I COLLECTED MY KEYS!!!

gwynlas

Congratulations on your first home.
A lot will depend on the age of the property and whether it needs new electrics and plumbing as these define where everything else goes. it is better to ive in the house for at least six months if you can and look at a lot of renovation shows on TV and youtube to decide on how you want your house to look. and would things work better in different positions, 
There have been a number of recent articles on how people have transformed rooms on a budget during lockdown.
Unless the carpets etc are unbelievably gross just clean them for now, similarly slapping white paint around will freshen things up. Floors can be cleaned and painted.
Remember some people rip out practically new kichens bathrooms etc when they move in and if you have a competent diyer in the family you might be able to pick up better quality fixtures and fittings than you could otherwise afford. Compamies building bespoke wardrobe mostly use standard size fittings and just adjust the trim.
Recycling rather than buying cheap is better for your budget and the planet.

lara247

Thank you all for your advice and information! The survey came back with red flags e.g chimney, some bricks slits, damp on wall, also damp stains on the bedroom celing, We definitely having it damp proofed and the windows are so rusty cant push them open easily ( need new double glazed windows  for sure) I am still living at my parents home and I think I will be here for at least 8 weeks for them to finish the work. I think once the important things are done with the structure my next move is bathroom and kitchen. The kitchen looks OK but one door is hanging off and it looks and feels grubby! I will keep the kitchen floor, the tiles look solid but the rest must go. The bathroom is disgusting would love a new one put in now if I could! I am scared of being ripped off unfortunately we have no handymen/ builders in the family and if I get an idea of prices that I should be forking out I will feel less worried.
What I noticed today while walking around certain areas in the house the floor boards creek and not level at one point I almost buckled as there was a dip ( the survey didn't mention the floors) the more I was walking around the house I felt I was in a " fun house" kept going up and down like a seesaw!  I do feel once the carpet is ripped back there might be something serious under it all! The carpets are very thin and the cheapest ones I have ever seen! definitely want wood down and fluffy ones on stairs  

I am so excited was up at 4am today! and couldn't fall back to sleep!! this is the biggest thing to ever happen to me in my life! I just want to get it right first time! Wickes looks so dreamy and they come and install. I understand what many of you have said a home doesn't happen over night but I want the bulk done while were in "summer"



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khanji17

I would say, you need to visit IKEA & congratulations !!!

swingaloo

Congratulations, I know how I felt when I got the keys to my first house many years ago. It needed so much doing but it was mine and I just wanted to stand in it and soak it all in and make plans. Be aware that everything will take far longer than you think it will, when a workman says 3 weeks be prepared for it to take 5 or 6 lol. If the kitchen looks ok but is just grubby then what about giving the units a good scrub and just changing the doors for now rather than a full refit. One other thing I would mention, when you get quotes be confident. Don't tell them you are scared of being ripped off and have no idea how much things cost. Do your research first to get an idea of what you will need to spend. Sort out the damp issues first and foremost and get the windows done before the winter. Cosmetic can come later. Ask around your friends and neighbours for recommendations and get plenty of quotes before you commit. 

GaleSF63

Congratulations, and remember that if something isn't urgent (the kitchen sounds ok). part of the pleasure is in the looking and choosing so take your time and enjoy it. It's quite surprising how your ideas can change over a few weeks or months, as you discover things you hadn't thought of before, or simply change your mind. 

Squirrelz92

Oooooooh I am sooooo excited for you! Can literally feel your bouncing energy in your posts. It makes me all the more excited to finally get into my first home (waiting to exchange contracts). I know how you feel with wanting to rip out the bathroom/kitchen/get floors down etc as I am thoroughly addicted to researching what I want when I move in. BUT the above folks are right. Move in, unpack (unless you are getting the house rewired) and simply play with ideas. I think deep cleaning will help bring you a load of satisfaction and clarity as to what you may want out of the house design wise. The kitchen in the house I am buying is gross (spores all on walls behind the cupboards from a past leak that is now fixed. It's gross but with a good scrub using fungicidal wash, all will look a lot better. There is nothing that bleach and some Pink Stuff cant at least partially solve! As others have mentioned, perhaps paint the cupboards (that's what I will be doing) to allow yourself to postpone spending whilst you research and decide what design would work best for you. My house needs rewiring, sockets turned from single to double, some need putting into the wall and more than likely spot lights and a modernisation of all sockets and switches. Would love to keep up to date with where you are at with your house renovation! Do you have an instagram page for the reno job?!?!

RelievedSheff

lara247 said:

Thank you all for your advice and information! The survey came back with red flags e.g chimney, some bricks slits, damp on wall, also damp stains on the bedroom celing, We definitely having it damp proofed and the windows are so rusty cant push them open easily ( need new double glazed windows  for sure) I am still living at my parents home and I think I will be here for at least 8 weeks for them to finish the work. I think once the important things are done with the structure my next move is bathroom and kitchen. The kitchen looks OK but one door is hanging off and it looks and feels grubby! I will keep the kitchen floor, the tiles look solid but the rest must go. The bathroom is disgusting would love a new one put in now if I could! I am scared of being ripped off unfortunately we have no handymen/ builders in the family and if I get an idea of prices that I should be forking out I will feel less worried.
What I noticed today while walking around certain areas in the house the floor boards creek and not level at one point I almost buckled as there was a dip ( the survey didn't mention the floors) the more I was walking around the house I felt I was in a " fun house" kept going up and down like a seesaw!  I do feel once the carpet is ripped back there might be something serious under it all! The carpets are very thin and the cheapest ones I have ever seen! definitely want wood down and fluffy ones on stairs  

I am so excited was up at 4am today! and couldn't fall back to sleep!! this is the biggest thing to ever happen to me in my life! I just want to get it right first time! Wickes looks so dreamy and they come and install. I understand what many of you have said a home doesn't happen over night but I want the bulk done while were in "summer"



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I still remember the excitement we felt picking up the keys to our first house. You will never forget that.

I can only echo the advice that others have given you and try to live with the house first if possible before doing anything drastic.

If the layout of the kitchen works then you can buy the doors cheaply enough to give it a freshen up without the expense of a whole new kitchen. 

Concentrate on the important but boring stuff first like windows, doors, roof, electrics, gas systems etc. The pretty stuff is the last stuff to do. You need to have a good solid house first to work with before you can pretty it up.

DCFC79

Maybe take some photos and state what you would like to be done, you might get a better idea of cost but post over on the DIY board.

gwynlas

Further to what I said earlier get at least 3 quotes for everything. Do not fall for sales talk. Try to get recommendations from family and friends. Do not forget that sales are almost constant so keep your eyes open. Come back here if you have any queries att all.
Take lots of before and after photos.

oystercatcher

Remember that small local companies are often much cheaper and more efficient than the big companies that advertise on TV. When we were looking for flooring the local company was unexpectedly closed so instead we went to Carpetright for a quote, when we went to local company a few days later their quote for identical flooring was half of the big company which had supposedly given us a huge discount! Same goes for windows, kitchens, bathrooms, look local and get a few quotes before you decide. 

Well worth living in the house for a while before making too many decisions, it takes a while to decide that certain layouts work or don't work so you know what 'added extras' are worth it. Things like windows with fanlights are well worth it in my opinion, I'd never thought about it until I lived with big windows that I didn't want to leave wide open all night etc etc ...we all have our own priorities and ways of living,