Moving experiences can be a lot of fun, but is also a lot of work, and much of the work only starts once you’ve moved into your new places. Move ins are awesome, though, because you get to make a new house your home and personalize it so it’s truly yours. Whether you like to focus only on the interior or enjoy making the yard your own as well, there are many considerations to keep in mind after your move ins, and this article aims to help you have a neat checklist.
Use the list shared here to ensure you sort out every possible task that needs to be taken care of and don’t miss anything. This is an extensive list, but if there’s anything you need to add, do so! After all, it’s your own experience that you’re focused on.
Landscape the Yard
One of the most exciting things about move ins is looking at a garden or yard and coming up with various ideas on what you can do to make it look more amazing. Landscaping is a lot of hard work but can be so much fun too, so start contacting a bulk organic soil supplier as soon as possible!
Once you’ve unpacked all your household items, spend some time in your yard and start coming up with ideas on how to make it look even more beautiful. It doesn’t matter if you want more colorful flowers or something interesting and unique like a bamboo fence and a Japanese-inspired pond, it’s your yard to change how you wish.
Build a Deck
If your new home doesn’t have a deck yet, why not add one? It’s the perfect way to create a place where you, your family, and your friends can come together and appreciate the beauty of your new place. Yes, building a deck can be lots of work and you’ll have to contact composite metal decking companies and other businesses for assistance and resources, but it can greatly improve how your new home looks.
Just be sure that you plan the deck carefully, use the right tools and materials, and don’t skimp on the manual labor. If you have to hire professionals, do that rather than hiring cheap laborers who don’t know how to do it properly. And have fun, that’s what move ins should be all about!
Repair Your Driveway
If you chose a fix-it-upper, chances are your new home has a few areas that need some TLC. If your driveway is one of those areas, don’t despair. In fact, it can be a good thing because a new or renovated driveway can truly change how a home and yard looks. So, start reaching out to the best local concrete driveway company and find out how much it will cost to completely change yours. All move ins come with some hard work, and repairing your driveway may just have to be one of your labors of love.
Add New Furniture
If you’ve moved from a small home to a bigger one, or vice versa, it’s likely that you have to change the furniture you have. You may have to buy more or find smaller items that will fit your new home better. If you’re looking for high-quality furniture, it may be best to avoid flea markets and yard sales and opt for more professional sources. An amish furniture service, for example, will likely have better quality furniture made with more care and skill. These items will probably last much longer and look fantastic for years.
Install a Pool
If you decide to move into a home without a swimming pool, you can always opt for installing one yourself. This will naturally require a bit of work on your side and cost a bit of money, but if you’re in a hot area, it will definitely be worth the sacrifice. You can partner up with a pool company to ensure that the project is successful and you don’t end up with a pool that has many flaws or problems.
Remodel the Bathroom
Bathroom and bath remodeling is one of the reasons move ins are so exciting—it’s just so much fun to look at the bathroom and think of ways you can make it even better. Adding new tiles, changing the theme colors, installing a new bath or toilet, going from a shower to a claw tub, and using different flooring are just a few of the fantastic ways you can completely transform a house’s bathroom.
Fix Your RV
Once you’ve moved into your new home, you can start focusing on all those projects you were always so passionate about but never found the time. You know, such as buying the right rv parts and repairing your vehicle like you’ve wanted to for months now. Or start a vegetable garden, start painting landscapes using your backyard as inspiration, or become the BBQ king or queen you know you should be! Let your new home be the foundation and inspiration for many new and exciting chapters in your life.
Clean Out Your Home
Although cleaning your new home probably isn’t something you’re looking forward to, you will have to do it as soon as possible. See this as an opportunity to discover every nook and cranny of your new home and familiarize yourself with your new place. While you’re cleaning indoors, don’t neglect the outside. Find local dumpster rentals and get rid of any debris and rubbish you don’t want in your new yard. If you want to remove some dead plants too, this would be the perfect time.
Repair the Furnace
Furnaces are awesome and really good ones can truly make you love a home, but they also require regular cleaning and maintenance. If the previous owner didn’t have the time or knowhow to properly take care of their furnace, you should take the time to do so. If the furnace is in poor condition, you may have to contact a local furnace repair service to help you properly take care of it and avoid damaging it further. It’s best not to try and repair a furnace on your own unless you’re skilled in the field.
