If you are moving into a new home, renovating your old one, or looking for reliable assistance with your household chores, it is perhaps time to think about getting new appliances. Appliances form the backbone of a functional home, so it is important to ensure that they are capable of meeting your needs.
Without a doubt, you probably like them to be attractive, affordable, reliable, and have appealing features. Take into consideration the handy tips below to help you choose the appliance that’s most suitable for you, whether it is a dishwasher, refrigerator, dryer, washer, or a stove.
1. Measure
Size is important, and this refers not only to the length, depth, and width of the space where the appliance should fit, but the corners and passageways you will need to navigate as you install it in your home. Purchasing appliances that fit property is far easier compared to buying one that’s either too big to get through the doorway or nicks the walls as it is carried in.
When it comes to buying a stove, ensure that you consider the space needed to connect any pipes at the rear; with refrigerators, make sure that you account for the depth of a bulky door. Why go through the hassle of attempting to exchange when it is easier to get it right the first time round?
2. Research
If you want to learn about a specific appliance and its different brands, you should listen to people that own them. Ask your friends about the refrigerators they own and the good and the bad of those taking note of any horror stories.
Check online for reviews too; the vast majority on retailers have reviews posted on their websites and people are quite open about sharing their experiences. If a particular brand of dryer is very noisy, it is important to know it, just as you will want to know whether the ice maker on a specific model of refrigerator is often in need of repair.
3. Seasonal Sales
Appliances typically go on sale during the fall, which is why you need to plan ahead to know when you will have to replace the older models.
4. Know Thyself
Think about features that you will actually need and be using for all appliances. That glamorous stovetop might be appealing, but if it is just suited to copper pots, it might not be practical for the kitchen you have.
Don’t let design features and mechanisms that add cost but will probably sit idle or be a nuisance once you have bought the appliance and it is in your home bother you. Love at first sight often fades away fast when the appliances fails to match your lifestyle or work properly.
5. Compare
Research the different models that are appealing to you and see where you can get them at the best rates with the most services included. Doing this will probably mean looking online and visiting retailers. Stores are only able to fit a limited number of models into their showrooms – sometimes the most expensive – and it is easy to miss out on an item that’s perfectly suited to your needs.
You can also find better deals on the Internet, particularly with flash sales and promotional codes.
6. Energy Efficiency
If environmental conservation is something that you are concerned about, compare the Energy Star ratings for different brands and models and review the number of kilowatt hours they consume as well as the cost involved in operating them.
7. Do You Understand?
Review the manual, even the fine print, before signing up for complicated additions or mechanisms. Ensure that you understand the directions for working them or you will have wasted all your money.
8. Extras Aren’t Necessarily Special
Find out whether you require extra parts or will be required to make special adjustments for the appliance to work properly. Does it require a special hose? Is the fancy stovetop that you bought in need of a more powerful exhaust fan? You should factor all these into the costs as well as your installation plans.
9. Do It Yourself (DIY)
Ask the retailer for installation assistance with the new appliances but remember that’s the surest way to add on more expenses. A better approach would be to consider doing it yourself – today, you can find YouTube videos for all kinds of skills – or tap into the expertise of family and friends. It will probably cost you a case of beer or a meal, but you will definitely enjoy the company and you are guaranteed to learn something valuable moving forward.
10. Negotiate
Retailers usually promise to match the prices of their competitors, but this only refers to prices offered in-store. Still, it never hurts to negotiate the best possible deal. If you are unable to lower the price, request for a sweetener for the deal, such as the removal of an older model or an extended warranty.
11. Replacing Older Models with Newer Ones
Make sure that your purchase is inclusive of free delivery; most retailers include delivery for sales over a specific amount of money. You should also have a plan for the old model, besides taking it to the landfill for the sake of the environment. If it works, advertise it online, or sell it for scrap metal.
12. Prepare for Repairs
Even the best appliances suffer from hiccups from time to time. Don’t forget to ask the dealer for the names of some reliable repair professionals so that you have them on hand in case of a crisis. Ensure that you can have the appliance services locally; avoid buying fancy foreign brands if there’s nobody in your location trained to repair it.
It is fun to own lovely new appliances with labour-saving features. Just ensure that you get what you are capable of handling and what you need too.
