Owning your own home

I'm in Bristol. As far as I'm aware, everybody just ignores the smoke laws here.... Along with most other laws.

Depends how long you're going to live there. If it's your family home so 10+ yrs then go for it, otherwise I'd buy a different toy. There may be a different fashion by the time you sell the place...

Two agents valuing my flat next week.
There's no turning back now...

I installed a multifuel stove in my (boat) home. I saved by doing the installation work myself but the (twin wall) flue cost more than the stove itself!

Depending on the size of the room you're trying to heat, you can get 5-6kw burners for around £500. But if you're looking for something with a modern design then expect to pay for it. Second hand stoves are often a lot cheaper too.

Multifuel stoves can be very efficient (up to about 85%) so it's worth considering the cost saving on your heating bills as well as the added value to the house (if any). Plus you get to have a fire which is always cool.

Get a few quotes obvs, but bear in mind the flu going through the bedroom may need to be boxed in due to fire/HETAS regs so that may add cost but if the chap you have coming in knows his stuff I'm sure he'll keep you right. I'd love a wood burner myself!

Thanks for the info. The cost of the double wall flue is what i'm most worried about, as we'd need it pretty much all the way up to the roof!

This is my dilemma. It's just me and my GF and a small hound at the mo, and can't see us staying for more than 5 years (i want a garage with associated toys)..... which is why i'm always thinking about value added to the house with any big spend.

Yep, we have been told it will need boxing in in the bedroom. The bedroom is due a major re-decoration soon, so obviously want to do any major works like this first!

Everything is in, can finally sign exchange documents

Will it add anywhere near this kind of value to the house? Just seems difficult to justify spending that kind of money on something that may add no value

Does it need to add value if its something you want? Personally, buy it if you want it, not if someone in the future might want it.

welcome to bromley!

We installed a woodburner, cost around 5k.

Worth every penny in my view- I really look forward to lighting the fire on a cold evening.

Also, your dog would love it.

5% to the value of your home.

A new Kitchen typically adds 5.8%

Typical kitchen cost, £8,000 and Dammit paid £5k for his wood burner so you could use that cost to base your ROI on.

I imagine it's close-ish because the fire will save you some money on heating.

Can you factor in feels into the value?

^ Yeah lots of good feels worth £££

Wood burning stoves are the nuts. Do it Rob.

Could your flue not go out through a wall?

How?? Did you pay a premium for one that weighed exceedingly little?

Even with Brighton tax the most we're looking at is about 3k including installing, certification and a pile of Ash logs. We reckon we can do it at about 1.5k by cutting corners but still have something decent.

Definitely worth it for us both in terms of actual energy returns and feels.

My parents have a great one which does hot water and heating when it's on. I think it's a Coalbrookdale, and they only seem to be about £100 on Ebay.

^^I paid a builder to knock down the old wall and build a new hearth for the burner to go in. It sits below the chimney rather than in front of the old fireplace.

Actually, thinking about it, that was 1.5k and the burner plus install was another 1.5, so 3 all in. I should check that.

Thanks for advice all.
Will hopefully be getting some quotes in the next week or so for the work. I think second hand is the way to go for the actual burner though. I wish I'd done this in the summer though when not everybody and their cold dog wanted a woodburner installed.

sofas / furniture, didn't someone post something about knock off chinese stuff?

Our loft extension project moving inexorably forward.

The structural drawings complete, now to put together a schedule of works and put the work out to tender.

I'm thinking that we shortlist 3 builders, and for due diligence have a chat with previous clients, and see if we can't find someone at the local council that might have an off-the-record opinion.

Is there any other due diligence that we should consider? Credit checks?

Don't support IP theft, bro.

Home Furniture is killing sofas or something.

Find something you like, and get someone to make it for you.