Our first house

[HaveAGoodDay]

So we'll be moving into our first house in around 6 weeks. There's some work that needs to be done before we go in, plastering, carpeting, installing a bath and general decoarating, all of which will be eating into our budget.

Along with the carpeting and purchasing of appliances, how do I go about in finding the bargains?! The wow factors?! You know how some people manage to get a washer for £90 or a carpet for the stairs, landing and one bedroom for £150? And they it doesn't look like an old pub carpet?

Obviously I'm not expecting the rolls royce of things but I want my home to look nice, just don't want to overspend where I don't have to!

EBay! Look at the stuff that's collection only which reduces the price a lot often. Check out MoneySavingExpert forums for advice. Also ask friends to keep an eye out for closing down sales.

Also see if there's any of those charity furniture warehouses nearby. Some of them deliver.

I don't think I'd buy secondhand electrical stuff though unless it was tested. But I'm not fussy about other stuff.

Gumtree can be a good resource too. I'm currently eyeing up corner sofas for our new place.

For carpets get all your measurements and go into various carpet shops and ask if they have any remnants that would fit the size you need. It's unlikely that they will have something that would be your first choice but you never know. We ended up getting a great deal on our stairs and landing. The assistant saw the style of carpet we were looking at and said they had something similar that was heavily reduced as it was the last of a roll.

Good luck with everything!

For carpets have you got a Carpets4 less place near you? They do they end of ranges and offcuts from the major high street suppliers. And find a local carpet fitter- cheaper than usinh a shop's one and a well fitted carpet will look more expensive.

Shop in the clearance section of diy stores for neutral coloured paint.

Blinds from ikea are very good value and can be cut to fit the window recess with a decent saw.

If you're replastering consider getting new skirting at the same time- gives and nice finish and easier than sanding and repainting scappy old skirting.

Learn to make curtains or get some ikea ones and take them up. Or if you have an outlet village near you try Choice (Next homeware) or Laura Ashlet clearance stores for lovely end of range curtains. (Dunelm Mill do some nice lined ready mades as well).

Ebay is great for furniture. We got a lovely new oak table for about 15 pc of its original price and a solid oakcoffee table for 30 quid.