Doable on 10k?

[jalexander]

We are FTB and have had an offer accepted on a three bed terrace.

We have a 10k budget but could go to 12k maximum.

This will need to include if possible:

Removal Costs. A company near me offers a van and two men for the day for under £500.

We currently Rent so will probably need a months overlap when we move which is £750.

A new kitchen. No idea of the costs but my DH will install it himself so won't need to include fitting and it's not a massive kitchen anyway. Will also need new flooring for kitchen diner but will likely chose laminate fitted by DH.

Replace the carpets throughout. I will keep budget in mind when selecting a carpet but will need this fitted too.

New bathroom floor. Likely vinyl. Area to cover is tiny so shouldn't be much and new taps for bath and sink.

Will need painting but paint isn't a large expense and I'll paint myself.

Anything I've left out in regards to moving costs?

I know there's likely other things I can account for like maybe new lights, curtains, plug sockets, etc.

I know we have to pay our mortgage advisor and solicitor which will total roughly about 2k all together.

Is this doable on my budget?

@pumpkinpie01 That was what attracted me to start with! All that lovely greenery out the front. We have a three month old and currently live on a busy main road so it just seemed like a perfect place for a growing little one! Somewhere he can run around to his hearts content!

It does appear to be in very condition. The current owners are an elderly couple and they've kept it really immaculate in regards to condition and cleanliness. The walls are in great condition.

It just needs updating a bit and doing to my taste.

@Fishforclues Hmm yes thats true.
I hadn't thought about hat!
None of thats is really my area.

Painting is the limit of my DIY skills. I just tell DH how I want it to look and he tells me if he can make it happen or not.

Are they solid wood door on the kitchen cabinets? You could sell them if so....

@titchy Oh. I have no idea!

I was just going to dump them.

@Morgan12 That's good to know! 3.5k was how much I was hoping for roughly! We will probably go to B n Q.

Just seen your link. House looks fab and very doable. Congrats!

Perfect home for a little one you will have it lovely ! Our kitchen is a bit smaller and we paid £3k from Homebase a few years ago. You are so lucky your DH is a handyman mine has not got a clue. Are you able to have someone to have the baby while you have a real blast on it for days at a time? I love painting but Im the other end of the country Im afraid or I would love to help x

That kitchen looks in pretty good nick. If the cabinets are sound, just replace the doors. It would look totally different with some smart tiles.
If you scour eBay you can get second hand kitchens- we got a lovely pine one for £15 - also bathrooms, we got a villeroy and boch bath for £1 and matching back to wall loo for £25, plus a Triton shower for £12.50.

For the kitchen, check out the price of new doors, end panels and trim.

Painting, a few tips.
Do all the glosswork first. Emulsion, ceiling first, 2 coats = 1 day as it makes your arms ache, practise for tools, I like a 7 inch roller on a long handle as it's not as heavy loaded as a 9 inch and I find it easier than being up a stepladder.

Keep edging brushes and roller wrapped tightly in plastic bags if you need to re-use the next day, saves washing them.

Walls, I edge quite thickly so it only needs doing once, then roller. The slower you roller, the less splatter you get.

Keep a clean damp cloth nearby at all times so if you do splash or smudge it will come straight off.

Plastic sheeting stops paint on carpets but it moves (low tac masking tape to skirtings) and I never feel steady on steps placed on it. Cloth decorators sheeting lets paint through.

Check the soles of your shoes before you go out of the room or you could 'walk' paint marks into other carpets.

That kitchen is pretty large - it'll likely be a lot more expensive than you'd like to refurb, particularly if you redo the tile walls, and could easily eat your budget completely.

It looks in a decent state from the pic (apart from the unfortunate corner!). You could get away with replacing the doors, or just painting the existing ones? That'll free up a lot of cash.

Ikea is cheaper and better quality than b & q, diy kitchens are great quality and well priced, usually cheaper than wren or wickes. Howden may be cheaper than diy kitchens, if you know someone who can get you a good discount.

I think with shopping around you can do it for your budget, please post pics when done and good luck.

OP it absolutely is doable. We had a similar budget for our three bed semi. An awful lot still needs to be done but it's our home and we love living here and that's the important thing. As long as you are realistic and know you are not going to have the swankiest kitchen then you will be fine. Congratulations on your new home.

If that was my kitchen I would just paint the kitchen cupboards and put new handles on. They look perfectly serviceable.

Thank you so much everyone for all your helpful tips and advice! Xx