downsizing home - invest capital improving it?
Discussion
A few recent family 'events' and the realisation we are creeping closer to 50 we have decided to downsize our big family home. Ten years ago it was ideal for our young lads to have a big garden and games rooms. Now they are both older they don't require either.
We have found a house that is a bit smaller and the garden is far more manageable. It is walking distance to my work, boys college, main line station and close to family.
It should certainly see us through to my retirement (10-15yrs time)
Previously we have always pushed up the property ladder and never had 'spare' money to invest in the property to improve it straight away however this time we will have circa £25k available and would like to invest to make it cheap to run and easy to maintain.
I am thinking:
1) replace old existing boiler (PO have never serviced it) currently located in a kitchen base unit and wasting valuable kitchen space! Install a new one in the garage (condensing or combi?)
2) Install PV panels on roof
3) properly insulate / board loft
4) replace original 1980's double glazing
5) LED lighting throughout.
6) improve the double garage to make it a nicer place to be. insulate walls and ceiling, paint, LED lights, etc.
I know this is PH but I have already sorted the car side of things! I already have a couple of cool classics and permission to add a trad old skool flathead V8 hot rod to the fleet...
We have found a house that is a bit smaller and the garden is far more manageable. It is walking distance to my work, boys college, main line station and close to family.
It should certainly see us through to my retirement (10-15yrs time)
Previously we have always pushed up the property ladder and never had 'spare' money to invest in the property to improve it straight away however this time we will have circa £25k available and would like to invest to make it cheap to run and easy to maintain.
I am thinking:
1) replace old existing boiler (PO have never serviced it) currently located in a kitchen base unit and wasting valuable kitchen space! Install a new one in the garage (condensing or combi?)
2) Install PV panels on roof
3) properly insulate / board loft
4) replace original 1980's double glazing
5) LED lighting throughout.
6) improve the double garage to make it a nicer place to be. insulate walls and ceiling, paint, LED lights, etc.
I know this is PH but I have already sorted the car side of things! I already have a couple of cool classics and permission to add a trad old skool flathead V8 hot rod to the fleet...
We downsized into a 1970s place a few years ago (which we've since extended anyway, but....).
We did:
- Windows, a mix of 1970s and 80s units, now all modern high performance units and don't forget external doors
- Boiler (it was on storage heaters) which significantly lowered the cost of heating the place.
- Loft insulation is a no brainer, just make sure you leave room for air to circulate.
We also had a partial rewire and added a lot more sockets and lighting points which makes the place more usable than it was with 2 single sockets per room.
We did:
- Windows, a mix of 1970s and 80s units, now all modern high performance units and don't forget external doors
- Boiler (it was on storage heaters) which significantly lowered the cost of heating the place.
- Loft insulation is a no brainer, just make sure you leave room for air to circulate.
We also had a partial rewire and added a lot more sockets and lighting points which makes the place more usable than it was with 2 single sockets per room.
roca1976 said:
A few recent family 'events' and the realisation we are creeping closer to 50 we have decided to downsize our big family home. Ten years ago it was ideal for our young lads to have a big garden and games rooms. Now they are both older they don't require either.
We have found a house that is a bit smaller and the garden is far more manageable. It is walking distance to my work, boys college, main line station and close to family.
It should certainly see us through to my retirement (10-15yrs time)
Previously we have always pushed up the property ladder and never had 'spare' money to invest in the property to improve it straight away however this time we will have circa £25k available and would like to invest to make it cheap to run and easy to maintain.
I am thinking:
1) replace old existing boiler (PO have never serviced it) currently located in a kitchen base unit and wasting valuable kitchen space! Install a new one in the garage (condensing or combi?)
2) Install PV panels on roof
3) properly insulate / board loft
4) replace original 1980's double glazing
5) LED lighting throughout.
6) improve the double garage to make it a nicer place to be. insulate walls and ceiling, paint, LED lights, etc.
I know this is PH but I have already sorted the car side of things! I already have a couple of cool classics and permission to add a trad old skool flathead V8 hot rod to the fleet...
Depends on the age of the property, can be a can of worms, will it need a rewire, how good is the roof, are the ceilings nasty artex, are the kitchens and bathrooms good enough to last that time period. to fit led means lifting carpets and floorboards or pulling down ceilings.We have found a house that is a bit smaller and the garden is far more manageable. It is walking distance to my work, boys college, main line station and close to family.
