Fridges and Lawn mowers

[ScienceBoy]

A bit like paper boys thread but I have a very different new house shopping list.

I never realised all these hidden costs in a house move.

I need:

Fridge Freezer
Washer
Dryer
Lawn mower
Vacuum cleaner (bought a dyson)
TV ( bought a new Panny)
Microwave
Shed (???)
Wardrobes
Curtains
Blinds
Garden furniture


All the stuff you usually find in a rented house already or built in. I have probably missed a few thinks above. We have the small things like coffe machine, plates, pans etc cutesy of our wedding a few years back.

I've yet to pay the clairvoyant fees but once done I should know my remaining budget.

I have a decent sized back garden now, way bigger than expected for a new build but great for my boy.

Also buying off plan was scary but turned out great.

So any advice on kitting out a house and garden in a new build with the big stuff?

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Try British Heart Foundation furniture & electrical shops

Its all pre used , but very good quality

happens to be one at 164-167 East Road, Cambridge.CB1 1DB


Wont find all of the stuff you need, but they probably have a good chunk

 

[Robster59]

Try some of the "scratch and dent" places for your electrical stuff. Also, Gumtree can be your friend.

 

[ScienceBoy]

Try some of the "scratch and dent" places for your electrical stuff. Also, Gumtree can be your friend.

I'm looking to "buy to last" more than "buy on a budget" but your advice is sound as I don't want to pay more than I need to. I think for garden furniture I will take your advice as they look used after about two weeks

Looking at my list I don't know where to start with buying a shed and lawn mower.

No idea what to look for in a good fridge freezer or washing machine. I don't think gadgety however, just works and stays working!

 

[Tashyboy]

Re electrical, pop into Currys and see what you like. Then go online and compare the prices at places like appliance direct. Dunelm mills. Lawnmower and garden furniture, leave it a couple of months. If possible leave some of your buying til the sales 👍.

 

[Crazyface]

Fridge Freezer - Beko
Washer - Hotpoint
Dryer - White Knight
Lawn mower - E bay Qualcast
Vacuum cleaner (bought a dyson) - You fool. £200 for summat that suck up fluff?
TV ( bought a new Panny) - LG much cheaper
Microwave - Don't buy one. They are crap. Cook in an oven, you have got one of these?
Shed (???) - Choose size then double it !!!
Wardrobes - Harveys
Curtains - You have no choice in these. Let the wife choose and hand over the readies
Blinds - Ditto curtains
Garden furniture - Just get plastic chairs, but big ones. The table is the important bit. Pay extra for a big solid one.

Cheers. CF.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

With your white goods, ao.com are pretty good. Go for the best you can. If you hammer some of the items, we eat washing machines, then get an extended warranty or choose a product with a longer warranty. LG and Samsung washing machines are expensive but are top notch with long warranties. If you have to buy a warranty then look at separate firms, they are usually cheaper.

Whatever you budget, it will cost more. Make your budget and then add 10% for reality.

If you do go to a Currys for a number of items then ask for a bulk discount. Shy bairns get nowt. They can only say no but it is worth asking the question.

 

[ScienceBoy]

Fridge Freezer - Beko
Washer - Hotpoint
Dryer - White Knight
Lawn mower - E bay Qualcast
Vacuum cleaner (bought a dyson) - You fool. £200 for summat that suck up fluff?
TV ( bought a new Panny) - LG much cheaper
Microwave - Don't buy one. They are crap. Cook in an oven, you have got one of these?
Shed (???) - Choose size then double it !!!
Wardrobes - Harveys
Curtains - You have no choice in these. Let the wife choose and hand over the readies
Blinds - Ditto curtains
Garden furniture - Just get plastic chairs, but big ones. The table is the important bit. Pay extra for a big solid one.

Cheers. CF.

:thup: super reply!

I looked at LG but opted for the panny for specific reasons. It had a few features I will use that the LG didn't. HDR game mode being one!

The dyson was genius IMO. It was £150 off and it's also the wife's Xmas present. Hard to fault that as it's actually a decent bit of kit. Same price as the Bosch alternative on the day.

For AO and heart foundation, will defiantly investigate as need quick delivery on the white goods and I always see good stuff in the HF!

Never heard of qualcast lawn mower, will look into that.

Thanks to all so far, really helpful stuff! I will leave some things to the sales and only get the essentials now.

 

[philly169]

I'm looking to "buy to last" more than "buy on a budget" but your advice is sound as I don't want to pay more than I need to. I think for garden furniture I will take your advice as they look used after about two weeks

Looking at my list I don't know where to start with buying a shed and lawn mower.

No idea what to look for in a good fridge freezer or washing machine. I don't think gadgety however, just works and stays working!

