House set up costs

[putitdown356]

Im moving into a new house in a few weeks and trying to organise my finances so that I don't have to keep taking money out of savings account due to limited withdrawal allowances.

How much do you think I need to furnish a small 3 bed house using high street and FB marketplace? Fridge and dishwasher are included and I have one bed frame, a saucepan set, one pair of curtains and 4 towels.

How long is a piece of string. As much or little as you want.

Are you painting or anything like that or just furniture?

I’d do a little spreadsheet of what you think you’ll need and put numbers in even if guessed

are u happy with everything second hand or are there some things (eg mattresses) you want new? That will help you work out.

Are you fussy on lighting, and rugs/pictures etc or just furnishing at a basic level?

Ie - depends on what u count as furnishing - as well as what quality you’re happy with.

i started with the basics and added to it over time.

We managed our first house on £2k in 2017, used Ikea and FB marketplace. Replaced bits over years with nicer items.

That's just furniture, didn't need to do floorings or paint. Already had plates, cutlery, saucepans, blender, slow cooker. Oven in house was fine and didn't need replaced. Same for washing machine. Made do without dishwasher or tumble dryer for first few years, also didn't get garden furniture or rugs. Actually think we also waited ages before getting nice curtains. We were skint!

You can get some really good things on marketplace even if they are just for now things. My DSs friend kitted out his house from marketplace and paid very little for most things.

Also see if your area has Facebook free pages. We have a terrific one and I've given things away and been given things. People sometimes even ask for things on there.

We all start somewhere. My DF got my first dining table out of a skip!

Depends how much money you have and how big your rooms are. Have you not got an oven? Do you need plates, microwave etc? I'd make a spreadsheet and then use Argos to get generic prices and then see what from that you can live without or find in marketplace

@Hedgehogsunderthebed no painting. A spreadsheet is a good idea. Im happy with second hand, but would like a new mattress.

@Greydayworries I think thats what ill end up doing, replace bits as needed in future. I hadn't even thought about garden furniture! Definitely not a priority though.

You're asking the wrong question.

Instead of asking "how much is it" ask "how much do I want to spend" and stick to that budget.

Surely it depends on how many of you there are? If it's just you then you don't need to furnish all the bedrooms to start with. If it's you, a partner and 4 children then you're going to need at least 5 beds, cheers of drawers and wardrobes for 5 people etc.

@user1471538283 yes ive been surprised at the amount of really nice stuff on market place. @Pandasnacks rooms are on the small side, ive put aside £1000.00 so I can hopefully get a sofa and mattress plus cutlery and crockery for that amount.

Ive been to Dunelm but will look at Argos as hadn't considered them.

@DilemmaDelilah its only myself so much easier to go without if needed .

Hand-me-downs from relatives, charity shops, Freecycle.
Do you have access to a van or a large car? - that will be an immense help.

How many people are moving in now? Do you need beds in all 3 rooms now?

And ask for household things, or cash, for Christmas.

When I’ve moved the unexpected costs have been curtain rails, curtains, light fittings, toilet roll holder, towel holder etc. depends on what gets left! (I had one where the sellers took everything except a lightbulb in each room).

Maybe have a look round where you live now at all the little things you don’t normally notice, when you’re doing your spreadsheet.

With marketplace make sure you factor in the cost of collecting it if it won’t fit in a car or you don’t have a car.

@senua only a small car, ive noticed some market place ads say drop off for an extra cost so thats a possibility.

If there's a BHF home store near you there's always worth a mooch

Dunelm and the range are so good. As are Supermarkets for homewares

Make the most of Black Friday offers

@NorthWestWoes yes I made a list and it just seems to be endless! I guess as long as I have something to sit on and sleep on thats a start.

Do you have a local auction house? Decent furniture often goes for next to nothing at the one I go to, but you do need to factor in a man with a van unless you have access to a van.

Auctions are also often great for crockery, glassware etc, I've often seen four boxes knocked down for £10 or so. Also curtains, rugs, lamps/light fittings - you name it! Some also sell white goods, but they tend not to be tested or guaranteed working.

Do you need to buy any appliances? If not you'll need around £200 if all from fb marketplace/gumtree/charity shops. 4x that for Ikea

Going absolutely basic, you need:

Crockery, cutlery, cooking utensils, tea towels
Mattress
Bedding incl duvet
One more pair curtains, 2 curtain rails
Table, 2 chairs
Sofa or armchair
Drill and basic tool set
Cooker or hob & air fryer
Microwave
Washing machine

I'd suggest getting the first six items from Ikea - delivery's £40. Buy cheap because you will be replacing them as you move forwards, but everything from Ikea will last a good five years.

You could order some storage from there to be delivered at the same time, if you've got an idea of what you'll need to begin with. (My flat's fully lined with Billy bookcases and Malm drawers!) You might also want to get a rug or something.

The other things you can buy second-hand or from Ebay, Argos, etc.

Move an amount from your savings to an easy access account for the stuff you will realise you need (coat hangers, bottle/can opener, cushions, hooks, all sorts of things) and a TV if you watch it, your internet service, more things depending on your lifestyle. I'd say £1k but everyone's budgets and needs are different.

Have fun! Happy new home!

You really need to make a list of the basics you’ll need and build up from there. Black Friday and Xmas might help if you don’t mind getting household items for Xmas!
a reasonably decent mattress is probably going to set you back at least £500.
you’ll also need a duvet, pillows, mattress cover and 2 sets of bedding (wash one use one).

kitchen I’d start with:
4 x mugs, bowls, small plates, dinner plates and glasses (any less and you’ll never be able to use the dishwasher!)
a couple of saucepans with lids and a large frying pan or wok.
A couple of baking trays or oven proof dishes
a chopping board and sharp knife, veg peeler, corkscrew and tin opener.
a wooden spoon and some serving utensils
tea towels and reusable dishcloths

supermarkets are good for kitchen items or ikea

don’t buy any furniture without measuring your rooms carefully!!

@maximist thank you thats a great idea about auction houses, I have never considered this but if I could get a lot of things it would make paying for transport worth it.