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Original poster

How do people afford house repairs?

95 replies

Swampmonster1988 · 03/10/2022 00:44

My panic about house repairs are mounting. I just can't afford them.

My house needs:
A new carpet
A new fence
Leading on extension roof joints
A new gate
A new washing machine
Whole house needs painting

Longer term (maybe 5 years away):
A new kitchen
A new bathroom
Windows replacing

I live alone on 30k per year. Still have morgage for the next 10 years so I just can't afford this. I know I could get a loan for some of it but I'm really worried I just can't afford it.

OP posts:
Afterfire · 03/10/2022 07:41

For the washing machine look at AO, we have a finance account with them and you can get a new washing machine for very little per month - I think we pay about £9 for ours but obviously it depends which model you choose.

LucyFox · 03/10/2022 07:48

To start with, look at repairing the washing machine- should be cheaper than buying a new one! However on £30K you should be able to save enough for things like a washing machine … I would suggest you need help budgeting - why not head to moneysavingexpert forums and start looking at them helping to sort a realistic budget? I earn less than £30K & live alone but a new washing machine would not cause me an issue as I do budget for such things …

BBBBMushroom · 03/10/2022 07:53

We needed new carpet in the sitting room, it was really worn and then actually tore. I bought a rug for £50 that covered most of the floor and got creative with furniture.

People will even rent a box room, my brother in law and a friend have both needed to rent a room midweek only and returned home at weekends. Something like that means some extra money plus you still get your home all peaceful probably three nights a week. It could just be for a few months, maybe someone on a temp contract or placement. Another friend rents rooms to overseas students.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Home improvement
UnderCoverFieldAgent · 03/10/2022 07:53

To me, only one seems urgent and that’s the washing machine. You can get them for under £100 on FB marketplace. I don’t know how urgent the leading on the extension roof joints is and what effect that would cause but have you tried either the ‘Next Door’ app for recommendations or Check a trade?

wheresmymojo · 03/10/2022 07:56

I do a lot myself.

DH isn't remotely interested in DIY, so I learn from YouTube videos.

Wickes paint is fairly cheap and if you do it properly (with filling and sanding) a new coat of paint does wonders.

Also if you're DIY a lot you can do bit by bit...Can't afford all the paint for a room in one go? Then buy one tin and do two walls.

Next month get the second tin and finish it.

I'm just about to start building a full wall media unit with electric fireplace and shelves built in - all learned from YouTube and to be done bit by bit

Also agree with second hand stuff!

Got an amazing huge rug for £45 that would probably have been £200 new!

Kerberos · 03/10/2022 07:58

Everyone who owns a house has a list of things they need to do, and want to do. It's a never-ending maintenance cycle.

If funds are limited, you need to prioritise jobs to be done and only those which are essential or would be costly if left (like the roof repairs).

You can also save a fortune if you can repair things yourself. If you don't have the skills, YouTube has a lot of video walkthroughs, or if confidence is a problem then can you think of a friend who'd be willing to help you learn.

For the washing machine - why do you need a new one? Tell us what's wrong with the old one and I reckon someone on here will be able to work out what needs replacing.

And get a budget. It's life changing. Look up YNAB. It's free for a month and will help you to choose where your money is going and what you can afford for house repairs.

confused162 · 03/10/2022 08:04

Painting I do myself, if your bathroom looks scruffy can you re do the sealant? Makes a massive difference. Replace the bath panel? You tube videos are really useful. My bathroom sink tap had no water coming out when you turned it on , I googled and borrowed tools from neighbour and fixed myself.

confused162 · 03/10/2022 08:05

Amazon has some amazing gel you paint on mouldy sealant and leave and removes mould. My bathroom looked awful but I did this 3 times and it made a huge difference.

stealthninjamum · 03/10/2022 08:08

Op I agree with others that probably the washing machine is most urgent. You say the spare room is small - well most carpet showrooms will sell you an off cut of carpet from the end of the roll so if you wanted a lodger you replace the carpet at a cheaper price - although obviously if you needed underlay that would add to it.

I agree that a lodger would help, I doubt if they would really put your heating and gas prices up more than they’re giving you and even just an extra £200 a month would soon pay for rooms to be carpeted / paint etc.

in terms of needing a new kitchen my utility room was looking scruffy / old fashioned about ten years ago. The units were basically good quality so as a ‘temporary’ fix I got a handyman to get new doors from b and q. Ten years later I haven’t replaced the doors and the room still looks good. The worktop is a bit scruffy but you would never guess the carcassses of the units are probably as old as the house - 30 years old.

Mumteedum · 03/10/2022 08:08

I often feel overwhelmed by house stuff. Someone said to me a while ago " how do you eat an elephant? In bitesize chunks". It helps to remember that. And feel positive when you tick off something small .

What has also helped, mentally rather than practically is realising that having one income and not two as a homeowner, is really really hard. I have a good salary (maybe not for Mumsnet but 40k ish) in theory but still won't be as well off as a couple both on a lower wage than me.

And lastly, I have taken the plunge and started getting some things done which has made me feel better.

Get a washing machine. They're not expensive. 0% credit card and pay it off strictly. I did this with my sofa.

coodawoodashooda · 03/10/2022 08:08

Rutland2022 · 03/10/2022 00:57

You have 3 options - save, borrow or ignore it.

