Flat renovation as FTB: any advice welcome!

Emmia

lb00 said:

Emmia said:

lb00 said:

Emmia said:

Karndean and Amtico will post you samples if you go on their websites. Karndean also has an app with a visualiser tool on iPhone.

Wouldn't the tiles also potentially attract other import fees?

Nope, I have checked and there would be no import fees, just VAT and some admin costs (roughly 100£).
I'll order some samples or perhaps just try and go to a local retailer.

If you're in London, there is the Material Lab close to Oxford Circus which does a huge range of different floorings - and has samples

https://www.material-lab.co.uk

Thanks, so would they have both wood effect tiles and LVT flooring like Karndean and Amtico to see? From their website it looks like they are more of a design/ high-end place.moneysaver1978 said:

Are you in a rush to renovate your flat? If not, wait till the Clerkenwell Design Week where you can meet many suppliers (including tiles and flooring), and even take some home.

We went last year and it was very informative.

Yeah we would like to get it all done by Christmas and move early January.

I went to material lab to gather samples only, we have slate effect Amtico in our kitchen (fitted by John Lewis), it's fantastic and I'm seriously considering it for the hall and main living area in wood effect.

lb00

Emmia said:

lb00 said:

Emmia said:

lb00 said:

Emmia said:

Karndean and Amtico will post you samples if you go on their websites. Karndean also has an app with a visualiser tool on iPhone.

Wouldn't the tiles also potentially attract other import fees?

Nope, I have checked and there would be no import fees, just VAT and some admin costs (roughly 100£).
I'll order some samples or perhaps just try and go to a local retailer.

If you're in London, there is the Material Lab close to Oxford Circus which does a huge range of different floorings - and has samples

https://www.material-lab.co.uk

Thanks, so would they have both wood effect tiles and LVT flooring like Karndean and Amtico to see? From their website it looks like they are more of a design/ high-end place.moneysaver1978 said:

Are you in a rush to renovate your flat? If not, wait till the Clerkenwell Design Week where you can meet many suppliers (including tiles and flooring), and even take some home.

We went last year and it was very informative.

Yeah we would like to get it all done by Christmas and move early January.

I went to material lab to gather samples only, we have slate effect Amtico in our kitchen (fitted by John Lewis), it's fantastic and I'm seriously considering it for the hall and main living area in wood effect.

Will try to go check it out then. Problem is they are only open mon to fri during working times.. Thanks so much!

ComicGeek

lb00 said:

FreeBear said:

lb00 said:

FreeBear said:

lb00 said: The flat currently has old electric radiators as in the pic I added to the first post. What would you then recommend heating-wise?

OK, so wet UFH wouldn't be on the cards then. Unless you can get planning permission (and freeholder consent), an ASHP would also be out of the window.

High retention night storage heaters on an E7 tariff is probably going to be the cheapest system to use.

Thank you, I'll look into it. What would be the installation costs I should expect compared to electric UFH? Flat is 72 sqm, 2 bedrooms, kitchen/lounge, 2 bathrooms.

Both UFH and NSH will require some electrical work - If done at the same time as fitting new sockets, it shouldn't add hugely to the bill. Can't comment on the relative costs of NSH versus UFH as I've never had to purchase either. Just stay away from panel heaters like Fischer or anyone else that claims their electric heating is more efficient.

The flat also has an old air conditioning system with the external aircon unit fitted outside by the balcony.
Perhaps I could ask to take that out and replace it with an ASHP?

Otherwise, if I go for NSH, what do you think of putting panel heaters in the bedrooms for a quick top-up when going to bed or waking up? 

If it was me, I would check if the old air con still worked - that would be cheaper to run thatn electric heaters or electric UFH. Or replace it with an identical new air con unit - you can get small multi-split external condensers from which you can run 3 indoor units, for the 2 bedrooms and lounge.

ASHPs serving UFH or radiators are much less efficient in heating mode than traditional aircon.

Not only would it cut heating costs by around 80%, you can then get cooling in the summer months - which is probably necessary in London flats now.

lb00

ComicGeek said:

lb00 said:

FreeBear said:

lb00 said:

FreeBear said:

lb00 said: The flat currently has old electric radiators as in the pic I added to the first post. What would you then recommend heating-wise?

OK, so wet UFH wouldn't be on the cards then. Unless you can get planning permission (and freeholder consent), an ASHP would also be out of the window.

High retention night storage heaters on an E7 tariff is probably going to be the cheapest system to use.

Thank you, I'll look into it. What would be the installation costs I should expect compared to electric UFH? Flat is 72 sqm, 2 bedrooms, kitchen/lounge, 2 bathrooms.

Both UFH and NSH will require some electrical work - If done at the same time as fitting new sockets, it shouldn't add hugely to the bill. Can't comment on the relative costs of NSH versus UFH as I've never had to purchase either. Just stay away from panel heaters like Fischer or anyone else that claims their electric heating is more efficient.

