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Home Improvements

kleintje
- 2 posts
January 9, 2011 3:16:00 PM CET

Hello,

Does anyone have any experience with the following:

- getting a new CV Ketel (central heating boiler) installed?

- ordering a kitchen from WoonExpress (Dutch version of IKEA?)

Cheerio!
Deleted Member
- 5427 posts
January 10, 2011 4:56:25 PM CET

kleintje (Jan 9 2011, 02:16 PM) said: > original post
Hello,

Does anyone have any experience with the following:

- getting a new CV Ketel (central heating boiler) installed?

Cheerio!

Yes.
vrrrespa
- 106 posts
January 11, 2011 12:05:57 AM CET

kleintje (Jan 9 2011, 02:16 PM) said: > original post
Hello,

Does anyone have any experience with the following:

- getting a new CV Ketel (central heating boiler) installed?

- ordering a kitchen from WoonExpress (Dutch version of IKEA?)

Cheerio!

Yes indeed
fortuner
- 10421 posts
January 11, 2011 4:59:57 PM CET

Whoever you get to fit it, after our own on going 2½ year nightmare, here's a few to avoid...
builder2

The builder1 gave up after just a few months (about the time he said it would take to do all the work!) despite knowing him since Jan 2006, claiming ill health and financial difficulties (last I heard, he owes €170k to various others including us, builder2 and our window man who still hasn't been paid the €10k they cost) and closed his company owing us €2.5k and leaving us with builder2, who's also owed about €15k from builder1... kind of, out of the frying pan into the fire. It's been nothing short of a disaster which has left me in quite a depression unable to deal with it very well. I just hope we can eventually get our door key back... after a year and a half of only 20 days work, having to re-order & wait, re-order & wait for further parts from here (where we ordered our bathroom & kitchen) because things have gone so badly wrong. I've my own health and financial worries to contend with now never mind my bitterness... I don't like to carry hate, but it's difficult not to.
illuminatus
- 1298 posts
January 11, 2011 5:08:58 PM CET

mrfook (Jan 10 2011, 03:56 PM) said: > original post
Yes.

That's very Dutch of you to give a 'one word answer'!
illuminatus
- 1298 posts
January 11, 2011 5:13:45 PM CET

wesleynl (Jan 11 2011, 03:59 PM) said: > original post
Whoever you get to fit it, after our own on going 2½ year nightmare, here's a few to avoid...
builder2

The builder1 gave up after just a few months (about the time he said it would take to do all the work!) despite knowing him since Jan 2006, claiming ill health and financial difficulties (last I heard, he owes €170k to various others including us, builder2 and our window man who still hasn't been paid the €10k they cost) and closed his company owing us €2.5k and leaving us with builder2, who's also owed about €15k from builder1... kind of, out of the frying pan into the fire. It's been nothing short of a disaster which has left me in quite a depression unable to deal with it very well. I just hope we can eventually get our door key back... after a year and a half of only 20 days work, having to re-order & wait, re-order & wait for further parts from here (where we ordered our bathroom & kitchen) because things have gone so badly wrong. I've my own health and financial worries to contend with now never mind my bitterness... I don't like to carry hate, but it's difficult not to.

Hey Wes, I've finally started to do some decorating & home improvements, but one thing is I'll need to have done some 'minor' building work done sooner or later.
I've read a thousand times about how bad Dutch builders can be, not to mention the total rip-off prices they can charge.

Do you think I should learn how to do it myself? (my father used to be like that) and I would find it more satisfying.
Or would it be better to get someone in and pay them 'under the table' in cash or something?

It's a similar thing with my bikes. when I first started riding I didn't know anything about repairs, so I'd take the bike to the shops but I felt I was being seriously ripped off and having terrible service. I started reading all over the net and watching youtube clips on bike repairs, so I learnt everything myself, and I'm very confident on doing the repairs, it's actually very easy, and much CHEAPER!!
Deleted Member
- 5427 posts
January 11, 2011 6:40:20 PM CET

illuminatus (Jan 11 2011, 04:08 PM) said: > original post
That's very Dutch of you to give a 'one word answer'! :lol:

It is not very dutch of me...the OP did not state what he/she wanted to know.
rockdundo
January 11, 2011 6:52:09 PM CET

illuminatus (Jan 11 2011, 04:13 PM) said: > original post
It's a similar thing with my bikes. when I first started riding I didn't know anything about repairs, so I'd take the bike to the shops but I felt I was being seriously ripped off and having terrible service. I started reading all over the net and watching youtube clips on bike repairs, so I learnt everything myself, and I'm very confident on doing the repairs, it's actually very easy, and much CHEAPER!!

You are right sir! Necessity breeds ingenuity, or something such. I know more about the inner workings of a TL light setup than I'd like to. I'm growing peruvian rainforest plants, seriously. And I am indeed also an experienced bicycle repairman by now - had to sell my car a couple years back cuz no way no how could I afford to get it through the APK. And then I worked as a bicycle mailman for several months in rural Limburg... I'm a connosseur!
Ah, home improvements, how the dutch love to klus! It surpises me to no end though what the dutch will consider a bargain when it comes to stuff for home improvement. All that money!... for a cold sterile look. It's gotta be strak!
Deleted Member
- 5427 posts
January 11, 2011 7:06:45 PM CET

illuminatus (Jan 11 2011, 04:13 PM) said: > original post
Do you think I should learn how to do it myself? (my father used to be like that) and I would find it more satisfying.
Or would it be better to get someone in and pay them 'under the table' in cash or something?

