New house stuff questions

ste_bla · 20 Apr 2008 at 21:01

Need some general help, moving into our own house in a few weeks so..

1) Where to get sofas (after a 3 seater plus a 2 seat sofa bed probs) from. We don't know the exact sizes of rooms yet and places like DFS want 5 weeks to deliver/make which wouldn't really work for use as we don't have any current sofa so where do you get it from?

2) What basic cleaning bits do you need? Got bits for clothes (like vanish/powder) but i mean spills on carpets etc, vanish foam or something else?

3) How do you lay carpets? Ive been looking and seen spray if you don't use underlay rubber stuff but what if you do? What sort of carpet should i get for high and low usage areas (baring in mind were on a limited budget)

4) How do you get a bt phone line without a phone?

5) With gas/water/power do you have to phone the local/past provider or can you just phone anyone? Also where the best place to get a good deal?

6) What are the little blocks you put into the ground to allow cars to park on grass but still let it grow through

7) (misses says i have to) how do you clean a toilet?

Kristoph · 20 Apr 2008 at 21:08

God help you.

Biohazard · 20 Apr 2008 at 21:10

mp3kla said:
God help you.

I kind of have the same sentiment.

ste_bla said:
How do you get a bt phone line without a phone?"

Just cracked me up!

randal · 20 Apr 2008 at 21:15

1) Walk into a branch of SCS they should be able to better 5 weeks, worst case check the bay. It's pretty good for furniture... or Ikea if you've got one fairly close.

2) If the carpets are that bad, hire a proper shampoo cleaner for the day or get someone in. Shouldn't be too pricey.

3) To do a proper job laying carpets you'll need a knee kicker, otherwise it'll never sit close to the edge right and peel back over time.

http://www.diynot.com/shop/KNEE_KICKER/4354

4) Website: Bt.com - It'll cost you £125 to get connected if there's no line there.

5) The previous tenant should inform the utilities who is taking over, but you can call any of them in your area and they'll tell you what you need to do.

6) Beats me.

7) Buy a new one, better than cleaning it. Just don't mess it up in future, or you'll have to buy another new one. Seriously though, there's only one way to clean a toilet. Elbow grease, bleach and don't forget to wash your hands afterwards!

Will_3rd · 20 Apr 2008 at 21:16

What do you want first the gun or the cyanide?

ste_bla · 20 Apr 2008 at 21:18

With the knee kicker does that need for the nail stips to be on the floor? Also there are no carpets

Qdos · 20 Apr 2008 at 21:19

1) Ikea. Yeah it'll fall apart in a few years, but is the cheapest way to furnish your house immediately after you've just spent a crudload on solicitors, the house itself, etc. Get the nice stuff later, wait for the January sales at least for your "main" bits

2) Take a trip down the aisle at Sainsburys. You should really know what you need, if not, just look at what's popular.

3) You get someone else to do it. Seriously. It's not worth trying to do it yourself if you don't know how - the extra expense will be worth it.

4) www.bt.com ?

5) http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx - all you need. You can use anyone you like, but check the contract end dates for the original suppliers with the original owners, they might need to remove equipment or get notice for cancellation of services.

6) Erm, lego? No idea.

7) That's her job, innit? Squirt of Toilet Duck round the bowl, then leave for a while, flush, profit.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/homes/property/moving_index.shtml - very useful site, I'm using it as I'm also moving house soon.

Immsy · 20 Apr 2008 at 21:19

randal24 said:
4) Website: Bt.com - It'll cost you £125 to get connected if there's no line there.

Or if there is a line there but its no longer connected in the exchange building, will also cost £125.

shine · 20 Apr 2008 at 21:21

ste_bla said:
1) Where to get sofas (after a 3 seater plus a 2 seat sofa bed probs) from. We don't know the exact sizes of rooms yet and places like DFS want 5 weeks to deliver/make which wouldn't really work for use as we don't have any current sofa so where do you get it from?

Borrow or become inventive - when I bought my flat I used some old quilts and pillow to fashion my very own bean bag. You'll probably find that most places will deliver quicker than they say.

2) What basic cleaning bits do you need? Got bits for clothes (like vanish/powder) but i mean spills on carpets etc, vanish foam or something else?

I'd would borrow/hire a carpet cleaner and give the whole place a once over if you are concerned otherwise wait until you get in and see what needs doing.

3) How do you lay carpets? Ive been looking and seen spray if you don't use underlay rubber stuff but what if you do? What sort of carpet should i get for high and low usage areas (baring in mind were on a limited budget)

Get a professional to do it its worth the extra - no matter how hard you try you will not get it as good as them first time up.

4) How do you get a bt phone line without a phone?

http://www.productsandservices.bt.c...F277npJ7vP!726621673?categoryId=CON-PHN-LN-R1

5) With gas/water/power do you have to phone the local/past provider or can you just phone anyone? Also where the best place to get a good deal?

www.uswitch.com

7) (misses says i have to) how do you clean a toilet?

Bleach - plenty of it!

ste_bla · 20 Apr 2008 at 21:27

Cheers guys seems so much hastle though

randal · 20 Apr 2008 at 21:30

ste_bla said:
Cheers guys seems so much hastle though

You've got two little 'uns, and this seems like hassle?

ste_bla · 20 Apr 2008 at 21:35

randal24 said:
You've got two little 'uns, and this seems like hassle?

Well not exactly

randal · 20 Apr 2008 at 21:37

Ah ha another one, no wonder you haven't got any time to do the above..!

ste_bla · 20 Apr 2008 at 21:40

randal24 said:
Ah ha another one, no wonder you haven't got any time to do the above..!

And why we had to get a bigger place. Shame its still a rental, although its a long term without furniture so when we can afford to buy we have everything

Also if confused about the carpets: the landlord is ripping them out as its been refurb (well more like fixed after previous tenant) and is paying for new ones (cost price) plus £200 fitting (cash) so if i can DIY it i get £200!

Glaucus · 20 Apr 2008 at 21:41

Second the bay for Furniture. You can get anything from tat to designer stuff wirth thousands and all within a few days.

Are you in a Virgin cable area? As it might work out cheaper especially with BT reconnect charge.

ste_bla · 20 Apr 2008 at 21:44

No virgin here

Also do people really buy sofas off ebay? I find that strange as don't you want to see the quality before you buy?

randal · 20 Apr 2008 at 21:47

See if you can find a local sofa, so you can check it out. Long shot, but can't hurt to look I guess. Oh yeah, Gumtree.com is pretty good for second hand couches too.

Understand the deal on the carpets now, seriously if you're going to attempt it get a sharp knife and a knee kicker. Both are utterly essential for getting a decent fit.

Glaucus · 20 Apr 2008 at 21:55

ste_bla said:
No virgin here

Also do people really buy sofas off ebay? I find that strange as don't you want to see the quality before you buy?

IT depends how much your spending. You could always check local ones only and go have a look.

But DFS ect aren't good quality anyway.

Matt · 20 Apr 2008 at 22:03

You can get sofas and stuff from John Lewis as they'll have stock

Vixen · 20 Apr 2008 at 22:40

The person renting the house to you will know room sizes, did you think to ask them before the panic set in about getting furniture?