How much to estimate for bills?

[SkyeIsMyHero]

DP are in the process of buying a 2 bed flat, this will be our first place.

We have checked how much council tax will be.

How much do you think utilities will be roughly per month?

For context I would probably be working from home 2 or 3 days a week. We would probably use the tumble dryer for 4 or 5 loads a week during the colder months.

It will be us and DD who is 3.

TIA

What sort of flat?

The difference between a well insulated purpose built new build with modern heating and a drafty Victorian conversion or one with inefficient electric heating could be significant. There will be the energy performance information in the listing and this may give an indication, but obviously it will vary by how much you have the heating on. People's idea of what heating is needed varies enormously.

For water look on the water company website, you can often fill in details about your laundry, showering etc habits and it will give an estimate.

For broadband if you use it, look for deals on Moneysupermarket.

2-3 people in a 2-3 bed house is what of OFGEM utilities proce cap is based on. You should be under that with a 2bed house, but your tumble drier usage sounds quite higher to me. So maybe £200 a month between the gas and electricity. An old Victorian conversion could be more. A modern purpose build less.

Water: look up typical vaues for your area - some areas are MUCH more expensive than others.

Broadband, TV licience, TV packages, phone - mobiles, and maybe landlines, insurance

3/4 of our joint income is bills OP. Might be best to look at it that way.

2 adults and 2 children in a 3 bed victorian semi.

We are very conservative with heating/electricity.

I WFH 4 days a week.

I include food, broadband, netflix, mobile contracts and loan repayments under bills along with rent/mortgage/electricity/water/council tax ect

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/budget-planning/

You may find the Moneysaving Expert budget planner useful for a complete list of things you might need to account for.

An important point is to save for annual and irregular expenses, which can add up to a significant amount (eg insurance, car costs, Christmas, holidays, white goods replacement, boiler service). Make sure you put money by for these things so they don't take you by surprise when they need money spending on them.

Purpose built flat or conversion? How old/recent? What sort of windows? Heating? Type of flooring?

Do you like your home warm - 21 degrees? Or cool - 17 degrees? Do you normally leave heating on overnight?

The flat is probably 1960's maybe 1970's, purpose build. It has central heating and double glazed windows, it's carpeted throughout. Heating would only be used in the mornings and evenings I would say, I would say in the middle around 19 degrees. Heating wouldn't be left on overnight. I couldn't find the rating for the property. I have the brochure somewhere so I'll check that later.