Britons spend an average of £10,743 on essential costs such as furniture and property upgrades within the first five years of buying. A Furniture Choice survey shows homeowners will spend £700 on changing flooring, over £1,000 replacing or repairing windows and £3,140 on furniture and white goods – among other costs. “Budgeting for these purchases before you buy a house will indicate how much you will need to save,” says Tom Obbard from Furniture Choice. “Having an emergency buffer in place will limit any financial strain.”