The flat also has an old air conditioning system with the external aircon unit fitted outside by the balcony.
Perhaps I could ask to take that out and replace it with an ASHP?

Otherwise, if I go for NSH, what do you think of putting panel heaters in the bedrooms for a quick top-up when going to bed or waking up? 

If it was me, I would check if the old air con still worked - that would be cheaper to run thatn electric heaters or electric UFH. Or replace it with an identical new air con unit - you can get small multi-split external condensers from which you can run 3 indoor units, for the 2 bedrooms and lounge.

ASHPs serving UFH or radiators are much less efficient in heating mode than traditional aircon.

Not only would it cut heating costs by around 80%, you can then get cooling in the summer months - which is probably necessary in London flats now.

As soon as I get home, I’ll take a picture of the external unit. It should be a Mr. Slim system. There’s an outdoor unit located near the balcony, and indoors, there are air vents situated just above the windows. Thanks!

lb00

ComicGeek said:

lb00 said:

FreeBear said:

lb00 said:

FreeBear said:

lb00 said: The flat currently has old electric radiators as in the pic I added to the first post. What would you then recommend heating-wise?

OK, so wet UFH wouldn't be on the cards then. Unless you can get planning permission (and freeholder consent), an ASHP would also be out of the window.

High retention night storage heaters on an E7 tariff is probably going to be the cheapest system to use.

Thank you, I'll look into it. What would be the installation costs I should expect compared to electric UFH? Flat is 72 sqm, 2 bedrooms, kitchen/lounge, 2 bathrooms.

Both UFH and NSH will require some electrical work - If done at the same time as fitting new sockets, it shouldn't add hugely to the bill. Can't comment on the relative costs of NSH versus UFH as I've never had to purchase either. Just stay away from panel heaters like Fischer or anyone else that claims their electric heating is more efficient.

The flat also has an old air conditioning system with the external aircon unit fitted outside by the balcony.
Perhaps I could ask to take that out and replace it with an ASHP?

Otherwise, if I go for NSH, what do you think of putting panel heaters in the bedrooms for a quick top-up when going to bed or waking up? 

If it was me, I would check if the old air con still worked - that would be cheaper to run thatn electric heaters or electric UFH. Or replace it with an identical new air con unit - you can get small multi-split external condensers from which you can run 3 indoor units, for the 2 bedrooms and lounge.

ASHPs serving UFH or radiators are much less efficient in heating mode than traditional aircon.

Not only would it cut heating costs by around 80%, you can then get cooling in the summer months - which is probably necessary in London flats now.

This is what the air con external unit looks like – it’s a Mitsubishi Mr Slim R407C model, installed in 2002. There are vents on the ceiling in the lounge and both bedrooms.

What would you then suggest? I’m not a big fan of heating through air and would prefer the warmth you get from heaters or UFH.

Mutton_Geoff

lb00 said:

It used to be offices but now it's all residential flats so it's essentially purpose built. Was renovated in 2002.

If it was converted from offices, then it can't have been purpose built surely?

lb00

Mutton_Geoff said:

lb00 said:

It used to be offices but now it's all residential flats so it's essentially purpose built. Was renovated in 2002.

If it was converted from offices, then it can't have been purpose built surely?

Well it was converted indeed. Yet now it's all residential flats and even my surveyor put on the report the flat is purpose-built 
But you are correct it's converted.

lb00

I just received a quote from one builder for the works. What are your thoughts? Flat is in central London and roughly 75sqm.

• Dismantling of existing flooring and skirting: 650.00

• Supply and installation of acoustic under tile membrane: 3,000.00

• Installation of underfloor heating: 2,000.00

• Latexing over underfloor heating cables and installation of new tiles: 6,500.00

• Installation of new skirting board (customer to supply): 1,600.00

• Installation of bathroom 1 including plumbing: 7,000.00

• Installation of bathroom 2 including plumbing: 7,200.00

• Painting of apartment: 8,000.00

• Removal of kitchen: 500.00

• Plaster hallway ceilings: 600.00

• Removal of rubbish: 1,500.00

• Supply of underfloor heating system plus thermostat for 6 zones: 3,000.00

Subtotal: 41,550.00

VAT (20%): 8,310.00

Total with VAT: 49,860.00

Materials are to be paid on receipt of invoice:

Adhesive, Latex, Primer, Paint, Skirting board (if customer wants us to provide), Sanitary ware, Plumbing fixings, Protection

Emmia

Have you got any required permissions from the freeholder for this work?

EssexHebridean

If you go the HHR storage heater route, then yes - use those in living areas and the hallway, with panel heaters in the bedrooms. Even HHR models do have some heat loss, and you may not find that comfortable in the bedroom.