Moving into a new house is a very exhausting process. Packing the entire stuff, sorting, and labeling your things is an extremely hectic job.
Apart from this, there is another list of tasks. New houses have their problems that need to be sorted out before you move into them. The best way to deal with this is to make a list of all the basic things that you would be needing in your new place. After you have created that list, go and check your new house and see how fast those things can be set up. These things include utilities, flooring, ceiling, water pressure in the taps, electrical wiring, any mold or leakages in walls, plumbing, and so on. All of these things need to be dealt with before you shift. Trust me, it’s very important for your smooth transition that the basic stuff is up and running. If you have a family or children, then it can be a mess if your household necessities are not fulfilled after you have already moved out of your current residence to the new one. So, to save you from potential headaches, we have listed down these basic things you should watch out for when moving into a house.
1. Have the house cleaned professionally
If you are moving into a new place, then there will be a lot of construction material left over, like nails, wood shavings, metal pieces, wiring, tiles, and other building material. If you are moving into a secondhand house then there must be some waste left by previous tenants or owners, like electronics, carpets, ceramics, etc. You can clean it yourself, but if you are short on time and don’t know the right way to dispose of the material, it is better to get help.
You can hire a company for rubbish removal in Sydney to take care of these things. It will save you time and help you get rid of things you don’t need if you hire rubbish removal. Plus, the waste will be rightly recycled or disposed of. You can clean the house yourself too, but cleaning the whole house from top to bottom can be very hard. Thus, it is recommended to have it professionally cleaned and wiped thoroughly at least once. Maybe, get it disinfected too, this extra precaution is particularly important for those with young children. Nothing comes before your safety and health.
2. Get the utilities set up
Before you move into the new house, make sure that the wiring and plumbing are in a good state. Check the fuse box to see if everything is in order. Do tests of all plugs and switches and find out what button turns on which light and appliance.
Also, find out where the main water supply valve is and if is in working condition. Ensure that there are no leakages or wetness in walls and ceilings. Leaks can open up in a very short period, and the only way to avoid them is by being vigilant and keeping water pipes intact. You should also check if the boiler is functional because you would certainly not want to use cold water, especially when you have children. Having sick kids on top of moving into a new house isn’t something you want in your life.
Moreover, set up your stove’s gas connection and see that there are no gas leakages. A completely functional kitchen is essential for any household.
3. Baby Proof your home
If you are a family with young children or toddlers, make sure to baby-proof the new house. The residences we have been living in, we know about them that which place or corner can be dangerous for our child, so we already block or cover that area up. But, when you move into a new place, you will be busy with unpacking and setting the house up, so you won’t be able to keep an eye on your baby. Therefore, it is wise to cover up all the switches beforehand that are going to be in his/her range.
Besides, make sure that there are no nails or pointed things sticking out. Don’t forget to put a baby door in front of the stairs if you have any in the house.
4. Change your address
Another important thing that new homeowners tend to forget is to change their home addresses. You need to change your residential address on your licenses and insurance. Also, switch your mailing address in banks or any other place that send you mail. We are sure that you don’t want your confidential mail from banks falling into someone else’s hands. If by any chance, you have to pay for a ticket or some other tax, you will miss out on the deadline because you were not receiving the mail.
To avoid any mix-ups and missing important mail, it’s better to change your home addresses before you move in.
5. Set up your security system
When moving into your new home, it is common sense to change all the locks. You don’t know how many people know the lock and codes of the house. You also can’t be sure if the previous tenant has given you all the keys and hasn’t kept any duplicates for himself. So, change the locks of all the doors and windows that can be accessed from the outside.
Set up your alarm system before you move in and get it activated by the security company. Also, install a doorbell and answering machine too. When moving to a new neighborhood, one has to be extra careful. Get to know your neighbors too while setting up the new house.
6. Adjust the basic interior beforehand
Things like carpet flooring and wallpapering should be done before you move in. Fixing of mirrors, cabinets, hooks, and cloth pegs should all be done beforehand. Because you don’t want to be moving around with a drill machine and making a mess over your unpacked things. It’s always better to set your electronics in their places too, before starting to unpack other stuff. For example, your refrigerator needs at least 3 hours for its gas to settle before being turned on again in a new place.
Hang your curtains in advance too, or you will have zero privacy at night when you turn on the lights. Plus, you won’t be able to sleep either with the morning sun shining at full on your face.
7. Check out the schools and childcare centres in the area
Before you move into a new area, it is always a good idea to check out the schools and/or the childcare centres in the area to ensure you’re happy with the choices. One thing that is important to note is that you check the availability, particularly of child care centres, as the most popular choices usually fill up quickly and may have a waiting list. Luckily, for parents in Australia, there are ways of solving this problem in advance. Using a service such as Toddle.com.au will enable parents to find the most suitable child care in their local area and contact the centre directly.
Summation:
Moving into a new home is also a perfect time to throw away all the things that you don’t use or need anymore. It can be a sort of spring cleaning. Throw away old clothes, broken furniture, moth-eaten carpets, or stuff you have hoarded away unconsciously. Meanwhile, it is also a golden chance to set up your new home to your taste. You can color coordinate, buy new furnishings, etc. Embellish your new house in a particular style, such as you can go for a modern look with monotone colors and metallic furniture. Or maybe, you are a fan of classics, so go with carved wooden furniture and patterned rugs. Moving into a new house is, in a way, starting afresh. You just have to take care of the points mentioned above to make the process smooth. Enjoy your new residence!
