Moving into a new home is always such an exciting time. This is the start of a new chapter for you and your family. And given how chaotic the property market has been here in the UK over the last couple of years, finding a place that you are pleased with at a price that you are happy with is a massive achievement. When you can finally sign the last of those papers, get those keys and organise the movers, you should definitely give yourself a moment to reflect and relax.
However, anyone who has ever bought a home before knows that the list of jobs does not end with “move in.” There are always going to be plenty of things that you need to take care of once the moving van has left and you are standing in your new property. If you do not start addressing these issues, then you run the risk of letting things slide and finding yourself in a difficult position further down the line. Some are minor, such as unpacking and redecorating. Some are more serious, such as making sure that your home is as energy efficient as possible. Here are some of the most important things to take care of when you move into a new home.
Don’t Leave Things In Boxes
There is always going to be the temptation to leave a few boxes unpacked when you first move in. It is perfectly understandable; the moving process is long and arduous and all you are going to want to do is relax. But it is important to go further than plugging in the kettle and the TV in those first few days. If you do not unpack everything as soon as you move in, then there may be cardboard boxes hanging around for months. This is not going to make your new house feel like your new home, so set some time aside to unpack properly.
Address Redecoration Goals Early
Everyone has had the experience of looking around their new home and thinking that they will change something when they move in. There is no accounting for taste, and whether it is wallpaper or carpeting, there is always going to be something that you want to get rid of. However, if you leave it for too long, then you might just start getting used to it, or at least enough to keep putting it off for another month. Try to resist the urge to leave elements of your new home’s décor if they are making you unhappy. It is always easiest to change things early on and there is no reason to be living with someone else’s horrible design choices.
Think About Sustainability
Everyone is doing their best to go greener at the moment, and there are plenty of choices that you can make with your new home which will cut down on your carbon footprint. Something small that you could start with is switching out the current lightbulbs for LED ones. They are just as bright, and they create much less waste energy. You can also think about upgrading your major appliances to more recent models. They will have a better energy efficiency rating and cut down on your energy bills and your carbon footprint. You could also think about installing solar panels. Solar panels have become increasingly popular over the last several years as they have become significantly more affordable. If you want to look at solar panels for home use, head over the Federation of Master Builders. This guide to the selection of the best solar panels on the market in the UK right now tells you everything that you need to know. The FMB have a wide range of resources to help you make the best choices in your home.
Check Your Boiler And Your Plumbing
When you move into a new house, you will have had a survey done to ensure that everything is safe and as the sellers described. However, every homeowner knows that things like the boiler and the plumbing will always pick the worst possible time to break down, and that can often be just after you have moved in when you have just spent all your money getting the place that you wanted. It is always going to be worth paying a plumber to give your pipes a check soon after you move in to make sure that you are not about to face a major disaster. If the boiler has not been inspected in a little while, get it checked now. Replacing a boiler is very expensive and can leave you without heat at the worst possible time. Don’t fall into the trap of leaving this until something breaks down.
Set Up A Proper Home Office
If you, like many of us, are still working from home or hybrid working, then creating a proper home office in your new house should be near the top of your list of priorities. Do not fall into a pattern of working at the kitchen table or from the sofa, as these habits can be hard to kick. If you do not have a proper office chair and desk, for example, then you run the risk of doing some serious damage to your shoulder and spine. So, choose a room in your new house which is going to be your own personal office space. Make sure that you invest in good furniture that will last and which is comfortable to use. Try to find a space that has plenty of natural light, as this is really important for your mental health. Finally, choose a room that has a door that you can close at the end of the day so you can separate your work and your home life.
Check Your Fire Safety Equipment
Speaking of things that you do not want to leave until the last minute, it is vital that you make sure that you have all the proper fire safety equipment after you move into a new home. This is something that so many people forget to check, particularly if they have only lived in rented accommodation before where the landlord or landlady will have had this responsibility. When you move in, test your smoke detectors to see if they are working and install a heat detector in the kitchen if you don’t have one. It may also be worth replacing the batteries in them now so that you know how long they have left. You should also have a fire extinguisher in your home, and it is always worth buying a new one even if the previous owners left theirs behind.
Don’t Be Afraid To Think Big
Finally, a word of encouragement. Buying a new home is a major step, and it can be pretty overwhelming. But you have also invested in a blank slate. This is your space to do with as you please, and if you have had some big ideas cooking over the last few months while you waited for everything to get sorted out, now is the time to put them into action. Do not delay because you’re waiting for the right time, as any homeowner will tell you that there is always a reason to put off major home renovation projects. Do it now while you have momentum so you can really feel like you are making your new home your own.
