When you finally close on your dream home, or hear the word from the contractors that your renovations are nearly done, it’s sure to be a weight off of your chest. But even the most sparkling homes will require a few more tweaks before you can back the moving truck up the driveway and begin to unload. Speaking of moving trucks, that is so important for new homeowners. When moving into a new house, it’s important to try and fit the majority of your possessions into one van if possible. Usually, most people achieve this by using a moving company, like MC Movers Houston for example. This keeps all of their items together, allowing them to move into their new home quickly. Moving companies can also relieve some of the stress of moving house! Before you do start putting your possessions into your new house, there are just a few things to do to prep your home.
1. Find the Circuit Breaker and Main Water Valve
Whether you’re prepping for a major storm or simply swapping out a light bulb, it’s important that you know where the circuit breaker and main water valve are in case of repairs and emergencies. For the circuit breaker, make sure to test and label each switch, so you know what section of the house each one controls. The main water valve, which will save you from any big plumbing disasters, is usually located in the basement or on an outside wall in a utility area.
2. Cover Easily Scratchable Walls
One of the best things about a newly renovated home is that fresh coat of paint on the wall. One of the worst things is when furniture scratches against those walls during move-in day, leaving gouges and friction marks. You can protect any high risk areas with plastic, packing blankets, or cloth and a little packing tape.
3. Check Attics and Garages
Both attics and garages can be popular living spaces for unwanted animal guests, so be sure to give them both a full sweep before moving in. If this is a new home, take measurements as well to gauge the space’s storage capacity. This will allow you to outfit the walls with storage shelves, hooks and drawers before you stuff it full of boxes, making unpacking a much more direct and smooth process.
4. Take Proper Security Measures
Moving into a new home or one that’s had many different workers moving in and out necessitates a number of preventative security measures, and it’s worth taking a look at a good home security guide to get yourself established.
Start by changing all of the locks and reprogramming the garage door opener because, really, who knows how many copies of that key have been made over the years? Next, ensure that all of the smoke detectors are working and that you have extra batteries nearby. You’ll also want to place fire extinguishers in key places, and store a first aid kit in an easy to access location, all before you sleep a single night in your house.
On top of that, you may want to give a household security system a try, especially if you live in a high risk neighborhood. Security system signs on your windows or in your lawn can be a good deterrent, but nothing beats a real system with an easy to reach operator. Ask your neighbors about any neighborhood watch program as well.
5. Give Your Home a Thorough Clean
If you’re moving back in after a renovation, your home is likely covered in plaster and other materials, and even if you’re just moving into a new home, there are few opportunities like an empty home for a deep clean. Start by steam cleaning the carpets and giving those wood floors a good buff. Wipe out the kitchen cabinets and lay down wall or contact paper to protect the wood. You’ll also want to give your fridge a good clean (if it’s already in your home), and you’ll definitely want to replace those toilet seats if you’re buying from a previous owner. Beyond that, all normal cleaning rituals apply, you just might want to be more thorough than usual to get yourself off to a good start.
6. Spray for Pests
Pests are excellent at hiding, but they’re there, even if you don’t see them. Since you want to avoid any exterminations when you’re in the home (no one wants to breathe in those nasty chemicals), have an exterminator stop by for an inspection before move-in day. This will at least give the house time to air out before you’re living there.
7. Stock Your Refrigerator
Moving is a long, laborious, energy-draining task, and nothing makes that worse than a hungry stomach, except, maybe, the accompanied whining. Having some cool drinks and a few key snacks in your fridge can go a long way towards keeping everyone in a good mood. And hey, maybe your movers will be a little more delicate when you’re feeding them snacks.
8. Install Window Treatments
Your joy at being “all moved in” will be cut in half when day turns to night and you realize both nosy neighbors and thieves can see all of your stuff splayed throughout your lit up house. Taking the time to install curtains and blinds beforehand will give you peace of mind, and it will also help you in snagging some well-deserved shut eye.
9. Get Acquainted With Your Neighborhood
While hauling around boxes is stressful, so, too, is not knowing where all of your neighborhood comforts are located. You’ll have a much easier time if you spend a little time before your move in date getting to know the neighborhood, whether that’s introducing yourself to the neighbors or finding the grocery store and the local park. This way, you’ll already have your safety nets lined up when it’s time to move.
10. Set Up Utilities
Hooray! You’ve moved in! You’re all ready to go! And then you flick on the lights, and…nothing. Yeah, don’t be that person. Make sure you’ve set up water, electricity and perhaps even internet and cable, so you can get down to relaxing…and showering.
In Short
Moving (or moving back in) can be a stressful affair, but only if you let it be. With these 10 items checked off of your list, you’ll get yourself moved in, set up and enjoying your new home in no time.