Home update!

[andrewducker]

We've been in for about 10 days. It doesn't really feel like it, because everything was made of chaos for the first week, and it was only yesterday that we started to get anywhere close to normality. Basically, we moved in as soon as the doors were on and the bathrooms were functional, but the builders were still working away that day - they got the shower door attached that evening around 6, and cleared out then, but the whole house was basically full of stuff, and the bedroom and kitchen were covered in dust, with the dining room, living room, and new bedroom all full of stuff that we need to move to where it needs to go.

Oh, and the washing machine and dishwasher were leaking again (once again due to visiting rats, presumably when there was no back on the house over the winter), so we had to use a laundry service. It wasn't worth getting them fixed because the new washing machine, dishwasher, and tumble dryer were all due to arrive just over a week later (yesterday, Tuesday).

We basically made do for a week, tidying up little bits here and there, and eating a lot of takeout/packet food. And then yesterday our beloved cleaner totally gutted the bedroom and made it lovely again, and made the kitchen usable again. And at the same time the dishwasher/washing machine/tumble dryer were delivered. At the suggestion of a friend I'd gone with somewhat-used goods from the Miele Outlet store - on the grounds that Miele are ridiculously high end, but the second-handness brought them down to affordable levels, and the warranty still lasted two years.

We didn't have Miele fit them, because the builder was basically still installing the water pipes, so they were fitted by the builders. And, alas, the washing machine didn't work. So I spoke to their support line, and their repair technician is coming round on Friday to fix it. And I can't test the dishwasher, because it turns out that the kitchen sink (which the dishwasher attaches to) is blocked. And two lots of drain unblocker have failed to sort it. So I have a request in to HomeForce for a plumber, which should hopefully *also* happen on Friday.

So, hopefully come Friday afternoon/evening I will have a working washing machine, dishwasher, tumble dryer (which I also need to test, now I think of it, before then), and kitchen sink.

I've taken Friday off so I can be in for any of this. And to start sorting out the books in boxes in the dining room. It does feel, despite the above tale of woe, like it's all coming together. Another few days and it'll definitely feel more like a home.

Comments

[cmcmck]

We had to stay put while they did all the work this place needed and I remember that dust!

[andrewducker]

We were in for the first 5 months, but when they took the bathroom out...

[fub]

That's a clever idea, getting the cheaper returned items from Miele! I need to keep that in mind...

I hope all of these loose ends will be resolved quickly.

[andrewducker]

Thank you.

WoW!

[lsanderson]

One of the appliance review guys I like on YouTube suggested Miele for those who can afford them (and get them repaired, which ain't easy this side o' the pond). They are supposed to be great and work almost forever.

Re: WoW!

[andrewducker]

Yeah, there's no way we could afford to pay full price for Miele. But on discount brings it down to Bosch prices, which is worth it for us.

Re: WoW!

[movingfinger]

I feel I should say that "work almost forever" has not been my experience with Miele. A washing machine in my previous house, bought new, was fine for about five or six years and then needed repeated service calls, including two successive motherboard failures, and the Miele dishwasher here (ten years old, I'd guess, from the most recent kitchen redo) rusted from inside the door, which I have never seen before except for the thirty-year-old Frigidaire at Mom's. I bought a Bosch dishwasher and LG laundry equipment---I don't know anyone who has had trouble with a Bosch.

I'm in the US, so parts access is possibly a regional problem with Miele. Everyone in EU and UK seems to love them!

Re: WoW!

[andrewducker]

I shall have to hope that the local ones are more competent than that!

Re: WoW!

[movingfinger]

I do believe the quality of parts and service in the Miele's so to speak native habitat have to be better! They have such a good reputation---in Europe!

[greenwoodside]

Glad you made it into the house!

At least the chaos in the kitchen gave you a cast-iron excuse for pizza and curry.

[andrewducker]

Thank you!

[angelofthenorth]

Having had a Miele vacuum off free cycle eleven years ago the existence of the outlet is very useful knowledge, thank you.

[azurelunatic]

Welcome home!

[andrewducker]

Thank you!

[threemeninaboat]

YEAH! This has gone on for so long!

[andrewducker]

Not a year...yet.

[cellio]

I'm glad you're back in your home, and I hope the loose ends get sorted soon! So. Much. Disruption...

[andrewducker]

Thank you!

[channelpenguin]

Best of luck taming the remaining chaos!

Good use of outside help too. You know me. I'd have been trying to do it all myself (well maybe not the washing machine. Sometimes they just never work again after being moved). Which would need much more than a day off work... And some things would no doubt defeat me. You've taken the far more sensible and efficient option.

I really should follow your example, because here in Germany, you can write off €6k (I think) per year from your tax return for workmen...

But I don't have kids, so I have to make life interesting in other ways :-)

[andrewducker]

If we didn't have kids we'd have done a lot more. As it is, we're not free in the evening until after 8:30 (and not free in the morning at all). Not a lot I can do in that time.

[channelpenguin]

I understand, I am barely awake by 8:30pm!! (but I get up at 5:30 am, and work 100% from home :-) )

[draigwen]

Glad you are now home - good luck getting everything else sorted!