Moving to a new house is undoubtedly a stressful time in our lives, whether we’re looking forward to moving or not, it certainly takes its toll on even the most organized of people. When it comes to planning a stress-free move, we often overlook what comes next. before deciding on a home.
We’re often focusing heavily on the moving-in aspect and all of the preparations that are needed in the run-up to the big move. But what about factors that come into play after you’ve finally moved into a new house?
Check over the property before moving to a new house
It can seem an overwhelming task to do, but it’ll pay off to be vigilant from the start. The idea is that you want to know your new home inside and out and you know what flaws and problems there might be from the off.
A survey carried out before moving to a new house will hopefully uncover larger problems that would need addressing, but you might want to look out for other issues such as faulty taps, any areas that might be prone to dampness, etc.
As well as checking for faults, you also want to familiarize yourself with where the breaker box is (in case you might need it suddenly) and where your water valves are located. These are the kinds of things that you don’t want to be struggling to find in the case of an emergency. Estate agents will try to place you in a new build as it shouldn’t have any issues and faults to look out for, it may be that you want to check out these new homes, however, they will probably be more expensive than a new home second hand.
Get your utilities connected
You should have arranged the connection of the main house utilities before moving to a new house. If you haven’t done it for one reason or another, do so without delay.
Naturally, the first utility companies to call are the power and water providers. Things will look much brighter and smoother once you have electricity, gas, and running water in your new house. Once you have taken care of the fundamental utilities, consider access to the Internet, phone, and other important services for your day-to-day living needs.
Inspect the boxes
It’s a good idea to have a list of where everything is kept in boxes for moving to a new house (most people will label boxes too) so that you can refer to it later on. If you’re using professional movers then it’s always handy if you can be around in the house to keep an eye on what is coming in as they’re loaded off the truck. If you check off each box as it comes in, you will know immediately if anything is missing or has been left on the vehicle.
Once the house movers leave, take the time to inspect each box and container for visual damage or any other signs of obvious mistreatment. If you find anything broken or damaged, then it’s wise to note down the damage on your list. Contact the company to resolve the issue.
Unpack the essentials first
It often feels that the most challenging part of moving to a new house is the actual moving process. But the unpacking of boxes can take far longer than it takes to load them up in the first place. It might be tempting to get everything out of the boxes and storage. Then to try and find a new home for them immediately.
Moving to a new house is tiring. You’ll want to focus on getting out your essentials first. Then you can move on to arranging where your entire house is going to go. Focus on getting your bedrooms sorted. Then, everyone has a bed ready for the night after a long weary day.
Once you’ve had some rest and got some of your energy back, then you can start thinking about exactly how you are going to arrange your kitchen cupboards. You can decide the finer details of organizing your new home. Work from room to room in a logical fashion. Prioritize rooms that need attending first, such as kids’ rooms and bathrooms.
Think about childproofing
If you’re moving to a new house with children or you expect to have kids come to visit your house, then you will want to have a good scan around to see what the obvious hazards might be and start child-proofing rooms.
When you move to a new house, there could be an array of dangers that you might not immediately notice. Go from room to room, systematically ‘risk assessing’ the hazards that might be there for inquisitive children.
The kitchen, the stairs, the bathroom, and the living room are the likely places that could prove to be a danger for babies and children. Make sure that they are your priority to start with.
Prepare to clean
Whether or not you have been lucky enough to be moving to a new house where the previous owners have a good standard of cleanliness, you are still going to want to clean throughout. Movers coming in and out of your house with perhaps dusty boxes and containers is going to generate a fair bit of dirt and grime throughout your property.
The bathroom/s and kitchen will be your first port of call when it comes to a deep clean. You’ll want them to feel as clean as possible before using them. Even if they physically look clean. Then carpets and flooring can be next once all the moving boxes and trash have been removed from the house. This leaves you free to scour every floor surface.
Consider safety aspects
It’s a good idea to check out what your lock systems are and whether you’re happy with them or not. You will want to get this sorted out straight away. Especially if they’re not up to the standard that you would like. Walk around and check all of the windows and doors and make sure they close securely. Also whether they pose a risk to children. This should definitely be done before moving to a new house.
If they are not already there (and if they are, check that they work), install smoke detectors in every room. It’s worth always having an escape plan out of the house in case of emergencies. Making it known to each family member as to what they should do if anything was to happen. If there isn’t one present, then consider installing a burglar alarm for extra peace of mind.
Final Thoughts on Moving To A New House
By following the tips and suggestions above you can look forward to a calm, stress-free move. Do you have other suggestions to make moving to a new house easier? Please share them in the comments below.