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If you were building a new house, what would you put in it? Please recommend anything from boilers to lights to appliances.

162 replies

Apatite1 · 28/03/2015 13:47

The title says it all. Looks like we are building from scratch. House will be about 2500 sq ft. I now need to make a zillion decisions.

If anyone can recommend anything from their insulation to their furniture, I'm all ears.

In particular, we really need guidance on:

Underfloor heating
Engineered wood flooring
Carpets
Ventilation systems
Lighting plans
Joinery for dressing room and library
Stair makers
Kitchen companies and fitters
Bathroom companies and fitters
Landscapers
Paint
Granite suppliers
Tiles
Aluminium window suppliers
Sliding door suppliers
Burglar alarm systems
Fire alarms

Really, any tips are very welcome. There are so many companies, I've no clue who is good and who isn't. I don't mind expensive services, as long they are worth it, we will try to budget them in.

Thank you all!

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TakeMeUpNorthMountain · 04/04/2015 12:55

Lovefloors for floorboards. We got ours at Builder's Depot. Get ones that are the "click-click" system (not technical term Grin) so you do not get gaps/cracks once placed over the underfloor heating.

Yes to USB in kitchen, we love ours.

Vaillant boiler.

The Alternative Bathroom Company are good.

Let me know if you're west/north west London and I can recommend some great suppliers esp tile shop, kitchen place.

Keep a close eye on your budget.

Have fun!

Apatite1 · 04/04/2015 20:16

Thanks TakeMe, I'm in southwest london but any recommendations welcome, I'm in fulham so it's not too far to NW (was in Hampstead today in fact!)

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IloveCheese11 · 05/04/2015 02:41

I went past the Alternative Bathroom Company a few days ago and it looked like they were refitting part of it so you might get some ex displays if you're quick.

Who would you recommend for tiles and kitchens TakeMeUpNorthMountain?

We have these usb plugs sockets in our bedroom. www.screwfix.com/p/lap-13a-2-gang-sp-switched-socket-usb-charger-brushed-steel/18294

OnePlanOnHouzz · 05/04/2015 08:21

It's good to get all your design ideas out on the table before you start - as if you and you partner have different ideas - you need to work out a compromise or a fusion of both ie one likes eclectic look and one likes minimal you could have a floor each ? Or compromise on industrial style overall instead ...
Often it's good to get a third person onboard - a friend with great taste or a paid designer if you can stretch to it ... If you plan ahead you can save money by keeping the build on track and running smoothly - so work everything out on paper or CAD first !
Above all have fun ! Think of extra things like where will I plug in the Christmas lights or think about an outdoor kitchen if you entertain a lot
Where does the sun come up - do you want to wake up with the sun or want it in the kitchen at breakfast time and in a cosy nook of the lounge an evening ?

Fluffycloudland77 · 05/04/2015 09:06

I can see you've got a good budget but think about energy saving because energy/water prices are going to rise over the years and being se you'll get hit first.

So, plumb the dishwasher (miele?) into the hot water supply because they only use 6-9 ltrs for most loads and gas is a cheaper way to heat water than electric. The washing machine can stay on cold, they use more cold than a dw would.

Grey water recycling system? It recycles water from the washing machine, dw, bath/shower etc to flush the loo.

If I was self building I'd want brick walls upstairs and insulation inbetween floors.

15mm thick underlay in carpeted areas, it's warm & quiet. Noisy houses grate on you after a while.

Draught proof, it's really basic stuff but silicone sealing inbetween the floor and skirting & the electric sockets boxes reduces the draughts which keeps you comfortable. You want ventilation where you want it, not where you don't.

Ask if the builders can insulate the pipes feeding the radiators, otherwise heat goes into dead spaces.

Hydronic plinth heaters, they blow air out but use the heat off the CH pipes and only cost 25watts to run. We have one in the kitchen and one in the bottom of the stairs.

Buy the most powerful kitchen hood you can find, you don't want kitchen smells spreading throughout the house.

My cousin in laws house has bathroom extractor fans that run 24/7 but are silent.

I'd love a wine fridge!.

Yy to water softener & quooker tap.

Triple glazed windows are a must, not only do they have a similar "U" value to a wall they are also quieter. What's not to like?.

There's an app called issu, it has loads of magazines on there. Usually a month behind but it's better than paying for them.

Fluffycloudland77 · 05/04/2015 09:11

I forgot, tv in the bathroom & carpets with 20% nylon, not polypropylene.

Fluffycloudland77 · 05/04/2015 09:21

And an induction hob, easy to clean and really efficient. Their much more controllable than gas too. You need stainless steel pans but I got a £400 set of Stellar pans in tk Maxx for £100.

Plus pets can't get burnt on it (main reason for mine was that the cat wouldn't burn his paws on it, didn't tell Dh that) and it switches off when things over boil. You can get ones that take a wok if you like stir frying.

