Moving into a new house is a time when you will have a lot on your mind and a lot to sort out and get on with. Here are five things that you should do when you move to a new house…
Security First – The security of your home is important and when you move to a new house there are things that you can do to make sure that it is secure. Changing the locks is the first thing to do – when you move to a house, it is uncertain how many people might have keys cut to access the property. For your own security and peace of mind, have the locks changed. You can also look into home security systems like alarms and lighting.
Check the Drains – The drains are an area that we don’t see, so it is hard to know if any problems are occurring under the ground! Checking drains is not something that is easy to do, and it requires specialist equipment, so when you first move into your home, find a specialist like this drain lining Gloucester based company wilkinson-env.co.uk/sewer-repairs-drain-lining-concrete-cutting/drain-repairs/drain-repairs-gloucester to come and have a look at the drains.
Plan Your Unpacking – Although it is tempting to just tear into the boxes when you first move in, it is a good idea to have an unpacking plan, so that you can get everything out in a logical order. Start with essentials and the things that you will need straight away. Once you have this, you can then start to put the right boxes into the right rooms so that they can be unpacked.
Sort out Utilities – The utilities in your home all need to be sorted, as well as cancelling when you leave your old home, you also need to start it up when you move to your new home. Take pictures of the meters in both houses so that you have a record of the readings to provide to the supplier.
Do some Cleaning – When you first move into the house, it is a good time to do some cleaning. Once the furniture goes in, it is hard to get to certain spots, so make the most of the empty space and give it a good deep clean before getting unpacked.
Checks to make on your first day
Before the boxes come off the van, check that everything agreed in the sale is as it should be. If items were meant to be left in the property, make sure they are there, and check that the previous owners have not left rubbish behind in the house or the garden.
An empty house is also the easiest one to clean. Going round before you unpack lets you reach into the corners and give the kitchen and bathrooms a thorough clean, so everything is ready when your belongings go in.
Then find out where the meters and the stopcock are, and check that the heating and water are working properly. Test the broadband and television connections too. If the TV aerial turns out to be faulty, it can be repaired or replaced before you book other installations, which saves time later.
Utilities and finding your way around
Beyond security, a couple of practical jobs are worth doing early. Set up your utilities as soon as possible. Water, gas and electricity come first, but television and broadband often need an engineer visit, so booking them quickly helps you settle in sooner.
Check which days your waste is collected and make sure you have the right bins. If anything is missing, the local council can usually supply replacements.
Take time to learn where the important things are. Find the gas meter, the stopcock that turns off the water supply and the fuse box, so you are not searching for them in an emergency. Child and pet proofing, along with a home alarm, are also worth considering once the basics are in place.