Completed, now what order to do things?

fidgetgreen

On Friday I got the keys to my first flat!

It needs a lot of work so I just wanted to know what order i should do things in.

I have taken pictures of the gas and electrics and I’ll be looking to get a new deal on that. Is going through the MSE Cheap energy club the best way to do this? Should I wait until I get the boiler serviced and the electricals checked out before switching or just do it now?

I’m not going to be living there for a while so the broadband / phone line can wait.

I want to replace all the radiators and possibly rewire the whole place (there aren’t enough sockets and the ones that are there aren’t flush with the wall so look ugly). I also want to put in a new kitchen, do I get kitchen plans drawn up first then get the rewiring done altogether?

Also, really stupid question I should have asked my solicitor...will I get a letter from my mortgage company telling them how much I owe and when to pay them? Is it worth opening a current account the the lender to make payments easier?

Thanks!

ec9wrr

Lots of questions there... most I can’t help with. But... here’s the few I know about.

Switch energy straight away. Yes, use MSE club, but also check you can’t get a better deal with the cheapest by going direct. Pureplanet for example have a refer a friend scheme where you get £50 amazon voucher if you’re referred by a friend. This is better than the MSE Club link.
With regards to your mortgage payment. You should get a letter from your mortgage company. They won’t mind what bank account they deduct the payment from. I know Santander offer cashback on your mortgage payment if you have a 123 account. Barclays offer a fixed credit back for each mortgage payment. So if there’s a benefit like that then worth switching. If not, no need.

Marvel1

What I do know:

Get in touch with the current energy supplier the previous occupants used to pass reading etc.

Get in touch with the council for tax purposes - let them know what are doing to the house, discounts may apply depending on their policy.

Also get in touch water company.

I have a different account to my lender, all my bills get paid from that account.

lees80

Rewire will be by far one of the messiest jobs you do but before you can rewire fully you will need your kitchen design plans. The electrician will work to it.

Any bathroom work? Same applies re plan for the electrician. Shaver / toothbrush socket. Light up wall mirror etc.

Bedroom(a) / lounge - any wall mounted TV's?

For our rewire I printed off the floor plans from the estate agent and marked on it where we wanted the sockets to go etc. Worked out well for us.

Radiators - go slightly higher on the required BTU as you can always control heat output via boiler and /or thermostat on radiators.

You will get a letter from mortgage company confirming your first monthly payment amount and date. Banking with lender is not important - we don't.

Yes to changing Gas & Elec straight away, always works out cheaper.

Good luck and enjoy your new home.

AdrianC

fidgetgreen wrote: »

I have taken pictures of the gas and electrics and I’ll be looking to get a new deal on that. Is going through the MSE Cheap energy club the best way to do this?

It's one of the ways to find a good deal, but not the only one. All the usual comparison engines offer utilities.

Should I wait until I get the boiler serviced and the electricals checked out before switching or just do it now?

Do it now - having the boiler and wiring checked out is totally separate from who sends you the bill for the gas and electricity.

I’m not going to be living there for a while so the broadband / phone line can wait.

Don't forget to tell the council tax and insurance that the property's empty...

I want to replace all the radiators and possibly rewire the whole place (there aren’t enough sockets and the ones that are there aren’t flush with the wall so look ugly). I also want to put in a new kitchen, do I get kitchen plans drawn up first then get the rewiring done altogether?

The kitchen fitters will do any wiring and plumbing that's needed for the kitchen as part of that job. If the consumer unit ("fuse box") or boiler are in the kitchen, get those sorted first. Apart from that, they're really two separate jobs.

Also, really stupid question I should have asked my solicitor...will I get a letter from my mortgage company telling them how much I owe and when to pay them? Is it worth opening a current account the the lender to make payments easier?

You'll have done all the DD paperwork before the mortgage could be drawn down.

Enjoy your new home!

GDB2222

With houses a lot of the electrical cables go in the loft or under floors. For a flat, re wiring usually involves surface mounting the cables in trunking or channeling the plaster. You seem to prefer the latter, but it creates immense amounts of dust. It’s also rather expensive.

I suggest you keep an open mind about what electrical work to do until you have had quotes. If it is in good condition, you could add sockets and improve the appearance rather than doing a complete rewire.

Are there any areas of loose plaster?

fidgetgreen

Thanks for the input everyone.

I used quidco to get cashback for the new dual fuel bill. I'm steadily working through the rest of the suggestions.

AndyBSG

fidgetgreen wrote: »

possibly rewire the whole place

Are you sure it's a rewire you need?

Adding extra sockets is a relatively straightforward job for an electrician but a rewire is a very different job and very costly as well as disruptive.

Silvertabby

Change the locks. You have no idea how many 'spare' keys to your home there may be out there.

fidgetgreen

I might not need to do a full rewire. I need to get an electrician in to check it out.

Yep, will be changing the locks this weekend!

Mkaa

Oh congratulations! Got the keys to my first property last Friday too! And has lots to be done.

I am a bit confused as to what to do about gas/ electricity accounts. The EA has provided names of the companies that are providing energy. The electricity is pay as you go, topped up by card as it was rented.
But I thought the gas would have been automatically been cut off?;? When a house is sold don't the gas/ electric contracts end automatically?? And then it's up to me to get new contracts when I want as not moving in asap, so not in a rush. Sooo confused!