7 Important Things to Do When Moving into a New Home
There is nothing more exciting than the anticipation of finally moving into your new home. The buildup that comes with which boxes are going to go into what room and playing the exhilarating game of finding out what survived the move and what didn’t. Wright Homes wants to welcome you with seven helpful, yet important tips on what to do while in the process of moving in.
Moving Into Your New Utah Home
Get Your Utilities Set Up
One of the first things that need to be taken care of prior to your move-in day is setting up your utilities. This means your water, gas, and electric. By the time you move in, everything should be operable and ready for your use, because you’re going to want to start plugging in your appliances, flick on the lights, and have a hot shower after a hard day of unpacking. Just imagine the frustration of having no power, A/C, or heat when you need it the most.
Next, you’re going to want to establish your internet, phone (if you have a house phone), cable, streaming services, Alexa, and any other important items on your checklist.
Take Advantage of the Emptiness of Your Space
Honestly, the best time to conduct a thorough walkthrough and inspection of the house is before you begin the process of unpacking. You have a better chance of spotting any water or fire damage, any drips, leaks, or running faucets or toilets. Make the necessary repairs from there. Getting a good layout of your home and making a final decision of what will go where, as well as understanding what needs repairs is invaluable.
It’ll also be easier to begin cleaning, as well. A good method would be to start high (ceiling) and work your way low (carpet/flooring)), disinfect your bathroom and kitchen, vacuum your carpet/clean the hardwood flooring, etc. Also, while getting to know your new home, learn where the water valve and fuse box are located so you know where they are when you need them. There is nothing worse than staggering through your house in a blackout.
Your Essentials Should Come First
Move-in day can be draining. It’s important to at least have your bathroom necessities unpacked and your bedroom set up for the reason that you are going to want to do nothing but relax when you call it quits for the day. Clean the shower doors, or hang up the shower curtain, because you’re going to want to have a long and hot shower before climbing into the fresh sheets of your bed in your new home.
Having a method of organization will come in handy for the following days, thereafter. Boxes that are labeled will be a time saver. Tackle each room accordingly so this way you don’t overwhelm yourself. Later, look to recycle boxes that cannot be used again. Store away the ones you can reuse for later.
Plug in Your Appliances
If you chose to take your fridge or your washer and dryer with you, or your delivery happens to meet you the day of your move-in, you’ll want to have those set up straight away. The fridge needs several hours to settle before it can be filled with perishable goods, and you’ll want to wash any of the clothes that had been sitting in the moving truck for longer than you anticipated. After all, you’re in for a fresh start in all aspects. Plus, plugging your appliances in now saves time in the event that particular room becomes overfilled with boxes, and you cannot reach it. You’ll definitely want to have your utilities squared away so that you may do so.
Change the Locks and Set the Alarms
Along with looking into an alarm system, changing the locks in the house is always a good precaution to take for the safety and security of your family. You can either switch out the locks yourself or hire a locksmith to take care of it for you.
Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
It’s important to have both smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your home in the event of a fire or a gas leak. Both should be in every bedroom, on all floors of the house. Smoke detectors should be located on the wall, no more than 12 inches from the ceiling, whereas carbon monoxide detectors should be no more than 5 inches. On an additional note, make sure you have the right fire extinguisher in your home, as well. You want to be prepared if/when the alarm goes off in the event of an incident.
Take Care of Your Change of Address and the DMV
Just because you’ve moved in doesn’t mean you’re finished. There are a few more steps to take before you can officially consider yourself settled. If you haven’t already, update your address with the post office so your mail can be forwarded to your new one. If you are moving out of state, you’ll need to not only register your vehicle but also change your license over at the DMV. In most cases, out-of-state residents will have a window of up to 30 days, so be mindful and double-check your timeframes! Your credit card companies will also need your mailing address to update their billing.
Experience Wright Homes in Utah
Moving into a new home is an exciting time. Enjoy every moment of unpacking, no matter how tedious it may feel. Soon, your new home will be organized and ready for this next chapter of your life with you. Taking care of these seven things will set you on the right path towards a bright future ahead. And Wright Homes is pleased to see you through every step of the way. Contact us today at (801) 997-0070.