Depends how much of a budget you have...and what you want to end up with and how much time you have on your hands.
Most 'light building work' is pretty easy really,like anything else, its practice.
Don't try and take too much on or something you're not quite sure about otherwise it can turn into an expensive adventure or a right royal pain in the @ss.
Have a good look at it all before you go ripping everything out.
ASK PEOPLE.
You can save money by looking out for handy bits of wood etc. when its grofvuil day.
Have a good think about what you actually want,draw up a couple of simple approximate designs for whatever....you'll find that much of the time is taken up finding what you want.
I've ended up doing loads of stuff myself...making tables,shelves,a bit of plastering,a bit of electrics and plumbing. Its kind of therapeutic.
For me,I'm not so bothered about it all being super chic....for me its about practicability....and a couple of interesting,jolly colours...do it for yourself. I could've gone over the top and got a fancy kitchen etc. but the chances are,the next owner might rip it all out anyway.
Mine was a right pile of shijt when I bought it....now I like what I've done...and there is a sense of satisfaction...and you'll learn so much from the trial an error,you can take that to the next project.
I'd rather spend a few 1000 on solar panels than a smart kitchen(I don't spend that much time in there anyhoos :)

PS: Pay a little bit more for decent quality tools,paintbrushes etc. - you'll save yourself a lot of ballache and time.
pepec
- 2359 posts
January 11, 2011 7:12:21 PM CET

rockdundo (Jan 11 2011, 05:52 PM) said: > original post
All that money!... for a cold sterile look. It's gotta be strak!
pepec
- 2359 posts
January 11, 2011 7:14:09 PM CET

illuminatus (Jan 11 2011, 04:13 PM) said: > original post
Do you think I should learn how to do it myself? (my father used to be like that) and I would find it more satisfying.
Or would it be better to get someone in and pay them 'under the table' in cash or something?

I believe lots of people hire Poles for this kind of work.
Deleted Member
- 5427 posts
January 11, 2011 7:34:00 PM CET

pepec (Jan 11 2011, 06:12 PM) said: > original post

I'd be scared to actually DO anything in it :)

I mean just imagine being sick all over that chair after a litre of red wine and an enormous chilli.
Deleted Member
- 5427 posts
January 11, 2011 7:37:28 PM CET

wesleynl (Jan 11 2011, 03:59 PM) said: > original post
I've my own health and financial worries to contend with now never mind my bitterness... <_< I don't like to carry hate, but it's difficult not to.

Do your best to avoid 'hate' ...it'll end up making you even more bitter.
Chin up Wes !
You've coped with it so well for so long - its gotta be coming to an end,right?
fortuner
- 10421 posts
January 11, 2011 7:42:39 PM CET

illuminatus (Jan 11 2011, 04:13 PM) said: > original post
Hey Wes, I've finally started to do some decorating & home improvements, but one thing is I'll need to have done some 'minor' building work done sooner or later.
I've read a thousand times about how bad Dutch builders can be, not to mention the total rip-off prices they can charge.

Do you think I should learn how to do it myself? (my father used to be like that) and I would find it more satisfying.
Or would it be better to get someone in and pay them 'under the table' in cash or something?

Well, if you feel confident about it and are able to then go for it. Our renovations were far too much for me to be able to do involving more than just painting and decorating otherwise I would/could have done it myself. As it is, what has been painted is crap so will have to do that myself anyway. We've had a fitted bathroom, toilet and kitchen as well as extensive insulation & sound proofing work done (though it hasn't stopped me hearing neighbour noise, despite the soundproofing mats laid down, it has worked against outside noise, but we've our thick carpets, that we bought over 2½ years ago, to be laid down yet), walls knocked down and cavity insulated walls done involving plasterboards and lots of plaster work done (and will have to be done again in the bedroom as it's crap!), new double glazed windows throughout, completely re-wired the whole flat with new fuse box (with no earth wire in the bedroom!) new radiators and new internal doors through out and 2 additional roof windows in the living room and one added in the attic space we have above the bedroom, which is where we're having to sleep at the moment.
I don't know what the best is for you, but for me, this experience has been so bad, I'd never want to ever do it again so if you can do it yourself, then go for it. I'm sorry I can't recommend anyone to you but I expect there are good ones out there somewhere...

illuminatus (Jan 11 2011, 04:13 PM) said: > original post
It's a similar thing with my bikes. when I first started riding I didn't know anything about repairs, so I'd take the bike to the shops but I felt I was being seriously ripped off and having terrible service. I started reading all over the net and watching youtube clips on bike repairs, so I learnt everything myself, and I'm very confident on doing the repairs, it's actually very easy, and much CHEAPER!!

