How to plan for moving into a new house

Collaborative Post

After months of saving and sacrificing, you’re now the proud owner of a new home! The wait is finally over and it’s an incredibly exciting time, but what happens next?

There are several things to check off your to-do list to make the moving process simple and stress-free, which is why we’ve put together this guide on how to plan for moving into a new house.

Factor in repairs

Many houses don’t come fault-free, and it’s important that any repairs that need doing on your new home to make sure that it’s liveable are done before your move-in date. You want to feel safe and confident on day one as you start your new life.

If you are able to consider house repairs and renovations before you buy, you are more likely to find a great deal. It helps to have an eye for potential, rather than the current reality. Look past the current decor and any minor issues, and think about how you’d turn your new house into a home. 

House repairs, of course, certainly don’t cheap. Hopefully, though you’ve already spent a lot to get to this point, you’ve tried to keep some money aside for any necessary work on your new home – but that isn’t always possible. If you need things done quickly, you could explore alternatives to a small loan to help pay for the necessary repairs.

If you can’t afford the repairs and renovations that you’d like straight away, concentrate on what you can do. Focus on the necessary repairs first. Get the plumbing and electrical systems checked out to make sure your home isn’t a hazard, then move on to repairs that can save you money and prevent cumulative damage.

You can also make small, cheap changes to personalise your home without breaking the bank. For example, a kitchen renovation will set you back, but you can make some changes without a full refurbishment. Painting or replacing the cupboard doors and getting new door handles can make a big difference. You can also get custom splashbacks to change the look of your kitchen and keep the walls cleaner.

Make it secure

Safety should be one of your top priorities when setting yourself up in a new home. This could involve making small changes, such as getting your locks changed, installing security systems and smart doorbells and adding theft deterrents such as motion-sensitive lighting.

Illuminating the garden when it’s dark is a good way to deter potential criminals, as well as making it safer for you to navigate at night.

Don’t make it obvious that the house is empty if you’re not staying there overnight during the move. You could also prioritise fitting curtains or blinds in the new house so that these can stay closed when you’re moving things from your old property.

Pack smart

There’s nothing worse than getting into your new home and realising that you have no idea which box has what item stored in it.

Ensure that each box is clearly labelled, and that the boxes containing items that you’ll need within the first few hours or days at the new house are easily accessible.

A good tip is to pack each box by room. It will keep things streamlined and make the unpacking process a lot easier. That way, you can place each box in its corresponding room and unpack when you need to do so.

Keep people updated

From your parents to your employer, making sure that you update your address with all the relevant people and suppliers can guarantee that your post doesn’t get sent to your old address and that all of your bills stay accurate.

Remember to register with a new GP, change the address on your car insurance policy and your driving licence as you could be fined for not doing so. You’ll also want to sort out all of your bank details, TV licence and council tax plus register on the electoral roll.