Calling all propertty developers...

[Sarah_W]

I'm renvoating a place to sell on and are unsure what to do about white goods. It's a 1 bedroom falt that's only worth about 130k in London commuter territory.

What do you professionals do?

Integrated
Provide under worktop units
Leave gaps for buyers to provide their own

Many thanks for any help :-)

[Plotloss]

Integrated.

If someone is buying it as a crashpad they wont want to fk about and will be thinking about selling it on.

[Dr_Gonzo]

Integrated look smuch tidier - especially on a smaller kitchen. Whatever you do don't just leave gaps. Most people looking to buy a flat want something quick and easy. They certainly don't want to have to buy and install their white goods before they can even move in.

[Jgtv]

Something cheap and fit for purpose, new and functional under unit jobs, I wouldn't bother about integrated units.

No point spending larger amounts of money on something you would have in your place, its a false economy because you wont make the money back when you sell it on, this is an investment and you should do everything you can to allow the maximum profit.

[V8mate]

Jgtv said:

Something cheap and fit for purpose, new and functional under unit jobs, I wouldn't bother about integrated units.

No point spending larger amounts of money on something you would have in your place, its a false economy because you wont make the money back when you sell it on, this is an investment and you should do everything you can to allow the maximum profit.

You're right....to an extent. With some things though, cheap stinks like fish. Kitchens and bathrooms should give every effect of being good quality, especially in the OP's geographical area.

[cinque]

If you want to sell this place on quickly then i'd go integrated.

Not much more expense than under unit jobbies (buy ex-demo/online if you want to save) and they look much better aesthetically. In the bigger scheme of things, touches like this will sell the place quicker than a kitchen with empty spaces or under unit white goods.

[JQ]

You can get "graded" products on Ebay at a significant discount. They generally look brand new from the front but the sides or rear have been scratched during transit so they can't be sold as new. They also don't come with a guarantee, but what do you care if you're selling the flat. Just make sure you fully read the description to understand exactly where the damage is to ensure it's not visible.

I've bought lots of graded products and never had a problem.

[Deva Link]

Integrated stuff seems to have dropped a lot in price now too - had to buy an integrated dishwasher they other day for a rented house and there was plenty of choice from just over £200. Last time I bought one for my house there was very little choice and most were £500+

[JQ]

Also, if you do buy integrated do not buy it from the kitchen supplier - it's how they make the majority of their cash.

[Harry Flashman]

Dr_Gonzo said:

Integrated look smuch tidier - especially on a smaller kitchen. Whatever you do don't just leave gaps. Most people looking to buy a flat want something quick and easy. They certainly don't want to have to buy and install their white goods before they can even move in.

This is what I was told. My place is a flat (albeit a large one) in south London, with convenient train into The City. I was advised that while more expensive, integrated appliances would basically be expected in the (open plan) kitchen by potential buyers. They are more expensive for the spec you get, but look sleek in an open plan kitchen/living area.

Only thing I have freestanding is the fridge freezer, and that's because I wanted a feature one.

[Harry Flashman]

JQ said:

Also, if you do buy integrated do not buy it from the kitchen supplier - it's how they make the majority of their cash.

Indeed. Moben *spits* wanted nearly a grand for an integrated washer dryer!!

Obviously, I didn't use these clowns - went independent, chose and supplied my own appliances.

[Sarah_W]

Thanks ever so much for your suggestions folks. SOunds like I need to include something and hunting down cheap integrated units sounds like a good option :-)

Just one last question please... I'll get fridge/freezer combined, but how about a washing machine/integrated dryer - should I provide one and indeed, for a 130k flat I presume a washing machine is not necessary or am I being naive? I'm aiming at the 25-35 professional commuter market but at 130k they'll also be money conscious so unsure if they'd expect a dishwasher.

[MrV]

We tend to just leave a gap for a washing machine in that kind of price bracket as to a dishwasher, depends on how big a kitchen you are putting in ?again in that kind of price range I doubt we would even leave a space for one as a 600mm base unit would be better for a buyer.

[Harry Flashman]

Um, you will need a washing machine (or at least space and plumbing for one). Commuters don't tend to use launderettes...

[eps]

Sarah_W said:

Thanks ever so much for your suggestions folks. SOunds like I need to include something and hunting down cheap integrated units sounds like a good option :-)

Just one last question please... I'll get fridge/freezer combined, but how about a washing machine/integrated dryer - should I provide one and indeed, for a 130k flat I presume a washing machine is not necessary or am I being naive? I'm aiming at the 25-35 professional commuter market but at 130k they'll also be money conscious so unsure if they'd expect a dishwasher.

www.offeroftheday.co.uk - excellent offers on white goods.. highly searchable.

[anonymous-user]

Dont buy expensive white goods! I'm not a developer but I have lived in a lot of places like you are describing. I have had some expensive white goods from hotpoint, mille and bosch and they have all been pretty rubbish! Ive now got a middle range set of beko stuff (looks very good) and its been faultless so far.

[eps]

MonkeyMatt said:

Dont buy expensive white goods! I'm not a developer but I have lived in a lot of places like you are describing. I have had some expensive white goods from hotpoint, mille and bosch and they have all been pretty rubbish! Ive now got a middle range set of beko stuff (looks very good) and its been faultless so far.

Try Miele...

[anonymous-user]

eps said:

MonkeyMatt said:

Dont buy expensive white goods! I'm not a developer but I have lived in a lot of places like you are describing. I have had some expensive white goods from hotpoint, mille and bosch and they have all been pretty rubbish! Ive now got a middle range set of beko stuff (looks very good) and its been faultless so far.

Try Miele...

Thats why mine must have been rubbish then! it was some cheap knock off!

[Deva Link]

MonkeyMatt said:

eps said:

MonkeyMatt said:

Dont buy expensive white goods! I'm not a developer but I have lived in a lot of places like you are describing. I have had some expensive white goods from hotpoint, mille and bosch and they have all been pretty rubbish! Ive now got a middle range set of beko stuff (looks very good) and its been faultless so far.

Try Miele...

Thats why mine must have been rubbish then! it was some cheap knock off!

.

I wouldn't have put Hotpoint in the "expensive" bracket either, although our integrated dishwasher is badged Hotpoint but is actually made by Bosch. A big advantage of integrated white goods is that you can't see the badge anyway.

[Harry Flashman]

Actually, it does seem you cannot tell. My Smeg dishwasher broke repeatedly; eventually, fed up, I replaced it with a Baumatic cheapie. That's been faultless for 4 years. My CDA oven looks nice, is cheap, and has never given me trouble. My washing machine is a Caple, and has been absolutely fine.

I have to replace my freestanding appliances with integrated ones now (including microwave) - and have largely gone AEG. But the washer-dryer is a Caple.

You can't really take integrated appliances with you. So £800 on a Bosch washer dryer instead of £400 on the Caple one seemed a little stupid, given I may sell the place in a couple of years.