Yep, everything is going to be much cheaper if you can do it all yourself...
fortuner
- 10421 posts
January 11, 2011 7:47:14 PM CET

mrfook (Jan 11 2011, 06:06 PM) said: > original post
I could've gone over the top and got a fancy kitchen etc. but the chances are,the next owner might rip it all out anyway.

I'm not really interested what the future owner might or might not do...
illuminatus
- 1298 posts
January 11, 2011 7:52:34 PM CET

wesleynl (Jan 11 2011, 06:47 PM) said: > original post
I'm not really interested what the future owner might or might not do...

As long as it adds value to the home, then it doesn't matter what the next person does.
fortuner
- 10421 posts
January 11, 2011 7:54:46 PM CET

mrfook (Jan 11 2011, 06:37 PM) said: > original post
Do your best to avoid 'hate' ...it'll end up making you even more bitter.
Chin up Wes !
You've coped with it so well for so long - its gotta be coming to an end,right?

I try mr.fook, I try but I fail. I've been muttering to myself how much I hate builder2 for sometime now already...
No, I don't see any end for quite sometime yet, years away even as we'll have to go back on work previously already done...
And to think builder1 said it would take a matter of 2-3 months at most, that was in October 2008! Un F believable!!!
fortuner
- 10421 posts
January 11, 2011 8:00:02 PM CET

illuminatus (Jan 11 2011, 06:52 PM) said: > original post
As long as it adds value to the home, then it doesn't matter what the next person does.

To be honest, I'm not really bothered about adding value to the home either, I just want what I want done in the home properly.
Deleted Member
- 5427 posts
January 11, 2011 8:13:52 PM CET

wesleynl (Jan 11 2011, 07:00 PM) said: > original post
To be honest, I'm not really bothered about adding value to the home either, I just want what I want done in the home properly.

I'm not bothered either...if you're not planning on moving it doesn't make an arse of difference...the value of houses here is false anyway - as it is in most of western europe - values have been purposely kept high and tax rebates are there so people have more space to borrow more money - its a fckin scam....the only reason I bought is cos its cheaper than renting.
fortuner
- 10421 posts
January 11, 2011 8:23:37 PM CET

mrfook (Jan 11 2011, 07:13 PM) said: > original post
I'm not bothered either...if you're not planning on moving it doesn't make an arse of difference...the value of houses here is false anyway - as it is in most of western europe - values have been purposely kept high and tax rebates are there so people have more space to borrow more money - its a fckin scam....the only reason I bought is cos its cheaper than renting.

Exactly, there's far too much greed going on (particularly these retched flipping bankers and them still getting their ruddy bonuses. When I was train driving I never got a bonus when my train was packed out and I don't think any of them should get a bonus either. You do a job you get paid for, leave it at that. Don't do it properly then ya sacked, simple. Oops, ranting a bit..) ... a home should be made to live in not for such ridiculous profits that those of us at the bottom struggle to afford.
coinjock
January 12, 2011 12:18:02 AM CET

pepec (Jan 11 2011, 06:12 PM) said: > original post

There really is not one thing I find attractive about this place.

The furniture looks cheap. The tables in the living room are nothing but particle board with a blond vaneer put on top. The chairs at the table look somewhat flimsy. But I admit - I am a furniture snob for sure!
pepec
- 2359 posts
January 12, 2011 12:45:53 AM CET

Yes it is rather hideous. It is also very Dutch. These kind of interiors are heavily promoted by programs like Eigen Huis en Tuin.
Over the years I gathered my stuff mainly from seeking in kringloopwinkels. When you are lucky you can find some great stuff for a few bucks. We have lots of design stuff from the sixties and seventies. Some pretty valuable.
coinjock
January 12, 2011 1:25:58 AM CET

pepec (Jan 11 2011, 11:45 PM) said: > original post
Yes it is rather hideous. It is also very Dutch. These kind of interiors are heavily promoted by programs like Eigen Huis en Tuin.
Over the years I gathered my stuff mainly from seeking in kringloopwinkels. When you are lucky you can find some great stuff for a few bucks. We have lots of design stuff from the sixties and seventies. Some pretty valuable.

The really Dutch thing I have noticed are these incredibly large dining room tables. Ours sits 8 people - and I hate it. We have never had more the 4 at it!
fortuner
- 10421 posts
January 12, 2011 2:02:10 AM CET

coinjock (Jan 11 2011, 11:18 PM) said: > original post
There really is not one thing I find attractive about this place.

The furniture looks cheap. The tables in the living room are nothing but particle board with a blond vaneer put on top. The chairs at the table look somewhat flimsy. But I admit - I am a furniture snob for sure!

Yes, look a bit too clinical & bland looking.. too cold & cheap.
rockdundo
January 12, 2011 9:40:31 AM CET

coinjock (Jan 11 2011, 11:18 PM) said: > original post
There really is not one thing I find attractive about this place.

The furniture looks cheap. The tables in the living room are nothing but particle board with a blond vaneer put on top. The chairs at the table look somewhat flimsy. But I admit - I am a furniture snob for sure!

And those sharp corners, damn, you make one wrong move in that place and it'll be a blood bath!