You need a shed for your lawnmower, unless you have a garage...http://www.tigersheds.com/ looks pretty reasonable, we've been having a look but ours is more for our rabbits so we can get them out of the garage. Lawnmowers really come down to how big the garden is. Leccy one should be fine, I bought a Bosch Rotak which is pretty good, leaves stripes. 4 years old now and ive only just cut through the wire...

Wardrobes - Recommend Ikea Pax. We have 3.

Its winter, you dont need to worry about garden furniture

 

[tugglesf239]

AO.com are superb.

Mind you i am biased

 

[Deleted member 21258]

As mentioned above ao.com are brilliant, used them for various items(like what are on your list) and never had a problem with them and good prices when we compared.

Even if you wish to return, they are excellent as well. We had to return a fridge/freezer and replace with another one. Can not recommend them enough.

 

[ADB]

As you have mentioned, buy the best you can afford as it will pay over the long term. If you can afford Miele for your appliances I would certainly recommend. Dyson is a good choice, ours is just being replaced after 10 years of faithful service!

 

[chellie]

Check out your local Euronics store. Liebherr for fridge freezer and Miele for washing machine. Would also have said Miele for the vac. Ours is over 20 years old and still sucks like new.

 

[rulefan]

John Lewis is the best for all inside goods and (price promise). W/Machine, Dishwasher etc Bosch, Siemens, AEG, (Miele & Neff are the most pricey), are the best quality.
Microwave, a must have these days - Panasonic.

If you are planning on anything other than an oblong or square lawn, a corded electric will tie you in knots. Best quality cut from a cylinder mower (Qualcast) but rotaries are significantly cheaper. Honda or Briggs & Stratton engine.

Most garden centres have shed outlets and local manufactures are usually cheapest. Check out the build quality at various show sites. Cheap and nasty usually are.

 

[PIng]

:thup: super reply!

The dyson was genius IMO. It was £150 off and it's also the wife's Xmas present. Hard to fault that as it's actually a decent bit of kit. Same price as the Bosch alternative on the day.

.

You bought your wife a vacuum cleaner for Christmas? It wouldn't be a Happy New Year for me if I tried that!

 

[Golfmmad]

Agree with comments re. AOnline, very reasonable prices and returns policy is very good. We ordered a 50/50 fridge freezer and got a 60/40. Bit of confusion ensued but they came and took the wrong one away and delivered the one we needed at no charge whatsoever!

Personally, I wouldn't buy a warranty for any appliance - just an added expense and if all appliances warrantys are added together, well, you do the maths. Find yourself a decent W/machine fridge engineer who does repairs rather than replace machine.

If lawn isn't too large a Flymo is very good, unless of course you want a bowling green or a quality putting surface.

Dunelm Mills supply a good range of ready made curtains at a very competitive price. As for blinds, if your DIY skills are up to it, measure and order online which will save you a fortune. If money isn't a problem, get a company in such as Hillarys Blinds, who are the largest in their field, professional and do a very good job - oh, and I used to work for them!

PS, they now sell and fit carpets too.

Good luck. :thup:

 

[Robster59]

Have a look at http://www.hotukdeals.com/
I use it a lot as people post all sorts of bargains on there.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

For white goods, it is worth payign more for a better machine.

For laundry products, Miele all the way. For refridgeration Liebherr, who also make Miele refridgeration.
Neff is just the built-in only arm of the Siemens group, with Siemens being their flagship range and Bosch your everyday normal range. If you want reasonable quality with a very reasonable price, look at Blomberg. It's the same family as Beko, but the quality and user features are much greater and is designed to go head to head with Bosch and Siemens in Germany, and is doing a good job with the German consumer. They also come with a 3 yr warranty.
Seeing though as you are just starting out, and budget isn't infinite, I would be compromising and look at Blomberg stuff TBH. You will get good value and a better quality unit than anything under Siemens standards, and that especially means Hotpoint/Indeshit stuff.
For a lawnmower, I wouldnt be going near Flymo or anyting of that type, as they only kill the lawn. However whatever type you go for, I would be loooking at the freeads, or Gumtree. Its suprising what people sell off cheaply.

 

[Golfmmad]

For a lawnmower, I wouldnt be going near Flymo or anyting of that type, as they only kill the lawn.

That's a very rash statement!

I've had Flymo's for years, and my lawns have always been fine. and for common or garden use they are very adequate.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

That's a very rash statement!

I've had Flymo's for years, and my lawns have always been fine. and for common or garden use they are very adequate.

Not really. Ultimately a hover type mower drives small particles of grass back into the soil which after not very long will clog and help moss to grow. I agree many have them, and from a distance they appear to do a job but I have seen a flymo turn a gorgeous lawn into a moss pit after 3 years.