Things to Remember when moving into a New House

Entering your new home is an exhilarating experience! From unpacking your stuff to setting it up, every task is a new memory. 

That said, good memories often come with some preparation, like a checklist. With a clear picture of what’s essential the moment you get your keys, you ensure moving in is exhilarating because of excitement, not anxiety.

To help you with this, we’ve curated a guide on new house essentials. So here are six tasks that must be on your new house checklist for the perfect living experience.
 

Task 1 - Change the locks on the exterior doors
 

Everyone from previous owners and realtors to housekeeping staff will probably have a spare set of keys to your new home. When keys change hands, intruders are bound to pop up. Changing the locks keeps your home secure and private. 

With that out of the way, you’ve made good progress toward a good night’s sleep in your new home.
 

Task 2 - Check for plumbing leaks
 

You aren’t moving into a new house to hear the drip-drop of ceiling leaks. Nor is it to watch a damp patch spread in the walls. 

Next on your moving into a new house checklist is double-checking for plumbing leaks. 

This is because plumbing issues don’t just ruin your sleep; they also weaken your new home’s structure. 

Make sure to look for leakage in the walls, pipes, or ceilings. You need to ensure that the builder or seller has repaired all leakages. If you have the key to a semi-furnished or furnished home, have all pipes fixed and walls with leakages treated. As for bare-shell flats, it’s vital to oversee installation to prevent leaks from ever happening.

During this process, using Dr. Fixit LW+ and M-seal is ideal. Along with being easy to apply, the Dr. Fixit LW+ also comes with water-resistant attributes. Additionally, M-seal has multiple products for different applications for leaky, drippy pipes.
 

Task 3 - Clean up
 

While cleanliness is its own reason, keeping the house spick and span fosters a healthy environment. It also makes spotting repairs easy.

Some sellers will leave the house clean for you, but some won’t. Even if they do, moving into a new home feels best with a cleaning done under your supervision.

Try hiring a professional service company with detailed and positive reviews if your new house needs extensive cleaning.
 

Task 4 - Waterproofing your home
 

Protection is next on the checklist of things you need for a new house. Namely, waterproofing.

Due to nature’s erratic weather patterns, an unprotected home is in danger of wall cracks and compromised structural integrity. Water intrusion also includes mould growth and moisture buildup. 

Waterproofing solutions ensure your home repels leaks and intrusions. Getting it done from the start ultimately creates a safe and healthy living experience.

Remember, comprehensive waterproofing is best completed during construction or renovations. But if you’ve bought an existing home, no worries! Consult with experts like Dr Fixit at the earliest to avoid costly repairs.

Note: Also, review whether you need to add painting to your moving new home checklist. This optional step could help personalise and rejuvenate your space.

Task 5 - Find your Main Distribution Board (MDB) and main water valve
 

MDBs control electricity in your home, and main water valves are the gates that allow water to enter your tanks and taps. 

The fifth task on your essential new house checklist is finding and mapping where these are. During this process, label what fuses control different parts of your house and figure out how water flows through your home.

This mapping helps you understand how to control the supply of electricity/water and quickly address any related issues.
 

Task 6 - Mechanical equipment cleaned and serviced
 

Amidst the excitement, new homeowners may overlook this final task until it's too late. 

When moving into a new home, equipment that keeps the home running must be maintained. This includes water heating systems, inverters, exhaust systems and even pumps.

By ignoring this task, you risk expensive maintenance and major inconveniences.

A great way to handle this is to get a service contract. With this, if anything stops working, you won’t have to overpay for a technician to visit your home.
 

Ensuring a perfect start in your new home with Dr. Fixit
 

Our 6-task new house checklist covers everything for a fantastic start to life in your new home. However, the one that needs proactive attention is waterproofing.

While the checklist may feel extensive, the right partner will make the process seamless. 

That’s where Dr. Fixit enters the fray. With detailed home inspection services and a wide range of products, Dr Fixit is the perfect choice for comprehensive waterproofing.

So don’t hesitate! Reach out to Dr. Fixit today by filling out the form below.
 

FAQs
 

FAQ#1 - What is the first thing to do when moving into a new house?

The first task on your new house checklist is prioritising security and changing all the locks on exterior doors. This will ensure that only you and those you trust have access to your new home.
 

FAQ#2 - What essentials are needed when moving into a new house?

When moving into a new house, here’s what you need -

• New locks

• Cleaning supplies or a cleaning service

• Paint and painting supplies, if needed 

Along with these supplies, don’t forget to bring along these service professionals -

• Electricians and plumbers for safety checks and maintenance

• Waterproofing experts like Dr. Fixit to prevent future water intrusions
   

FAQ#3 - What do I need for a new house checklist?

Here’s a quick breakdown of what your new house checklist includes - 

• Change locks to boost security

• Checking for plumbing to avoid leaks

• Schedule deep cleaning and, if needed, painting, too, for a healthy home

• Locate your home’s MDB and main water valve to know how to address any issues quickly

• Plan servicing of mechanical equipment like HVAC systems that keep your home running smoothly

• Schedule home inspection and waterproofing with experts like Dr. Fixit to prevent water intrusions