What home improvements should I make

stphnstevey

Just moved into new home. 3 bed semi detached. Double glazed but older wood with smaller gap between panes. LPG HW & CH & hob & fire. 2015 boiler. Nest thermostat. Electric oven. Cavity wall insulation & loft insulation. Older but functional kitchen & bathroom (power shower from boiler). Garden suitable. Garage. 

Brie

Depends on what's important to you and how much you can afford.

If everything is working ok then I'd just wait to see how things settle over the next few months.  I'd want to see what the bills are like and see what I could save for before dishing out more money or racking up more credit to get things shiny new.

Gaps in the windows will likely need looking at earlier than the rest to save money on heating.  Nothing the matter with an older boiler that is working fine, likewise the electric oven.   We decided to redo our kitchen when the doors started falling off and the oven stopped working 2 days before we were having the folks over for Christmas dinner.

Gardens they say you should live with a year to see what every season brings you.  Unless it's either a border to border lawn so no variety. 

Garage - well that's where you're going to stack up everything you don't know what to do with for the next 15+ years so I'd be leaving that way down the list.  

FreeBear

Brie said: If everything is working ok then I'd just wait to see how things settle over the next few months.  I'd want to see what the bills are like and see what I could save for before dishing out more money or racking up more credit to get things shiny new.

Gaps in the windows will likely need looking at earlier than the rest to save money on heating.

I agree. Wait until next year to see what really needs doing.

As for the windows, I read the "Double glazed but older wood with smaller gap between panes" to mean thin sealed units, possibly 14mm - Being in wooden frames, I'd be taking a close look to see if they have started to rot. If they are starting to go, budget for replacements within a year or two. Also check to see if lintels are required on the outer leaf of brickwork. If a lintel is required, it may be possible to wriggle one in whilst the window is out - Managed to do that with one window here. Another, I had to remove soldier course first.

Looking further ahead, consider replacing the gas boiler with a heat pump. In the short term, certainly worth fitting a programmable thermostat now. Once set up, you could save up to 15% on gas. The saving is more likely to be around 5%, but at the price of the stuff currently, it would pay for its self pretty quick.

Newbie_John

Exactly, you may decide to throw a lot of money in STH now just to find out the STH else needs instant replacement. If all in order leave it as it is and review in a year - knowing heating costs, quality, issues..

theoretica

Solar panels?

FreeBear

theoretica said:

Solar panels?

After doing the roof (unless it is in good condition).

greenbee

As everyone says, take time to see what needs doing. First make sure that the roof and windows are sound (windows were top of my list last time as every time I opened one bits fell off, but I still waited till spring). As Freebear says, updating heating controls is probably the first thing to do as it should be relatively simple and cheap. 

Decide how you will use the space, what annoys you, what you can live with. Get it clean, slap a coat of white/neutral paint on anywhere the current colour really bugs you (or it feels dirty) and make do with everything over the winter. If the windows turn out to be draughty, add extra layers of charity shop curtains/fleece - or even bubble wrap and cardboard - over the winter and start getting an idea of replacement costs. Check the loft insulation - but wait to upgrade it until you’ve done any electrics/plumbing that involves going into the roof (or work on the roof itself). Don’t rush into new kitchens and bathrooms if they function but are just not to your taste - you’ll have other priorities in the first year. 

If the heating needs upgrading, consider either a heat pump, or if the boiler is still ok but radiators need replacing, now is the time to upgrade those and the pipe work to be heat pump ready. If doing anything with electrics add more sockets than you think you need! 

nologo

I'm fairly sure a nest thermostat is a programmable thermostat, also agree with all the comments, live with it for a while, maybe do some decorating & cleaning

Mutton_Geoff

Do nothing for at least a year other than minor stuff to prevent or reduce heat/energy loss.

Eldi_Dos

Make sure smoke alarms are in place and functioning, have a CO2 Alarm in every room you have a gas burning appliance.
Check around for draughts, if windows are showing problems like that try caulking rope as temp fix.
Boiler and fire service.

Apart from that as others have said enjoy your home for a year before planning any big expenditure. 

Edit:
 Should read CO Alarm but to be on the safe side buy 2.

FreeBear

Eldi_Dos said: have a CO2 Alarm in every room you have a gas burning appliance.

And solid fuel stove or open fire - These can be just as dangerous as gas appliances.