After moving house, start by buying the appliances you need to meet the needs your new home can’t yet accommodate, rather than opting for a ready-made set. Before choosing a model, check it will fit through to your home, that you have space for it and that the connections are in place. Depending on your routine and what’s already installed, a dishwasher, tumble dryer or cooker hood may be able to wait. Buying several appliances at once, combining new and refurbished items, or spreading your purchases over time can each suit different circumstances.
You may need several appliances for everyday tasks, but you won’t necessarily need to buy them all. First, make a list of what’s already provided and the spaces available, then decide which functions you’ll need from day one.
An alcove, the way a door opens or the delivery route can all limit your options. For a built-in appliance or cooker hood, compare your home’s measurements and installation set-up with the instructions for the model you’re considering.
Buying in stages or considering a refurbished appliance lets you choose each one when you need it. If you opt for a refurbished appliance, check its condition and dimensions, as well as the service terms on offer.
First decide which functions you’re genuinely missing, then check that each appliance you’re considering can be delivered and installed. After that, compare the features of models that are suitable for your home.
Consider this if: you’re missing several functions from day one and have checked access, available spaces and connections for each appliance.
Bear in mind: you’ll have more to buy straight away, and may include an appliance that could have waited.
Consider this if: you need an appliance quickly and a refurbished option suits the space and intended use.
Bear in mind: your choice will depend on which models are available. Check the appliance’s condition and the warranty and service terms for the offer you choose. The Envie network says it repairs, cleans and tests the appliances it resells.
Consider this if: some appliances are already provided, or the kitchen and its connections haven’t been decided yet.
Plan ahead: keep enough space free and confirm what installation work is needed before adding a built-in appliance or cooker hood later on.
| Priority | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Space and connections | Measure the delivery route, the space available and how the doors open. Check the power supply and, for relevant appliances, the water inlet and outlet. | If space is tight, I want to be sure the appliance will fit and can be connected before I order it. Around 33% of consumers make compatibility a priority. |
| Missing functions | Make a list of the appliances provided, then separate those you’ll need from day one from those you can put off based on your routine. | If my home doesn’t yet let me store food, cook or do the laundry, I want to make sure I can manage those tasks first. Around 27% of consumers put this continuity of everyday life first. |
| Initial budget | Decide which purchases can wait, and check the condition and service terms for any refurbished appliance you’re considering. | If I need several appliances, I’d rather buy the essentials now and spread the rest out. Around 20% of consumers prioritise managing their initial purchases in this way. |
| Use and service life | For compatible models, compare the energy label information, noise levels and any details available about repairability. | For an appliance I’ll use regularly, energy use, noise and whether it can be repaired all matter to me. These are the main concerns for around 20% of consumers. |
An appliance may fit in an alcove but not make it up the stairs or in the lift, or it may leave too little room to open the door. Bosch recommends measuring the space for a built-in dishwasher, while BUT also advises checking access before delivery.
Measure the route and the final space, then compare them with the appliance’s dimensions, including the door when open and the connections.
If the delivery route isn’t suitable, you may need to reschedule delivery or choose a different model.
The commissioning service described by BUT covers connecting an appliance to existing water and electrical supplies. It doesn’t mean that an alcove, duct or circuit will be created for it.
Ask exactly what’s included for each model and check the connections before arranging delivery.
Installing a built-in appliance or cooker hood may require a separate service.
Whether you need an extraction or recirculating hood depends on your home’s layout. Electrolux also highlights the importance of an air supply for an extraction hood, particularly if you have fuel-burning appliances that rely on air from the room.
Before choosing a model, check the duct, ventilation, appliances in the room and the instructions. If you’re unsure whether the installation is safe, consult a qualified professional.
Depending on the model, recirculation requires consumables and maintenance, while extraction may need suitable alterations.
An old appliance may need to be prepared before it’s taken away. BUT’s guidance includes unplugging and draining a washing machine, as well as defrosting a fridge or freezer.
Choose the collection option offered when you place your order, then follow the seller’s instructions to prepare the appliance and make sure it’s accessible.
Choosing a brand with products across several categories may make it easier to find its instructions, but each appliance still needs to suit the space and installation.
Bosch offers ranges for cooking, laundry, dishwashing and refrigeration, as well as installation and repair resources on its French website.
Beko offers appliances for laundry, refrigeration, cooking, cooker hoods and dishwashing, with freestanding and built-in formats available in some categories.
Electrolux offers ranges for laundry and the kitchen, including cooker hoods, and provides instructions and support resources.
These appliances cover two functions you may want to add to your home: washing dishes or drying laundry. Before choosing from built-in dishwashers, a tabletop model and a tumble dryer, check the space available and the connections. None of these appliances is essential in every home.
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Consider this if you want to add a dishwasher to a kitchen that can accommodate a built-in model.
Advertised as 60 cm wide, with a capacity of 13 place settings and a B energy rating.
Before buying, check the space, door panel, door opening and connections against the requirements in the instructions.
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An option for gradually completing a kitchen designed for an integrated dishwasher.
Advertised as 60 cm wide, with a capacity of 14 place settings and an A energy rating.
Check the space, door panel system, door opening and connections before choosing this model.
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Consider this if washing dishes has become a priority and your kitchen has space for an integrated model.
Advertised as 60 cm wide, with a capacity of 14 place settings and an E energy rating.
Check the space, door fitting and connections. To compare energy use, consult the model’s energy label.
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Its tabletop format is worth considering if you want to add a dishwasher without committing to a built-in model straight away.
Advertised capacity of 6 place settings, 7 programmes, a D energy rating and a noise level of 47 dB.
Measure the space and check that the water inlet, drainage and power supply suit your installation.
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Consider this if you need a separate appliance to dry your laundry and have space for one.
Advertised capacity of 8 kg and a C energy rating.
Measure the delivery route and available space, then check the model’s power and installation requirements before buying.
No. Start with the functions you’re missing and need straight away. The space available, your household routine and installation options may mean it’s better to put off buying a dishwasher, tumble dryer or cooker hood rather than get everything at once.
Check the space, door system, clearance needed to open it and connections, using the model’s instructions as a guide. Bosch stresses the importance of measuring the space: the stated width of the appliance alone doesn’t confirm that the door panel and installation will fit.
Don’t assume so. Check which circuit is intended for the appliance before planning to connect it. Promotelec lists washing machines and dishwashers among the appliances that need dedicated circuits. If you’re unsure about the circuit or water connections, have the installation checked.
Choose according to your home’s layout and the requirements for the model, rather than the cooker hood’s appearance alone. Electrolux says extraction requires particular attention to the duct and air supply. If you have a fuel-burning appliance that relies on air from the room, ask a professional to check the ventilation.
Yes, if its condition, model and dimensions suit your needs, and the warranty and service terms meet your requirements. The Envie network says it repairs, cleans and tests the appliances it resells. Check the terms of the specific offer before including it in your purchases.