Priorities to Take Care of When Moving In a New House
Buying a new house and moving is an exciting process, and it’s easy to see why – you get to start with a clean slate and begin your life someplace new. However, when the time comes to move, many homeowners aren’t exactly sure where to start and which tasks they’ll be better off tackling right away. To help get you started, we’re sharing a list of priorities you need to take care of before you move into your new home. Take notes!
Consider which packing strategy to use
The first thing you should do is consider your packing strategy. Will you be packing room by room or will you categorize items into groups (clothes, books, decor, etc.) and pack with that in mind? Whichever way you choose to go, be sure to eliminate anything you don’t really wear or use anymore to lighten the load. Label the boxes so you can stay organized when the time comes to unpack, and if some boxes contain fragile items, be sure to clarify that to avoid any accidents. You should also use one box to pack all the necessities for your first day in a new home and label it differently so it stands out.
Think about transport
To ensure your moving day goes as smooth as possible, you want to choose reliable movers with a high level of professionalism and a good reputation. Moving interstate is becoming increasingly popular in Australia, and it’s usually for a stronger economy, better job opportunities, or more affordable housing. Whatever the reason for the move may be, moving can be quite frustrating, which is why Aussie homeowners choose to hire reputable movers from Gold Coast – that way, they can have peace of mind knowing that their belongings are in good hands. Some moving companies will provide the packing materials and storage services and others will even offer to do the packing for you and take some load off your shoulders.
Check the plumbing and wiring
Another two items to cross off your to-do checklist, plumbing and wiring need to be thoroughly inspected before you move into your new home. Look for running toilets, dripping faucets, and leaking water heaters to make sure your new house is leak-free. Also, be sure to check for mold and condensation traces while you’re at it. As for the wiring, it’s best to upgrade it now while the house is still empty. As much as you might think you can handle electrical work on your own, trying to DIY your electrical installations is not only dangerous but often illegal (e.g. in Australia). Therefore, it’s best to find a licensed and experienced professional to do the work for you and make sure everything is done safely and properly.
Change the locks on your exterior doors
Once you’ve finally moved in, your top priority would be to ensure your home is safe and secure. There is no way of knowing how many people other than the previous owner have the key to your new house, so it’s best not to take any chances and change the locks on your exterior doors as soon as possible. Hire a locksmith to either re-key the existing locks or change them for new ones. This will ensure that none other than you and your family members have access to your new home and keep your property safe.
Give your new home a thorough clean
Even though it’s a standard for the previous owners to clean the house before new homeowners move in, it doesn’t hurt to go through the process once again on your own (or hire help if you’re strapped for time). Give your cabinets and counters a thorough scrub, wash down the plumbing fixtures, and scrub the windows until they’re gleaming with perfection. Leave no nook or cranny untouched, and consider swapping out the old toilet seats for new ones so that your new home feels truly yours.
Freshen up the walls and floors
Once everything has been scrubbed down, washed and polished, it’s time to move on to larger surfaces. Floors and walls are easier to work with while there’s still no furniture inside, so use this opportunity to ensure your new home looks spick and span from top to bottom. Tackle any cracks and holes in the wall before you coat the walls with a fresh lick of paint and stick with neutrals for each room to give your home a sense of unity. If there are carpets, consider steam-cleaning them, and if the floors look a bit old or damaged, now’s the best time to refinish them so that your new house is off to a fresh start.
Moving houses is a huge task on its own, so it’s understandable that you wouldn’t like any extra chores on your plate. However, these six tasks are better tackled sooner rather than later as they’ll provide you with a functional living space. Check them off your moving to-do list so you can start off on the right foot.
