Moving into a new home is exciting. moving companies in Jacksonville It may be one of the most exciting days of your life if this will be your first house. And since it’s also quite expensive, you would want to do everything possible to protect your investment.
Cratos Moving has put together the most important guidelines for you on what to do when you move to a new home. All readers are also offered a discount on moving when they click on the link above and requesting a quote through our website. We hope this article will be useful to you!
Here are 17 things to do when moving into a new home:
Furniture assembly
Hire professional furniture assemblers to avoid injuries and accidents particularly with heavy pieces like cabinets or beds. If you plan to assemble them on your own, make sure that all tools are included in the package upon delivery.
Check water and gas lines
It’s recommended that you call the local utility companies immediately after moving in to shut off your utilities and set up an account with them. This way, you can stop worrying about bills while settling in your new home. Also, it’s important to check for any leaks or damages especially on the water and gas lines before using the appliances so as not to incur expensive repair costs.
Floor protection
Although most of your furniture will probably arrive there on a truck already covered with blankets, you should still get some good quality floor protectors just to be safe. You would not want scratches on freshly polished floors, right?
Service entrance pest control
Make sure that the service entrances of your home are pest-free. Involve the services of a reputable pest control company to ensure that all entry points are secured against these tiny creatures which can cause so much damage, not only in appearance but also in terms of sanitation.
Check for roof leaks
If you have noticed any stains on your ceiling or walls, call a professional roofing contractor to check whether there are leaks or not. Leaks can be extremely expensive to repair and they may pose dangerous risks like electrical fires and mold growth.
Replace locks and keys
If your new house comes with old locks and keys (or if you’ve decided to change them), make sure that you get it done by a professional. You would not want break-ins especially since you will be leaving your house empty while you’re at work.
Landscaping
It’s always a good idea to landscape your home especially if it’s one of the priorities that you’ve listed in your moving-in checklist. Find reputable landscapers to keep your yard neat and well-maintained for years to come. You can also do this on your own but still, ensure that all plant materials are appropriate for the climate conditions in your area.
Trimming shrubs and trees
In addition to landscaping, trimming the hedges and the trees is also suggested since they may obstruct sightlines from windows or doors or simply because it would require occasional maintenance which can be very time consuming if done by hand.
Furniture arrangement
Now that all your furniture has been unpacked, stand back and assess the room. Arrange your furniture based on your needs or preferences to make it more functional and welcoming. And if you have any plans of rearranging later on, consider hiring a professional carpenter to do it for you. The last thing you’d want is a splintered sofa!
Inspect appliances
Lastly, go over each appliance before using them to ensure that these are in proper working condition. If anything seems off, call the service line immediately so that they can send technicians at the soonest possible time available.
Have a food inspection
Have your new home inspected by a pest control company before using the kitchen. After all, you wouldn’t want to get an annoying roach problem just weeks after moving in, right?
Schedule annual inspections and maintenance
Ensure that you book appointments for annual termite and pest inspections and also call the service line to check if any repairs or maintenance is required. These simple steps will help reduce maintenance costs while maximizing your investment.
Get insurance on furniture and electronics
Your new house probably doesn’t include appliances and other expensive items like jewelry. Make sure that these are insured with fire and theft protection policies so you won’t have to worry about costly replacements once they go missing or get damaged due to negligence.
Plan your landscaping
It’s always a good idea to plan the landscaping of your home, especially if it’s one of the priorities that you’ve listed in your moving-in checklist. Find reputable landscapers to keep your yard neat and well-maintained for years to come. You can also do this on your own but still, ensure that all plant materials are appropriate for the climate conditions in your area.
Check out local crime report
If you’re in a new neighborhood, take some time and look up each street on Google Maps in order to get an overview of the reports about criminal activity around the neighborhood. After all, it is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to keeping yourself and your loved ones protected.
Water heater flush
If you haven’t done this already, it is recommended that you flush out the water heater every 6 months to get rid of any sediments that might have built up in it. This will not only extend its lifespan, but also prevent possible leaks and other water-related issues.
Check items delivered with your moving company
It can be easy to forget about having to check what was delivered by the movers until the day before you are required to pay them their due fees for services rendered. Make sure you review all the items that were brought to your new home by the movers and make a list of any missing items.
After these steps, you can finally relax and enjoy your new home knowing that all the important things have been taken care of!