After finding and closing on the perfect house, it’s important to create an atmosphere you feel comfortable in to make your new place more secure and homely. Following this simple guide should give you an idea of how to tie up the loose ends in the final stages of moving, and it will introduce you to a few things to keep in mind as you occupy your new residence.
Do What you Can Before Movers Unpack
Since it’s always easier laying tarps and taping hard to reach corners without anything in the way, try to paint the rooms in your new home before your items are unpacked. Remember to keep track of the paint samples you use so you can reference them later.
Another thing best taken care of before the movers arrive is thoroughly cleaning your new home. Once your items are placed, it will be difficult to have direct access to every nook and cranny, so take the time to finish any flooring repairs you’re interested in, dust and sanitize hard to reach areas, and clean or install new carpeting.
If you feel rushed for time, remember Austin Moving & Storage offers storage solutions where we’ll keep your items until your new home is ready. Various cleaning and painting companies also have the necessary equipment and experience to take care of these things properly and efficiently. Making sure they come out before the movers arrive will mean they’ll finish the job more quickly, and at a lower price than it would be when moving your items out of the way.
Update your Address
To finalize your move, it’s important you change your address at your post office or on the USPS website. This way mail can be forwarded to your new residence and you’ll have proper documentation for official business going forward. Stop by your bank to inform them of these new changes, and take account of recurring payments that were setup with your old address. It’s also important you take the proper steps to update your voter and vehicle registration.
Turn On Utilities
Important utilities like water, garbage collection, internet and TV, and heating from gas or oil are vital to a comfortable life in your new home. Be sure to contact these companies in advance so service is available by the time you move in. They’re often busy, and you never know their availability until you ask and schedule someone to come out.
Familiarize Yourself with the Circuit Box
Your circuit box is what controls the power flow to each room in your home, and you don’t have to be an electrician just to operate it. Once you find it, take note of every switch; they should be labeled, and every one of them will be flipped on or off indicating whether a room is being supplied power.
If you run into a situation where everything goes dark in a single room immediately after plugging something in, it probably means you were drawing too much power for a particular room. Unplug the device, and head to the circuit breaker. You’ll likely notice a switch in the opposite direction of all the others, and all you need to do is flip it back to restore power.
Change Filters
Filters in air vents, used dishwashers, dryers, swimming pools, and refrigerators that provide drinking water should all be replaced because you can’t ever be sure when they were last serviced. By completing this when you move in, you’ll be confident the services they provide are sanitary, and you’ll establish a solid baseline to know when they’ll need to be replaced again.
Cut Electric Bill
Each window in your new home should be fully sealed when closed, and should operate smoothly when opened. Improperly sealed windows reduce energy efficiency and increase your utility bills because the heating and cooling system compensates for the difference in temperature between inside and out. A little bit of caulk may be enough for small jobs, but in older homes it’s often a good idea to replace them entirely with something more modern.
Another great way to cut bills and increase energy efficiency is by replacing old incandescent bulbs with modern LED ones. There has been a lot of advancement in this technology in recent years, and there are options that provide bright white light, and more subdued orange tones that emulate older bulbs. The initial cost is well worth what you’ll save in the price of energy, especially if you’re currently running powerful halogen bulbs.
Service Appliances
A new home often means a new set of large appliances, and if they aren’t all brand new this is one of the best times to have them serviced. HVAC systems are important in hot months, while heating systems are crucial in colder weather. Make sure they’re operating to maximum efficiency and how you expect them to. An unexpected failure when you need them most is extremely frustrating, and last minute notice for repairs can be costly.
Water heaters should be flushed and cleaned every year, but they’re often forgotten about, and you likely don’t know the last time this has been done. Clearing them of sediment will keep them operating at maximum efficiency, increase their lifespan, and give you peace of mind that the water is sanitary.
If you have a basement, your sump pump is a crucial appliance that can make the difference between a disastrous flood, and a perfectly dry and comfortable place to store important belongings. Make sure it’s functioning properly so you aren’t caught off guard in the event of a rainstorm or flash flooding.
Change Locks
For security and peace of mind, it’s a good idea to replace the locks on doors and other entry points to your new home. You can’t be certain who has the old keys, so it’s best to simply replace the mechanism that secures your home in the first place.
Safety Items
For safety, always know where your gas, electric, and water shutoff valves are. This way you’ll be able to point to them when you have someone out to service them. In colder environments, it’s important to know where you water shut off is in the event of a deep freeze.
Be sure to turn it off if you suddenly notice a reduction in water pressure while the temperature is less than 32 degrees, because it’s likely a sign your pipes are beginning to freeze. If you don’t shut off the water, you run the risk of pressure building and having them burst. Burst pipes are a costly repair which also entails flooding when they thaw back out, so it should be avoided at all costs.
Be sure to test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors as well. If your home has been lived in previously, make sure your dryer vents are clear of lint buildup. Doing so increases the appliances efficiency, while also reducing the risk of a fire catching.
Keep a Notebook
A physical log is a wonderful way to keep all pertinent home improvement records together and in one place going forward. The best time to start keeping track is right after you move into a new home. A simple binder with paint samples, receipts, the dates and times your appliances have been serviced, and parts numbers for filters and other non-standard items can make preventative maintenance and upkeep a breeze for all future projects.
Austin Moving and Storage is Here for You
We hope this starter guide for the first things to do in your new home has given you some ideas of what to take care of after moving into your new place. Remember, Austin Moving and Storage Company has you in mind from start to finish, so feel free to investigate our moving services to see how we can help make your relocation a breeze.