How do you decide on big household expenses?

[Lunaballoon]

I’m walking on eggshells at the moment trying to persuade DH that we should invest in double glazing for our draughty old house.

We live in southeast London under a new concentrated flight path to Heathrow airport. The aircraft noise is considerably worse than when we first moved here.

We’ve had some quotes and ok, it’s a huge expense, but frankly I would pay for it myself as the noise and poor state of the windows really bothers me. DH says we could maybe have one bedroom window done, leaving the front of the house with mismatched windows.

It’s the same with any large household expense, he digs his heels in and resists. Our bathroom, for instance, took years to get him to agree it was time for a refurb and even then we had to go with a rock bottom quote, even for London rates.

We’re not short of money, I earn a decent salary and our outgoings are relatively modest so AIBU to want to invest in home improvements? Anyone else in the same boat? Do you have any useful tactics?

If your savings are joint, what would happen if you just booked it in and had it done without his agreement? If it’s your own money you’re using to pay for it I don’t see why his opinion matters?

There's nothing worse than living with a penny pincher.

If you have a decent income I would just go ahead and book in for double glazing. Yes he will probably moan, whine and complain about the cost, but rather that than waiting for his blessing. You live there to, and deserve to be comfortable in your own home.

If your under the new flight path are there not grants available?

It's a no brainer to get new windows in a draughty house under a flight path it just seems a bit strange that you feel like you have to walk on eggshells talking to the DH about it. If really need to sell it to him - there's all the heating costs you'll save plus the increasing the value of your house, increased security.

I’m also inclined to think I should just go ahead and book it, but I’d like him to be fully on board, mainly to share dealing with any problems that might arise.

Knowing him, if anything did go wrong, I’d be in no doubt who was to blame!

Double glazing won’t cancel out as much noise as you think.

For big things, DH and I don’t do it unless we both agree. So I don’t agree with just going ahead without him on board.

Personally, I’d work on a compromise. He’s already agreed to the bedroom window, so counter with how about just front of house so the windows match?
If the windows you picked are that good, he’ll likely agree to do the rest of the house before winter. Some people just can’t envision the benefits and he probably has sticker shock.

@LadyRannaldini I’ll look into grants - good idea! @RezCowgirl Yes, there are so many positives and I agree it’s weird that I’m on eggshells over it. I feel that I have to wait for the right moment to bring it up (when he’s not stressed/annoyed/whatever)

We are just about to get new windows and render to the front of our house, yes it's a huge expense (London prices 🙄 ) however we both agree more than worth it.

Our house is 1930s so not very well insulated, our road has got busier and busier since we have lived here plus as we currently have wooden windows we are regularly paying out for maintenance so it's a no brainier really but luckily we both feel that way.

We also get a lot of extra plane noise since flight paths at City airport changed

You need to invest in your home anyway I think, things like windows are not something you are likely to need to do again however if you don't both feel that way it's hard. Can't see what having one window done would achieve, that seems a very odd thing to suggest!

I’d tell him we’re getting it done as he’s being ridiculous

@UncomfortableSilence Actually, we’re probably affected by the City airport changes too! Planes seem to be overhead every minute or so! I’m regularly woken around 5.30 am at weekends when the big transport planes come roaring over.

City have definitely changed flight paths, we really notice it in the morning, very low and loud.

We know the windows won't block out all noise but it will definitely make a difference so we think it's worth it.

Would it be better to just replace the windows with new?

I agree it’s weird that I’m on eggshells over it. I feel that I have to wait for the right moment to bring it up (when he’s not stressed/annoyed/whatever)

Couldn't live like that I'm afraid. What are his good points? Other than being ridiculously frugal?

We have different approaches to tackling projects in the house.

I’ll decide that something needs to be fixed, replaced or redecorated and just want to get on with it. He’ll put it to the back of his mind until we can’t ignore it any longer.

He’s pretty good at DIY jobs around the house (one of his good points) but if we get anyone in to quote for work, his first response will be “I’m not paying that!” That’s where I feel I have to keep chipping away until he comes on board.

I like your approach flouncy! That’s pretty much what I do, getting quotes and recs lined up. Pinning him down after a couple of could be the way to go

Sames as others, 3 quotes, money already in bank including saving from other cheaper projects (each project is costed out). I'm an accountant and he worries about money so it's all done in a clear way to show the benefits before both agree.

When is your mortgage deal up OP? Perhaps you could remortgage with a bit extra on top for home improvements? It might not even be much extra each month?

Double glazing won’t cancel out as much noise as you think

It blocks out a hell of a lot more than single glazing does.

City moved to concentrated flight paths. Although even though I’m in east London I sometimes actually get woken by the 5.30 massive passenger jets turning over my house to make their approach to Heathrow.

If you are under city flight path and value the 24h break we get at the moment over the weekend... respond to the consultation and sign the petition.

www.hacaneast.org.uk/news

When is your mortgage deal up OP? Perhaps you could remortgage with a bit extra on top for home improvements? It might not even be much extra each month?

Best not to do that as you pay interest on that borrowing for the rest of the mortgage term so adds up to quite a lot extra.

Signed the Hacan petition BlueSkies. Reading the campaign links has reinforced my thinking about double glazing.

There’s currently barely any difference between having our single glazed windows open or closed. It really is a no-brainer!

Just present it as a done deal.

"Dh, here are three companies with good reviews and their quotes. I'm booking on Friday so if you have any preferences over which provider, just let me know before then"