Moving requires time, patience, organization, coordination, and much effort. It’s undoubtedly a stressful event. You not only have to pack up everything on one end, but there’s also the work of unpacking waiting for you on the other end. Fortunately, while moving isn’t the easiest time in the world, they are ways to make the process less frustrating. But what if you need help with renovating a house? Once you move, you may want to improve on a couple of things. In this article, we’ll offer helpful tips on both moving and renovating your new house.
Before You Move
When moving, you have two choices: either move out on your own or hire moving companies. Moving by yourself is the cheaper option. It’s also the better option if you have a few belongings and no large furniture; otherwise, you may want to consider hiring professional movers. According to moving.com, the average cost of a local professional moving job is $1,250, while that of a long-distance move (1000 miles) is $4,890. A long-distance DIY truck rental may cost anywhere between $1,200 and $2,000. Other moving options you may want to consider include freight trailers and moving containers.
You want to start your moving preparations eight weeks before you begin your move. The eighth week is when you should start getting organized. Research moving options to find out which one is best for you. Ask friends and family for advice. To aid your organization, make a checklist of what needs to be done e.g.
- Setting up mail forwarding (notify USPS, banks, and credit cards of your new address)
- Scheduling a service shutoff with your utility companies
- Getting copies of school records if you have children
- Getting medical records from your doctor
- Setting up utilities at your new home
- Notifying the landlord of your move and inquire as to when you can get your security deposit
- Planning a garage sale
- Booking a moving company
- Getting packing supplies (e.g., boxes, bubble wrap, blankets, tape, ropes)
Having a checklist will help you stay accountable and maintain order throughout your moving process. If you start eight weeks before the move, you’ll have plenty of time and won’t need to rush anything. Indicate on the checklist the date or week you will complete a particular activity; for example, you can book a moving company five weeks before the move or contact the utility company four weeks before.
With four weeks left, you can begin packing up the non-essentials. Follow a set guideline while packing, which will make your unpacking all the more easier. Move around the house and take an inventory of your notable and valuable possessions. This is great not just for moving and unpacking purposes, but also for homeowners/renters insurance and police reports filing in case your property is damaged or stolen.
Go room by room and pack like items together. Each box should be labeled by its contents and the room they belong to. If the contents are fragile, mark them as such. In addition, have a box of essentials that will be unpacked first, e.g., a change of clothes, plates, toothbrushes, and medications. When packing, do not fill boxes to the brim to avoid making them heavy to carry. If you’ll be moving by yourself, pack heavy furniture and appliances first, and fasten them securely, so they don’t slide about while driving. Pack boxes last. The key to a successful move is to plan and stay organized.
Fortifying Your New Home
You’ve completed the hard part in moving in. Now you have to unpack and put everything where it ought to be. For many, this is both tedious yet brimming with new opportunities. As you unpack, do so systematically, essentials first, kitchens and bedrooms next. You want to at least set up the bare minimum and take care of the rest at a comfortable pace. Use your checklist to ensure that you have carried over everything. After settling in, you may want to consider getting some help with renovating a house.
Finding the perfect home isn’t easy though you should try to find one that is either a perfect fit for you, or one that only requires cosmetic touches. Avoid a house that requires structural changes unless you have budgeted for it. As for when to start renovating, it’s best to get to know a home before making changes. This will help inform you of all the likes and dislikes you have. You’ll be able to identify details you enjoy and any pain points. Moreover, you can identify traffic choke points, areas that need more light, or even a more secure door installation.
However, suppose your renovation requires a major addition, for example, a new roof, breaking down multiple exterior walls, or a second-story addition. In that case, you should not move in just yet. These kinds of remodels will take time and will almost surely require you to move out once construction begins.
An important part to get sorted out when you move into a new home is security. A home should provide safety, peace, and joy. Therefore, the first thing you should attend to is changing the locks. This ensures that only you and your family have access to the house since you aren’t aware of how many people have a copy of the current keys. Do this for all access points. In addition to that, ensure that the door frames are sturdy and the hinges well protected.
Check that the mail slot doesn’t have enough leeway for someone to insert their hand and unlock the door. Reinforce your windows too. Features like aftermarket window locks, reinforced glass with security film, and window sensors can frustrate would-be burglars. According to a Home Security Store infographic, 34% of burglars enter homes through front doors, 23% obtain access through an unlocked first-floor window, and 22% use the back door. Garage doors (9%) and basements (4%) are also notable entry points. However, many burglars are opportunists who view locked doors and windows as enough of a deterrent, so make them as strong as possible. Consider calling a security expert for help with renovating a house as they can identify weak points.
