To make your new home ready to live in, start by buying the appliances you need straight away, such as those for keeping food fresh, cooking or doing the laundry. You can wait to buy other appliances if you have a temporary alternative. Before choosing a model, check its dimensions and whether it will fit through the route into your home. For a built-in appliance, check the cabinet opening and door panel too: ADEME recommends choosing appliances to suit your needs, while fitting instructions vary by model. Get the delivery date, drop-off location and installation arrangements confirmed in writing. The French Ministry of the Economy says that the cost of any paid installation service offered by the seller must be provided in writing at the time of purchase.
You’ll need to distinguish between the functions you need during your first few days and the appliances you can buy later. ADEME outlines the common categories of household appliances in French homes, but the fact that an appliance is common doesn’t mean you need one in your home.
Check the route to the appliance’s location, how its doors open and, for a built-in model, the cabinet opening dimensions and door-panel fittings. Electrolux’s pre-installation instructions and the dimensions published by Whirlpool show why it’s important to check the requirements for each model.
You may need your appliances delivered and possibly installed by a specific deadline. The French Ministry of the Economy sets out the information that should be provided about delivery, while Electrolux’s fitting terms apply to that brand’s service.
Start with the appliances you’ll genuinely need, then check access, timings, installation and the associated costs.
| Priority | What to check before you buy | Who does this apply to ? |
|---|---|---|
| Functions needed as soon as you move in | Check what’s already installed and what temporary alternatives are available; choose a capacity that suits how you’ll use the appliance. | If my home doesn’t have a suitable way to keep food fresh, cook or wash clothes, I’ll prioritise the function I’m missing and put the rest off. Around 28 % of consumers prioritise immediate use. |
| Access and space | Measure the appliance and the route it will take, including doorways, stairs and access points. For a built-in model, also check the cabinet opening, door panel and opening direction required for the exact model. | If there’s a narrow passage along the route or my kitchen has a fixed cabinet opening, I’ll check the measurements before ordering. Around 22 % of consumers prioritise access and space. |
| Delivery date and service | Confirm the agreed date or delivery window, drop-off location and fees; mention any access difficulties when arranging delivery. | If I need my appliances by a specific date, I’ll confirm the delivery deadline for each model instead of assuming they’ll all arrive together. Around 22 % of consumers prioritise receiving their appliances on time. |
| Installation and connections | Ask which tasks are included, including connections, fitting the door panel and any other work. Electrolux’s guide explains that some joinery work isn’t included in the service described by the brand. | If I want to use the appliance as soon as it’s delivered, I’ll check what connections and fitting are needed, especially for a built-in model. Around 17 % of consumers prioritise installation. |
| Cost and purchases you can put off | Compare the appliance, delivery and installation costs separately. For applicable appliances, compare energy labels using the same units and reference cycles. | If budget is a priority, I’ll compare buying now with buying later or choosing a second-hand appliance, and check its condition and the seller’s status. Around 11 % of consumers prioritise keeping costs under control. |
An incompatible cabinet opening, fixing or door panel can prevent the appliance from being fitted, even if it looks as though it will fit in the available space.
Compare the instructions for the exact model with your existing cabinetry and the written details of the installation service.
Depending on the appliance and service you choose, you may still need to arrange a suitable door panel or joinery work.
Having an appliance delivered doesn’t necessarily mean it will be connected or ready to use.
Before ordering, get the drop-off location, connections to be made and fees confirmed in writing. The French Ministry of the Economy says that the cost of a paid installation service offered by the seller must be provided in writing at the time of purchase.
Placing a coordinated order doesn’t guarantee that every appliance will be available and delivered on your preferred date.
Separate the functions you need straight away from purchases you can put off, and confirm the delivery deadline for each appliance.
The condition, seller, transport and installation can all affect your decision. In France, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a professional to a private individual; it doesn’t cover sales between private individuals.
Check who the seller is, the stated condition, the dimensions and the services available before arranging delivery.
The French range includes freestanding refrigerators, such as 2D 60 fridge-freezers, which are worth considering if you need a way to keep food fresh from the day you move in.
The Série 2 WGE02409FR front-loading washing machine is listed with a 7 kg capacity and a maximum spin speed of 1 400 rpm.
The BTL1WFP10652FR freestanding washing machine is a top-loading model. Beko lists a 6,5 kg capacity for this model.
The ARG184702FR built-in refrigerator uses a sliding hinge fixing system, making it suitable for kitchens with a compatible cabinet opening and door panel.
Consider the fully integrated KESC7300L dishwasher if your kitchen has a suitable cabinet opening, door panel and connections.
These Joybuy models include freestanding washing machines and refrigerators, as well as a built-in dishwasher for a fitted kitchen.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a freestanding washing machine with a top-opening door.
Capacity stated in the name: 6 kg; spin speed listed: 1 400 rpm; B rating; Inverter motor; Wi-Fi.
Leave clear space above the appliance so you can open it, and check the water inlet and waste connections before use.
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Worth considering if you need both refrigeration and freezer space as soon as you move in, and have room for a freestanding appliance.
Listed capacity: 360 L; 3 doors; Total No Frost; E rating; Wi-Fi; My Zone.
Allow for a stable, level surface and enough clearance for ventilation.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a freestanding washing machine and have enough space to open the front door.
Capacity stated in the name: 8 kg; spin speed: 1 400 rpm; Inverter motor; white.
Allow for a stable, level surface and check the water inlet and waste connections.
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Worth considering if your kitchen has a compatible cabinet opening and you’ve arranged a suitable door panel.
Width stated in the name: 60 cm; listed capacity: 14 place settings; D rating.
Check the cabinet opening, door panel and fitting requirements before ordering; the product description recommends installation by a qualified professional.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a fridge-freezer and need to check the available width in your kitchen.
Listed total capacity: 227 L, including 153 L for the fridge and 74 L for the freezer; listed width: 54 cm; reversible door; E rating.
Allow for a stable surface and enough ventilation space around the appliance.
Not necessarily. Check what’s already in your new home and what temporary alternatives are available for keeping food fresh, cooking and doing the laundry. Just because an appliance is common in households doesn’t mean you need one in your home.
Measure the access route and the space where the appliance will go, then mention any access restrictions when arranging delivery. Electrolux’s pre-installation guide asks for details such as the floor, lift and stairs for its service. Confirm the planned drop-off location with the seller.
Not necessarily. Ask for the price and the work included in writing. Electrolux says that the service described by the brand doesn’t include certain joinery work, and that the KESC7300L model is supplied without a furniture door.
Compare the condition, transport and installation as well as the price, then check who is selling the appliance. In France, the Ministry of the Economy says the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a professional to a private individual; it doesn’t apply in the same way to sales between private individuals.
When you buy a new, equivalent electrical appliance, free « one-for-one » take-back must be offered, including for distance sales, according to ecosystem. The arrangements depend on the delivery method, so confirm when ordering where and how your old appliance will be collected.