It should certainly see us through to my retirement (10-15yrs time)
Previously we have always pushed up the property ladder and never had 'spare' money to invest in the property to improve it straight away however this time we will have circa £25k available and would like to invest to make it cheap to run and easy to maintain.
I am thinking:
1) replace old existing boiler (PO have never serviced it) currently located in a kitchen base unit and wasting valuable kitchen space! Install a new one in the garage (condensing or combi?)
2) Install PV panels on roof
3) properly insulate / board loft
4) replace original 1980's double glazing
5) LED lighting throughout.
6) improve the double garage to make it a nicer place to be. insulate walls and ceiling, paint, LED lights, etc.
I know this is PH but I have already sorted the car side of things! I already have a couple of cool classics and permission to add a trad old skool flathead V8 hot rod to the fleet...
A new boiler, pv panels and double glazing will probably burn through most of your budget.
Hi
I estimate the house is early 1980's and still has the dark wood double glazed windows of the era.
I have also set aside an additional £25k + VAT to redo the kitchen and knock it through to the adjoining room because the existing one is too small and original cabinets, etc.
The PO have replaced both the bathroom and ensuite recently to an acceptable standard and neutral colours.
Roof, guttering and fascias all look ok so should last the duration.
and yes it does have a lot of horrible artex ceilings...however once they have been slapped over with a fresh coat of satin brilliant white I can live with them.
I estimate the house is early 1980's and still has the dark wood double glazed windows of the era.
I have also set aside an additional £25k + VAT to redo the kitchen and knock it through to the adjoining room because the existing one is too small and original cabinets, etc.
The PO have replaced both the bathroom and ensuite recently to an acceptable standard and neutral colours.
Roof, guttering and fascias all look ok so should last the duration.
and yes it does have a lot of horrible artex ceilings...however once they have been slapped over with a fresh coat of satin brilliant white I can live with them.
LemonParty said:
spikeyhead said:
I'd make sure it's clean and bright, and possibly add some more insulation in the loft, but spending lots of money that you won't recoup in sales price is unnecessary.
I thought the OP was talking about investing / upgrading the new propertyroca1976 said:
A few recent family 'events' and the realisation we are creeping closer to 50 we have decided to downsize our big family home. Ten years ago it was ideal for our young lads to have a big garden and games rooms. Now they are both older they don't require either.
We have found a house that is a bit smaller and the garden is far more manageable. It is walking distance to my work, boys college, main line station and close to family.
It should certainly see us through to my retirement (10-15yrs time)
Previously we have always pushed up the property ladder and never had 'spare' money to invest in the property to improve it straight away however this time we will have circa £25k available and would like to invest to make it cheap to run and easy to maintain.
I am thinking:
1) replace old existing boiler (PO have never serviced it) currently located in a kitchen base unit and wasting valuable kitchen space! Install a new one in the garage (condensing or combi?)
2) Install PV panels on roof
3) properly insulate / board loft
4) replace original 1980's double glazing
5) LED lighting throughout.
6) improve the double garage to make it a nicer place to be. insulate walls and ceiling, paint, LED lights, etc.
I know this is PH but I have already sorted the car side of things! I already have a couple of cool classics and permission to add a trad old skool flathead V8 hot rod to the fleet...
To be honest, I'd live with it for at least a year and just relax having a wodge of cash in the bank. We have found a house that is a bit smaller and the garden is far more manageable. It is walking distance to my work, boys college, main line station and close to family.
It should certainly see us through to my retirement (10-15yrs time)
Previously we have always pushed up the property ladder and never had 'spare' money to invest in the property to improve it straight away however this time we will have circa £25k available and would like to invest to make it cheap to run and easy to maintain.
I am thinking:
1) replace old existing boiler (PO have never serviced it) currently located in a kitchen base unit and wasting valuable kitchen space! Install a new one in the garage (condensing or combi?)
2) Install PV panels on roof
3) properly insulate / board loft
4) replace original 1980's double glazing
5) LED lighting throughout.
6) improve the double garage to make it a nicer place to be. insulate walls and ceiling, paint, LED lights, etc.
I know this is PH but I have already sorted the car side of things! I already have a couple of cool classics and permission to add a trad old skool flathead V8 hot rod to the fleet...
1). If it ain't broke don't worry about the boiler. Move it when it breaks.
2) Don't waste money on solar. You're not going to be there long enough and the next buyer will knock you for the out dated junk on the roof.
3) If it genuinely needs insulating then have that done but why waste money on boards?
4) If the windows are shot then replace, otherwise keep the money in the bank.
5) Change bulbs as they blow.
