How do I stop the spending - Renovating new house

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

Has anybody every got themselves into a spiral of insanity after starting to renovate a new house?

I have spent 3 x what I initially budgeted for and it just never seems to end. Everything is so bloody expensive as well!

I have not been on CUK much these days cause I am spending every free minute doing painting, sanding etc. to reduce costs.

It starts off with knocking down a wall and ends up re-plastering the whole house, new doors, new handles, new everything. Buying a house is so much more costly than what I had bargained for!!!

[northernladuk]

Welcome to the real world..... Now it is time to grow some and deal with it.

[Sausage Surprise]

Don't leave the wife in charge of the budget (I speak from experience)

[TestMangler]

Welcome to the real world..... Now it is time to grow some and deal with it.

Come on NLUK. I was expecting at the very least, a link to Sarah Beeny's newbie guide.....

[northernladuk]

Come on NLUK. I was expecting at the very least, a link to Sarah Beeny's newbie guide.....

I was looking for the guide where first time buyer lose sight of reality, spend all their money on the house and then something changes which means they can't make ends meet and have to sell it and downsize because of their poor budgeting and future proofing. It is a common failing that puts families back decades. I know two people in exactly the same situation and their advice would be to set your sights lower, you have the rest of your life. You chose to enjoy it in a great house which took awhile to do or lose it all and look back with regret. I can see which of these two the OP will be doing.

[TestMangler]

I was looking for the guide where first time buyer lose sight of reality, spend all their money on the house and then something changes which means they can't make ends meet and have to sell it and downsize because of their poor budgeting and future proofing. It is a common failing that puts families back decades. I know two people in exactly the same situation and their advice would be to set your sights lower, you have the rest of your life. You chose to enjoy it in a great house which took awhile to do or lose it all and look back with regret. I can see which of these two the OP will be doing.

Yeah yeah, agree with all that stuff. That Sarah Beeny has some pair of jugs though !!

[quackhandle]

Has anybody every got themselves into a spiral of insanity after starting to renovate a new house?

I have spent 3 x what I initially budgeted for and it just never seems to end. Everything is so bloody expensive as well!

I have not been on CUK much these days cause I am spending every free minute doing painting, sanding etc. to reduce costs.

It starts off with knocking down a wall and ends up re-plastering the whole house, new doors, new handles, new everything. Buying a house is so much more costly than what I had bargained for!!!

Houses can easily eat up all the cash/credit you have and then some. Does everything have to be new? Have you done any bargaining? Tried reclamation yards? Freecycle, ebay?

I'm such a tight git I love haggling and love a bargain (thankfully the wife is the same) and would rather go without until I find the right deal.

On the flip side, fair play for doing stuff yourself, I fooking HATE DIY so I'll always get a bloke in to do it (after some movement on price!)

Good luck, it takes a while to bond with your bricks.

qh

[escapeUK]

Those ready to move into houses seem cheap in comparison now, dont they?

[bobspud]

Just been through this over the last few years. The only way you learn is by setting your quality limit (ie solid oak kitchens etc) then costing each job to 10% before you start.

What I will say is that there is far too much margin in bathrooms and kitchens. So look on line and look for the trade suppliers try not to sound like a newby and they will sell to you at trade prices.

Never let a workman price a job for you. But always make sure you pay them well.

[cojak]

Don't leave the wife in charge of the budget (I speak from experience)

And make sure that you speak to the builders/plasterers etc., not the missus (it sounds like she believed the sharp intakes of breath...)