Don’t forget the exterior of the property either. Consider calling fencing services for help with renovating a house if you feel that your fence does not offer adequate amount protection. At night, ensure that your outdoor lighting covers your entire property since intruders avoid being visible areas. Speak to a security company about setting up motion-activated lights, solar-powered lights to save energy, scheduled light bulbs, security cameras, alarms, and other security features. An excellent security system will make you feel safe and secure. Still, you also have to keep good security practices such as locking all doors, not storing keys under a rock/potted plant, safely disposing of private documents, and storing away ladders and other equipment that can aid a burglar in breaking in.
Clear Out Leftover Waste
If your new home has a septic system or cesspool, you need to find out whether it’s necessary to call a cesspool pumping business. A septic system needs to be pumped every three to five years, while a cesspool should be pumped every two or so years. If the previous occupants had not emptied their waste system, you might be in for a rude shock if it’s full and starts to back up into the home. Call the cesspool experts/septic technicians/previous owners if you are unaware of where the system is located. Ensuring that a cesspool is well maintained will save you from costly remedial measures afterward.
When using sinks or toilets, ensure that only human waste and toilet paper get into the system. Items such as baby wipes, feminine hygiene products, grease, and non-biodegradable items should not be released into the cesspool. Use this as a rule of thumb to avoid drain blockages, septic backups, and other plumbing problems. If your drains are blocked, call drain cleaning services to clear the blockage. Avoid pouring chemical drain cleaners down the sink as these can kill the good bacteria in the cesspool/septic responsible for breaking down solids. Getting the help of waste disposal experts is necessary to help with renovating a house.
Planning for the Future
Ideally, before paying for the new home, you had it inspected. A home inspection can tell you what kind of help with renovating a house you need. Home inspectors will scrutinize the interior and exterior structure as well as perform a plumbing, roofing, HVAC, foundation, and electrical inspection. Generally, they will check the whole property and report on its overall safety and condition. Use the report as help with renovating a house. It can let you know whether you need electricians to fix wiring issues or any other faults. The HVAC inspections report can inform you of any heating and cooling issues.
Whatever the problem is, ensure that you future-proof your solution. Vet the technicians who come to help with renovating a house. Read online reviews and speak to multiple contractors to ensure that the work done on your property will stand the test of time. Consider your home’s energy star rating. How efficient is your insulation, ventilation, or HVAC? What effect would replacing the old equipment have on your finances in the long run? You may also want to speak to a design expert about creating flexible spaces that accommodate multiple needs. If you’ll be taking in a guest later on, you may need an extra bathroom.
Moreover, don’t get taken in by new trends; instead, go for a timeless neutral aesthetic. Once you have an efficient layout, feel free to add some whimsy and personality to the home. Finally, choose quality materials, especially for something like the flooring that sees a lot of use. Where you can, select items that will last over the long haul.
If Something Seems Wrong
You’ll probably enjoy many aspects of your new home. However, it’s likely that not everything will be rosy. For example, you may be shocked to discover rodents and insects invading your new home, which is a common problem. In that case, you need to call home pest control services for help with renovating a house. Be careful to research and ensure that the company/individual you hire is a certified and licensed pesticide applicator or a licensed technician.
Check with the Better Business Bureau, EPA, States Departments of Agriculture, or the States Attorney General’s Office to ensure no complaints have been filed against your chosen service. They should be transparent and provide labels for all pesticides to be applied. Do your research for all contractors who help with renovating a house to avoid frustrations. If something seems wrong, maybe the furnace isn’t working right, it’s best to call an expert right away. You may not be aware of how serious a problem is. A malfunctioning furnace is a hazard when it’s cold outside. A constantly tripping circuit breaker poses an electrocution or fire hazard. A leaking roof could damage a home’s structural integrity. It’s safer and cheaper, in the long run, to rely on expert advice than to let a problem fester.
While there’s a lot to do as you settle into your new home, it’s also important that you relax and enjoy the new possibilities that come with a move. Make time to meet the neighbors who may even be a great help with renovating a house. It’s a new neighborhood, so there will be new events and happenings to get into. Explore your surroundings and celebrate your fresh start. Pretty soon, you’ll fall into a comfortable routine, and then you’ll really be home.