From what you say your meter reading corresponds to 7 units, less than a €1 worth probably; just keep a note of the reading and when the reading was taken. The hole that's left in your kitchen cabinetry, are you sure this is not for the built in double oven? Not withstanding this the freestanding fridge can still slot into a cabinet, providing sufficient gaps exist for ventilation and cooling of the fridge rear coils. What the builder probably meant when he said to get a freestanding unit is that the kitchen will not come with doors to suit an integrated fidge, so there's probably no need to worry. Write to the builder and seek written confirmation if in any doubt. From the time you give your solicitor notice to draw down the money and complete the sale it should be possible to close within 2-3 weeks, but again this depends on the efficiency of the solicitors involved.