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If you’re reading this and you just moved into your new home, we have something to say: congratulations on your new place! And while moving can be quite an exciting yet stressful time in one’s life — there’s nothing better than upgrading and moving into a new space. Of course, once you settle in, there are some things that you should do besides unpack.
Not sure what to do right before you move in? Here are a few pointers:
#1: Arrange Your Utilities
Picture this: you’re spending your first day in your new place, and upon trying to turn the sink on to wash your hands, you realize that you have no water. While this is usually a rarity when you move into your new home, since you’ve most likely have spoken to the water company beforehand, there is a chance that this task may have slipped some homeowners’ minds. If you might have missed this step in the moving equation, don’t panic — remain calm. Just call your new water company, followed by your electrical company (and plumbing company if you notice a plumbing problem), and make sure everything is intact and ready to go.
#2: Locate the Essentials
You know exactly what we’re talking about: looking for that box (or boxes) packed with essentials that you use in your day-to-day! From silverware to towels, there are a few things that are more of a need than a luxury! And while it might seem like a great idea to start unboxing everything at the start, you’ll eventually see that it might make matters a tad more overwhelming when you’re actually on the hunt for a specific item (or two).
#3: Clean Around the House
Before you start assembling furniture and rearranging each room, make a conscious effort to clean beforehand. Sure, the previous owners of the home (if applicable) might have cleaned before they left, but there’s a chance that they might have left dust and other debris behind. No matter what, it doesn’t hurt to put on a pair of rubber gloves and clean various surfaces around your new home! Additionally, make sure to vacuum any carpeting, clean doorknobs, and make sure to scrub the toilet! Not only will this be the perfect equation to having a clean home, but you’ll feel much more at ease.
#4. Paint Your New Home
It is (obviously) easier to paint a room that’s empty because you don’t need to move furniture, take down any curtains, or remove any decorations. If you are considering changing the color of the walls in your new home, this is a task you should consider completing before you move in. Plus, it’s nice to move in with a fresh coat of paint.
#5. Handle Electric & Plumbing Updates
If your new home needs any electric or plumbing updates, it is best to get these repaired before you move in. Since most electricians and plumbers work by the hour, they will be able to work faster if they have immediate access to outlets or pipes. If you want to install a new lighting system, it is also easier to get these installed before you have moved in.
#6: Change Your Locks
One element that most new homeowners don’t take into consideration is their lock situation. Think about it: when you received the keys to your new home, there’s a very likely chance that the previous owners didn’t change the locks; they kept the same ones they had before you purchased their house. If that’s the case, they might have a spare key with them that they forgot to hand over. They may have also made copies of the key and provided them to friends, family members, and even service providers like their cleaning crew. Sure, it’s very slim that someone will just come on by and unlock the door — but for your safety and the ultimate peace of mind, it’s best to have all external locks replaced.
#7: Assemble the Most Important Rooms First
Now, this might seem like a “given,” but it’s essential to assemble the most essential rooms in your home, first. Sure, it might be exciting to set up your office or start decorating the guest room (especially if your old house didn’t have these “bonus” rooms), but you should start to think about your sleeping situation, first.
Starting with your bedroom, rearrange the furniture, make the bed, and fill your dressers and closets. Once the space is “livable,” it’s time to move onto your bathroom, followed by your kitchen, living room, and so forth. This can help immensely with stress levels as your house starts to feel more like a home and you can more easily get back to day-to-day life as quickly as possible. If you need help with unpacking, we can help with that too!
#8. Get Familiar with Circuit Breakers, Shut-Off Valves & More
It’s also a good idea to familiarize yourself with your new home’s circuit breakers and shut-off valves before you move in. That way, you’ll be prepared for a tripped breaker or plumbing emergency. Figure out which breaker controls each room or area of your home. Clearly label them if they aren’t already. Keep a flashlight next to the circuit breaker just in case.
This is also a good time to get familiar with the air conditioning system, alarm (if you have one), and other systems around the home. While it may take a while to get used to which light every switch controls in the whole house, you can work on familiarizing yourself with everything, little by little.
#9. Check Smoke Detectors
Take a few minutes to check the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors throughout your house. Replace any dead batteries and replace old or broken detectors with new ones. These will be your first line of defense in the unlikely event of a fire or carbon monoxide leak, and they could save your life.
#10. Replace AC Filters
Who knows when the AC filters were last changed in your new home. Check and replace these as soon as possible, as dirty filters can wear out an air conditioning system and may also contribute to allergies and illness caused by airborne particulates.
In Need of a Southern California Moving Company for the Big Day?
Moving requires a lot of time and preparation, but following these steps before you move into your new home can make everything easier. Focus on preparing for your move and prevent moving mistakes by letting our team at Affordable Quality Moving and Storage take care of packing and transporting your belongings. We handle local, out-of-state, long-distance, and international moves for customers in Santa Clarita and throughout Southern California. Our team of professionals is licensed, trained, and ready to help your move be an easy one!
"I could not have asked for a better moving team!"
-Margaret, another happy customer
Contact our team today at (661) 622-2636 for a free estimate!
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