Hire a Plumber
If there is one thing that can make move ins less exciting it’s when the plumbing in your new home isn’t up to scratch and needs repair. In many cases, you won’t be able to tell immediately if the plumbing is faulty or damaged, but a good inspection should let you know what needs attention. If you don’t trust your own opinion, hire a plumber for leak repair and pipe damage evaluation so you know you’re addressing all possible issues.
Set Up In-Home Safety Measures
One of the most important things new owners have to do after move ins is take care of the security in their home. You need to set up safety measures for your entire home and yard as well as ensure there are safety measures set up for your children and pets. For example, new alarm systems, security cameras, and smoke detectors should be installed, while you also need to make sure electrical cords are properly placed and cabinets storing toxic materials are securely locked.
Get A Security System
In addition to installing alarms for the inside of your home, you should also consider adding a reliable security system that can monitor the entirety of your property. These systems are great when used along with exterior cameras and motion detection lights. You can install a doorbell camera as well, which can add to the overall security of your home. While you’re at it, change the locks on your home. You don’t know who could still have keys to your home without your knowledge.
Test The Smoke Detectors And HVAC System
As previously mentioned, smoke and fire detectors are important for the safety of you and anyone who spends time in your home. Make sure that you test the currently installed detectors and if they don’t live up to your expectations, replace them. It’s also a good idea to test your HVAC system so you can immediately know if there’s a problem with it. You need to be sure that your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems are working as they should.
Update Your Address
Another thing that people tend to forget during move ins is the importance of updating their address. There are many businesses and services that need your address to deliver the services you want, and you need to make sure they have your current address so there are no misunderstandings or frustrations. Updating your address can also help ensure you don’t forget to pay any bills that are being mailed to the wrong home!
Transfer Utilities
While we’re on the subject of paying your bills, you need to remember to turn off the utilities at your old home and ensure they’re transferred to your new home. You may have to research utility providers before you move to make sure you’re choosing one that is the best option for you and your family. Keep in mind that you may have to pay a transfer fee as well as a charge to set up the new service at your new home. Utilities that need to be set up for new homes include gas, water, electricity, and trash collection.
Locate the Fuse Box and Water Valve
The last thing you want in your new home is to search around for the water valve and fuse box when you really need them. To avoid panic and frustration in an emergency situation, identify the locations of your home’s water valve and fuse box as soon as you move in and make sure to note it down for everyone else. Should you need to turn off the water or power for some reason, you’ll all know where to do so.
Set Up Connectivity
Once you’ve moved in, it’s time to set up all the various connectivity services you and your family want and need. This includes phone services, the internet, TV, and so on. Some providers will let you transfer their services from one home to another one, so call your providers and ask them if you can keep having access and simply move things around a bit. This can help you avoid paying connection fees. You may still have to pay a relocation fee, depending on the service providers’ policies.
Get A New License And Register Your Car
It may feel like a hassle, but if you move into a new area, you have to register your car again and get a new license. If you’ve moved to a completely new state, you’ll need to update your licence through your local DMV. It’s important that you take care of this as soon as possible—you’ll normally get between ten days and two months to sort your licence out.
Update Your Important Documentation
There are many documents you need to update once you’ve moved to a new house, and this is in addition to your driver’s licence. You’ll have to make changes to your tax documentation, the Social Security Administration needs to be informed of your new address if you receive any Social Security benefits, and insurance companies need to make adjustments to your coverage since you’re in a new home and neighborhood.
Connect With New Neighbors
And finally, you need to befriend your new neighbors. Even if you’re not really a sociable person, connecting with your neighbors is important and can help you feel like you’re truly part of the community. Having good relationships with neighbors is always good because they can help you find your way, look out for your home if you’re away, and inform you of important events.
Make Your Move Ins Awesome
We know that move ins can be rather stressful, but if you have a nice list to help keep things organized, it can be more fun than worrying. Make a copy of the list we shared here, add your own personal notes and comments, plan everything carefully, and enjoy your next move in experiences.