Even though moving to a new home can be tiring and stressful, it happens often. In 2021 alone, over 300,000 households moved to new homes. Congratulations on successfully moving and having finally got all your belongings into your new home. That’s a huge step! But it’s important you don’t give up now. If anything, you should be energized to complete the next steps to help you finally settle comfortably and safely into your new home. Here are some important checks to make after moving to a new home:
*This is a collaborative post.
*This is a collaborative post.Unpack
People handle the effects of moving differently, especially when unpacking. For some people, unpacking in a new home makes them excited and use it as an opportunity to change things up for a new look. Others simply hate to unpack. Whichever type of person you are, some basic steps make unpacking still exciting but also bearable.
Before you start unpacking, it’s best to have a system of operation. You can’t just open random boxes as and when. Instead, ensure that you have a list of items in your inventory and where you want to place these items. If you labeled these boxes, ensure that you check out any labels or quickly examine each box’s content before emptying it for the best results.
You can also start unpacking by taking out your essential items. These are things that keep your home running and allow you to be comfortable, including toiletries, important paperwork, computer and phone chargers, medication, and some basic food items. Most people also prefer starting from the kitchen to the bedroom, bathroom, and other areas.
If you live alone, you can also recruit some friends and family to help you unpack. The more people you have, the faster you will get with unpacking. You can turn it into a fun activity and provide food and drinks to motivate them, so keep this in mind. When it comes to unpacking, it’s best to have a logical order to help complete the process.
Install your home security system
Burglary is a common crime in the UK, and studies show that the average value of stolen items per household is £2,856. When you move to a new home, it is the perfect time to invest in a home security system. New residents and homes are targets for burglars, and with so many people moving in and out of your home as you settle, it is likely that some neighbors wouldn’t even notice an ongoing burglary.
Home security systems are one of the preventive measures you can take to protect your home. You can speak to an expert for the best security system that will protect your homes from burglars and fires, and other threats. You can also customize your system with important features such as carbon monoxide detectors, smart locks, and outdoor surveillance cameras. They can be quite costly but ultimately worth it considering the peace of mind it brings. Home security companies like Clarke Infinity have a wide range of surveillance systems designed to keep you and your new home safe.
Change your locks
Another security measure worth considering is changing your locks. Why? Because when you move into your new home, you don’t know how many keys to your locks are around and who has them. Ultimately, it can be a security risk to you and the other people you might be living with. Once you change your locks, it makes the other keys useless.
Although it wouldn’t exactly prevent break-ins, it would prevent anyone from entering your home easily. You can either choose to replace or rekey locks. Replacing means changing the entire lock and handle. To rekey your locks means realigning your lock to match a new key. Rekeying is more common if you live in a flat and you can either do it by yourself or get a locksmith.
Create a maintenance calendar and checklist
You must create a maintenance schedule for your home’s upkeep to ensure smooth running. Most households run maintenance on appliances, heating and cooling, security, electrical systems, and the home’s exterior. In some instances, you might be required to schedule some home improvement tasks when you move in, such as painting or having shelves installed. However, ensure that the property management company or the previous owner takes care of any repairs that require attention.
While you might need a professional to handle special maintenance checks, there are a few things you can also do around your new home. Regular cleaning is a type of maintenance check. You can also change light bulbs, unclog drains, and rake leaves. If you are not handy or not well-versed in handling appliances, you should leave that to a professional. If you have moved to a new home in a different neighborhood, you can research the type of services you will need and gather contact information from service providers for when you will need them.
Contact utility and service providers
Ideally, you should ensure that your new home is well connected before moving in. But, if you missed that, it should be one of the first tasks you do when you move in. Moving to a new location gives you the opportunity to revise your TV and internet plans, so you can research into what plans are available and compare pricing from different providers. For faster results, ensure that you schedule installation in advance so that you are not out of touch for a long time. Once you officially move in, you must contact all your utility providers like electricity, water services, gas services, and rubbish collectors to update your address.
Garage storage
You might be tempted to store items in your garage. After all, it is where most tools and unused items end up until they are needed. But it is important that you have a solid plan for storing items in your garage, especially if you intend to park your car in there as well. One of the best things you can do is build or buy storage shelves to provide more space for your items and not let your garage become cluttered. If you do not have that much space for your extra storage boxes, you might want to consider renting a storage unit for a period until you figure out what to do next.
Locate important units
When you move into a new home, it takes time to familiarize yourself with the house and all-important items and units. One of the first things to do when you move into a new home is to locate its shut-off valves, as well as the circuit breaker. It’s important to know where your valves are in the event of an emergency water leak or if you will need to shut off your water during repairs or upgrades. Typically, you would locate the valve shortly after where the water pipe enters your home. That could be under your kitchen sink or, in some instances, in an airing cupboard or under the stairs.
A time might also come when you will need to reset your circuit or replace a blown fuse, and it is not fun searching for the circuit box in the dark. Most circuit breakers are found in the garage, storage room, under the stairs, or even outdoors. You can ask an electrician for guidance if you don’t know how to use it. It’s always better to be prepared.
Prepare for lock-out situations
This tip is great, especially if you live alone. Every once in a while, you might get locked out of your home. It happens! What’s important is that you have a solid backup plan for when that time comes. The best thing about having a plan is that you can be as creative as you like. While most people usually hide a spare key under their doormats, it’s not the best choice. Most intruders check under doormats and flowerpots for spare keys when they want to break into your home.
You can place your spare key into a fake rock that easily blends in with your landscape or even under a loose brick in your pavement. If you have a trusted neighbor, you can also leave your spare key with them. Apart from providing you with keys when you’re locked out, they can also keep an eye on your property or attend to an emergency quickly when you are not around. If you don’t want the problem of being locked out, you can opt for a smart door lock. These locks notify you each time your front door is unlocked, and you can control the locks remotely with a mobile app.
For the best results when settling into your new home, it’s good to set timely goals (daily, weekly, or monthly) for yourself. You can also ask your loved ones to help you or hire professional services to get the job done in record time. Moving to a new home is exciting, so you must enjoy it every step of the way.
*Disclaimer – This is a collaborative post. This post has been pre-written.
