No slide and hide oven new build?!!

[Tinnie88]

We are buying a new build property from a small independent builder. Hoping to complete Friday. However when we looked around the house at the weekend I noticed that the top oven (two ovens stacked) has a normal door not a hide and slide as I anticipated.

This will be awkward/dangerous to use as I'm only 5'4 and will struggle to reach in without burning my arms...are there any rules/regs regarding this issue?! Or is it something that is just personal preference??

I wondered why they sell oven gloves that prevent arm burns ( never done it) but this must be why. There won't be regs about this, any more than they would have to adapt it if you were a wheelchair user.

A new build will be fitted out as cheaply as possible. Presumably you haven't exchanged yet, but what was on the approved spec?

I might be wrong but I think only one brand make slide and hide, so unless specified that this will be included I would not expect them to install one as they are more expensive. If you have not exchanged / completed yet it might be worth offering to pay the difference to have one installed before you move in

I've done a bit of research and yes looks like only Neff do hide and slide and the ovens in the new house are Bosch. Never mind there's only two of us so I'll use the lower over for 90% of cooking anyway and will just have to invest in some of those extreme full length oven gloves 😂

For your safety you shouldn't have an oven that requires you to lift above your shoulder height to lift things in and out - might be wise to point out that the set up might be dangerous for you and ask if they will be able to lower it ?! You might find that they will be more than happy to do this to keep you safe ! ( I do hope they will !)

It's not above shoulder height it's about at shoulder height if that makes sense? My arms would be straight out in front of me but so is the open door, hence the issue! I'll raise it with them but I'm not hopeful. We've got the house for a good price due to it being a one man band type builder. But likewise the level of service hasn't been that of a normal house builder!

I wouldn't have expected that at all, I don't think it's a standard type fitting.

They might be able to lower both of them for you and put another unit on top.

You can probably ask for it to be moved. Or have another type installed. But it's not a standard fitting by any means, I would expect it to be extra.

The other option is to get the oven changed for one with a side hinged door. It might take some detective work to find one but a few manufacturers do them. Is the top oven a compact one? Stacked ovens set too high is a common issue.