.

I have discounted the original property and now seen another which has space in the kitchen for both :T but I am concerned about what the area is like as I don't know it very well... does property buying ever get easier? :rotfl:

Smodlet

Best of luck to you, Irish and I hope you find your new home really soon. Don't forget the crime maps if you don't know an area and to visit at different times of day and night on different days as well.

I hope you will let us know how you get on. Good hunting!