6) unless planning to live in the garage, f
k it, waste of money. The windows are about the only thing that might be worth binning cash on from the list.
Jeremy-75qq8 said:
Sadly £25 k does not go far. Solar and a boiler including relocation will take a large chunk of it.
That would be my thinking. And the return from either over 10-15 isn't likely to happen so it's potentially just money in the bin. The OP also appears to imply that this will be the first time in a long time that they've had the pleasure of a lump of money floating around. That comfort should rush to be undervalued.
Depends what’s been done already. I’m in a late 80s detached house(moved in 9 years ago). By now everything needs replacing.
Previous owner did kitchen, downstairs bog,boiler, de artex, double glazing,carpets
We’ve done, patio,drive,garage,doors, fascia’s/gutters etc,bathrooms, radiators,water softener, front door, patio doors, full decoration, side gate,fences, flooring,wood burner, unvented cylinder, lighting and whatever else.
Well over 100k. My point being, 25 won’t go far so buy something someone else has already emptied their wallet into recently, preferably in good taste.
Previous owner did kitchen, downstairs bog,boiler, de artex, double glazing,carpets
We’ve done, patio,drive,garage,doors, fascia’s/gutters etc,bathrooms, radiators,water softener, front door, patio doors, full decoration, side gate,fences, flooring,wood burner, unvented cylinder, lighting and whatever else.
Well over 100k. My point being, 25 won’t go far so buy something someone else has already emptied their wallet into recently, preferably in good taste.
roca1976 said:
Previously we have always pushed up the property ladder and never had 'spare' money to invest in the property to improve it straight away however this time we will have circa £25k available and would like to invest to make it cheap to run and easy to maintain.
So you want to spend £25k in order to save some money? I would get out of this mentality now. It doesn't make any sense.You've said you only intend to live there for 10-15 years, so if you spend, say, £25k on improvements, you'll need to be cutting your energy bill by £1,600p/a to recoup your losses over 15 years. Is this realistic?
By all means replace windows and top up your loft insulation, but if you're going to spend a load of money on the house, spend it on things you'd like to improve and, ideally, which will add value, rather than just trying to shave your energy bills down.
roca1976 said:
however this time we will have circa £25k available and would like to invest to make it cheap to run and easy to maintain.
Well, because you used 'invest', than get a value of your house (£ per sq m). And than try to calculate what would that number be after you spent 25k on any of those items on the list? I would assume '0' or at some point could even be lower. None of those in the list 'investment', it is just spending money on your house, totally up to you. 
I wouldn't pre-plan it. Live in the house first. If the heating is not too bad, don't bother with the boiler.
When we first moved into our current house (17 years ago, into a 1848 Stable House conversion), we though our house was perfect. Cheap things (insulation, Led lights, etc.) just get them done.
After a few months, we found the en suite had a leak and rotten floor, traversing up the walls behind the tiles.
The kitchen looked great but completely impractical for day to day living.
The boiler failed after 12 months.
When we first moved into our current house (17 years ago, into a 1848 Stable House conversion), we though our house was perfect. Cheap things (insulation, Led lights, etc.) just get them done.
After a few months, we found the en suite had a leak and rotten floor, traversing up the walls behind the tiles.
The kitchen looked great but completely impractical for day to day living.
The boiler failed after 12 months.
mike9009 said:
I wouldn't pre-plan it. Live in the house first. If the heating is not too bad, don't bother with the boiler.
When we first moved into our current house (17 years ago, into a 1848 Stable House conversion), we though our house was perfect. Cheap things (insulation, Led lights, etc.) just get them done.
After a few months, we found the en suite had a leak and rotten floor, traversing up the walls behind the tiles.
The kitchen looked great but completely impractical for day to day living.
The boiler failed after 12 months.
The rush to go shopping is an illness. Got money! Gotta spend it!When we first moved into our current house (17 years ago, into a 1848 Stable House conversion), we though our house was perfect. Cheap things (insulation, Led lights, etc.) just get them done.
After a few months, we found the en suite had a leak and rotten floor, traversing up the walls behind the tiles.
The kitchen looked great but completely impractical for day to day living.
The boiler failed after 12 months.
Unless you have no discernible budget and can just have the house redesigned and all work done prior to living there then anyone on an actual budget or with definable resources would under normal circumstances be an idiot to go and spend that budget before spending a least a year establishing what it is that actually needs doing.
There was a documentary about twenty years back that highlighted this risk:
https://youtu.be/2wnvE2HU0xk?si=KFOwOmOSc9HrRvUz
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