Major appliances include clothes washers and dryers, stoves, refrigerators and dishwashers. Most houses are built with those in mind although some smaller homes and apartments only plan for the major kitchen appliances and require the tenants to utilize a laundry or laundry service.

Major appliances will be some of the more expensive purchases you make so it only makes sense to get as much value as you can. The best value on a major appliance isn't necessarily the cheapest. A less expensive appliance that does not do everything you desire is of less value to you than a more expensive model that has the features you prefer. By the same token, if your dishwasher has more settings, knobs and bells and whistles than the space shuttle but all you ever use or need is the normal wash cycle, you probably would have gotten better value from the less expensive base model. Cheap appliances are not necessarily the best value.

Before making a major appliance purchase there are six basic questions you should answer before making your selection.

1. What is your budget?

Budget constraints are a fact of life. Generally speaking, if you have a set amount of money budgeted for a purchase and you discipline yourself to stay within that budget you will find or negotiate a better deal. Negotiate? You can't negotiate on major appliances, right? Wrong! There are several ways to negotiate on a major appliance purchase. Most of the big stores have price match guarantees. Some even have price match, plus 10%. So if you find the perfect appliance for say, $800. at one store, see if there is an equivalent at one of their competitors. If their competitor has an equivalent for say $750 then they will match the $750 plus 10% or $75. The final cost of your $800 appliance: $675. I used this method recently to save almost 25% on a new water heater. I know it works.

Negotiate a scratch and dent or floor model. Nearly all stores discount the floor model. Even though it's never been used, it has been touched and handled. Scratch and dents are often kept in the back, out of sight. You will need to ask the salesperson if they have any scratch and dents. If they do and your appliance will placed so that the scratch or dent is hidden from view take the discount. Just ask to make sure that the appliance has the same warranty as a "new" one.

2. How much space do I have?
This one seems elementary, right? You might be surprised how many people buy appliances, especially refrigerators, that won't fit in the space provided by the builder. Use a tape measure. and don't forget to measure back to front as well as side to side. A kitchen appliance that sticks out too far into the room is unsightly.

3. Gas or electric?
Be sure you get the right one. If it's electric make sure it's the right voltage. If it's gas, make sure you get the appropriate natural gas or propane model. You may want to check into which type of unit will be most cost effective in your area. It may pay to make a change. Remember that water heater I got a deal on. I replaced a propane gas unit with an electric. My electric provider had a promotion going on where they would give a credit on the electric bill if I changed out a gas unit. The credit was enough to pay for the electrical work to change the system. And since electricity is cheaper than gas where I live, i'll be saving every month.

4. How many burners?
Four burners or cooking elements on a 30 inch wide cabinet is the standard for a stove. Apartment sizes can go down to 20 inches and two burners while larger units can go up to 60 inches and 6-8 burners. You may want a cooktop and have your oven a separate built in unit.

5. You clean or it cleans?
Self-cleaning ovens are much easier to keep clean but an added cost. A self-cleaning oven will heat up to as much as 900 degrees during the cleaning cycle and burns off anything that has spilled or splattered in the oven. The door is automatically locked during this cycle and unlocks after considerable cooling takes place. You might want to look at convection ovens. By using fans to circulate the hot air they cook faster and more evenly.

6. Refrigerator/freezer configuration?
Do you want a refrigerator with a freezer or a stand alone unit? Do you want a built in that matches your cabinets? How about the freezer - on top, bottom or side by side? Would a refrigerator drawer mounted under the kitchen counter be a good match for you?

If you take into consideration these simple guidelines, you can make your major appliance purchase an enjoyable and satisfactory experience.