We have, historically, borrowed. But with the current circumstances we can’t. We will need a new roof in 15 years (thatch). I’m ignoring it.

We needed new kitchen and windows so borrowed on the mortgage for those (£40k as it’s an old house and needs specific wooden windows etc), but there’s no room to borrow more now. So anything else will be left until circumstances improve. For us that will come when we no longer pay childcare .

For some things in your list though you can improvise. Washing machine can be 2nd hand, carpets can be cheap. Painting you can do gradually as you can find the cash.

It is false economy to leave maintenance but the reality is, it often has to be.

Yeah. I'm ignoring the soft furnishings.

AntlerRose · 03/10/2022 08:09

You have to prioritise structural things that if they arent done, the house would start to be damaged.
And you have to look at what can be repaired.

But yes it is a worry and the downside of ownership.

FiveMins · 03/10/2022 08:12

I painted the kitchen cupboards took hours but cost about £60. Looks so much better.
Our second hand washing machine is still going 7 years later.
If you can buy it on a credit card and pay back asap as cheaper than going to the launderette.
Is the roof leaking? That is urgent and will cost far more to sort than the repair. Make sure you get three quotes
Start getting good at DIY. So many videos on YouTube. Save yourself 1000s.

lannistunut · 03/10/2022 08:13

many lodgers just need a room for Mon-Thurs night and go home for the weekends. You could be very fussy about who you take and what you charge, but any additional income is going to help.

You can have only women, only part-time, only short-term - whatever you want.

DinosApple · 03/10/2022 08:16

Prioritise, save up, second hand and DIY is how we do it.

Prioritise structural repairs first. That will save money long term.

Second hand washing machine. Replace individual fence panels unless the whole lot has had it.

Decoration and new carpets are lowest on the list. Get good at DIY.

Re kitchen, bathroom etc. If it functions it's fine. But save a little a month towards replacing them. Then when the time comes shop around.

Windows - individual units can be replaced so you don't have to fork out for the whole lot at once. Especially if they are leaking or have blown.

JenniferAllisonPhillipaSue · 03/10/2022 08:17

We just don't do things until we can either afford them or something breaks! We've finally replaced the main fence this year, and DP helped us to replace the combo boiler (we had half the money saved). Our white goods are now eight years old, and the kitchen and bathroom have barely been touched in that time (cupboards straightened and cleaned!)

RomeoOscarXrayIndigoEcho · 03/10/2022 08:18

Could you get a second job?

Move yourself into the small room so that you can rent out the bigger room and make sure the rent covers increased energy use.

Make do and mend for some of the jobs.

Save up for the others.

Look online - sometimes people sell whole kitchens when they upgrade.

It doesn't all have to be done at once.

You have the mortgage for another 10 years. How old are you?

Could you take a payment holiday (get full and proper advice) and use that money for one of the jobs?

Lopilo · 03/10/2022 08:23

Kitchens get to the point when they need doing up but then they don’t really get worse. Or at least ours has been like that for the last 20yrs. We are finally going to get it done but I am amazed how long it’s clung on, especially as it was a pretty low grade kitchen to start with.

greenacrylicpaint · 03/10/2022 08:24

regarding fence
unless it's in the covenants or you have to contain a pet you don't need to have one.

a simple chicken wire affair would be ok for most dogs.

ATwirlADay · 03/10/2022 08:33

MrsDThomas · 03/10/2022 07:33

sur you can paint the house yourself?

that is an easy job to do saving you a lot of money.

Yes, I'm not remotely handy, but painting is a job I would usually do myself.

mrsm43s · 03/10/2022 08:33

Only the leading on the extension and the washing machine seem like essentials that need doing.

The rest is cosmetic or upgrades. Some of it can be done pretty cheaply - repainting a room for example -and you can work your way around the house doing that. Some of it is pretty expensive -new kitchen/bathroom/windows etc and you probably have to accept that you don't have the budget to upgrade, so live with the older versions, and simply repair any actual broken bits that affect functionality. Fencing and gates can usually be patched and repaired, rather than replaced.

Most people don't like in showhomes!

Lifeisaminestrone · 03/10/2022 08:36

I would be very wary buying anything electrical second hand. I know a house fire that have started due to this.

Anything else I would buy second hand - including carpets - you can normally get very reasonable remnants.

House maintenance is not cheap though.

WaddleAway · 03/10/2022 08:37

We don’t. Our kitchen is 30 years old and falling to bits, our shower doesn’t work and our carpets have been in for 20 years but we can’t afford to do anything about it so it stays how it is.
Maybe when the children have left home (currently 9, 7 and 4!).

WaddleAway · 03/10/2022 08:38

Oh and our boiler is also 30 years old so will need replacing soon. It’ll have to go on credit.

PauliesWalnuts · 03/10/2022 08:39

Feel your pain here - in the same position. How old are you? Is it worth putting some on your mortgage the next time you need to remortgage? (Interest rates permitting obviously). I did this to have built in bookcases and LVT flooring downstairs. I’ll have a bit of leeway come January as I’ll have finished paying for my car and I intend to keep driving it until it’s last journey is to the scrapyard but it’s still tight. It’s the council tax that cripples me - my house is a small cottage but it’s in a conservation area and is a band E, which for me, even with the single person discount, is £195 per month. Annoying when a four bed more expensive than my 3 bed 250m away (not in the CV) is a bloody band C.

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