Mines only zanussi, the miele ones must be amazing.

Did you know miele have a factory outlet in Abingdon?. It's mostly ex display with signs of use but for integrated things that doesn't matter & it's not actually damaged.

Apatite1 · 05/04/2015 20:18

ILove, Fluffy and OneHouzz

Thank you so much for your great tips!

Fluffy, I'm getting an induction hob for sure. Meile or gaggenau, not sure yet. I'll look out for pans in tk maxx. I'd secretly love a tv in the ensuite to stare at whilst I have a bath but they seem rather expensive for what they are so I'll forgo that one.

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 06/04/2015 08:00

Ebay do new bathroom tvs, Dh has vetoed it on the grounds that "it's a semi in X town not a mansion" Sad.

He's right but I really want one.

Apatite1 · 07/04/2015 12:08

Thanks all we found our builders. All kicking off very soon!

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IloveCheese11 · 07/04/2015 12:42

Exciting Apatite. I'd love to see some photos as you progress. like a Mumsner Grand designs without all the pontificating by Kevin McCloud.

Also, Miele have an outlet with really good reductions!! Maybe everyone else knew this and I'm late to the party?
www.miele.co.uk/downloads/pdfs/MieleOutletFrequentlyAskedQuestions.pdf

Apatite1 · 07/04/2015 16:58

Thanks Ilove! I really need the whole thing to be over asap as I found out I'm expecting. I think the open plan downstairs layout will now have to change and we will build a bit bigger to include another bedroom. Smile

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IloveCheese11 · 07/04/2015 22:57

Congratulations! Smile Just as well you found out now before you started. It should all be perfect by the time the baby arrives.

AesopsMables · 07/04/2015 23:48

Fab news Apatite! Congratulations Smile

MrsFlorrick · 08/04/2015 00:11

Grin Congrats!!

You now need storage storage storage.

Can you work in a playroom/family room? That way you will be able to shut the door on the mounds of plastic tat which is about to inhabit your world. Grin

Built in wardrobe space and space in bathroom to hold nappies etc.

What an exciting time for you.

crimsonh · 08/04/2015 00:37

I would consider sliding doors to bedrooms/library. You can save lots of floor area that way.

WellyMummy · 08/04/2015 00:52

Underfloor heating
Lots of USB charging ports on the sockets
Boot room
Upstairs laundry room - really, why do we cart all the washing downstairs when the majority is created upstairs? In the laundry room I would have washer and dryer, space for the ironing board to be 'up' permanently, lots of shelving for clean clothes, really to be a family wardrobe as well as a laundry room.

Can you tell which is my dream for my next home?!

WellyMummy · 08/04/2015 00:53

Hot water tap
Walk-in pantry

WellyMummy · 08/04/2015 00:54

I meant BOILING WATER TAP, in the kitchen!!

Apatite1 · 08/04/2015 10:29

Thanks everyone! I wasn't expecting to get pregnant that quickly, we were only half heartedly trying (mostly because I'm no spring chicken at 36 and someone on MN told me to get cracking!).

The whole downstairs is now no longer going to be open plan, I'm going to carpet the drawing room and put in a playroom. I've downgraded the specs for the whole house, and we are building a bit bigger, thankfully we have the space and our planning permission has been a breeze, mostly because all the houses on our street look different I think. But I'm really glad I've found out now and not halfway into this build.

Wellmummy, I've got an upstairs laundry planned! And now a nursery Grin

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VeryPunny · 08/04/2015 10:40

LED lightning - our units are rated to last 25 years so no more replacing bulbs.

I didn't think triple glazing was worth it for the UK as it doesn't get cold enough to offset the extra cost against energy bills.

WhatKatyDidnt · 08/04/2015 14:00

It wouldn't be a true Grand Design without a pregnancy Grin Congrats.

Khalinda · 08/04/2015 15:36

Triple glazing. Not much more expensive than double but makes such a difference. Our patio doors (triple glazed) have the same heat as our internal walls.

Fluffycloudland77 · 08/04/2015 16:22

Congratulations!

VeryPunny, it's not heat saving but comfort. We have a newbuild with dg but if I go near the window at night I can feel the coldness coming off it. You don't want cool spots in a house, it's less comfortable.

The noise reduction swings it for me though.

namechange2468 · 08/04/2015 16:25

Congratulations!

I think someone mentioned an outside hot water tap ealier - very useful.

A big warming tray (for plates) in the kitchen - some double up as slow cookers, I think.

Other than that, if there's something you can't afford at the time, don't rush into a cheaper option - bide your time and get it in a couple of years (unless something vital, obviously!)

Also, don't accept less-than-perfect work from tradesmen - I wish I had spoken up over several items, but part of me didn't dare, and part of me just wanted it to be finished. Now I have off-centre lights, basins that don't drain properly, floors that don't quite go under the skirting etc etc. Grr!

I'll try to think of more positive things!