You have found and bought the perfect property and the moving lorry has delivered all your furniture and goods. Now it’s time to turn your new house into a home.
Here are five tips to get you through the labour-intensive process more easily. RE/MAX offers its advice:
Delegate and divide the work
If you have friends and family who are willing to lend a hand – rope them in and get them involved. As the saying goes, many hands make light work, so give each person a list of jobs that they can do to help. Ideally, it is best to start with the larger jobs first, such as placing the furniture and then working down to the smaller things like unpacked boxes. Try and set up at least one room as quickly as possible so that the helpers have a place to take a well-deserved break during the process.
Prioritise safety
The first few days in a new home can feel a little unfamiliar. Making sure that everyone feels safe in their new environment will help them to feel settled sooner. Check all the doors and windows to ensure that they lock properly. Also, ensure that each relevant member of the family has a set of keys to the property. If you think it is best to change any of the locks, schedule a locksmith and change the codes to any coded entry points, such as automated garage doors and security systems. Additionally, ensure you know where the circuit breaker is and how it works.
Get the paperwork out of the way
Rather than delaying the process, ensure that all the relevant parties are informed of your change of address. Update all your accounts and utilities with your new details. Fill out a change of address with your bank and employer and ensure that all other service providers and creditors have your new address. Remember also to make the time to change the address on your driver’s licence. Don’t pressure yourself to do all of this in one go, but the sooner you get them done, the more settled you will feel.
Make the property yours
Changing the colour of the walls and putting up your personal items will make the house feel like a home and can make the rest of the unpacking a much more pleasant experience.
Remember to take time to breathe
It’s not a race. There is no need to have it all done at once. Take some time out to have a family dinner, watch a movie or go on a social outing. Or just relax, step outside to meet the neighbours and take time to enjoy your new surroundings.
