You’ve found your new home. Congrats! Now you want nothing more than to move the heck in.
But Wait!
We know how badly you want to move in and stop living out of boxes. You’re so close, but there are a few maintenance issues to check off the list before moving all your stuff in. It will make your life much easier to resolve these issues BEFORE your belongings and your people take over. Your inspector should point out any problems during your home inspection, which is why an inspection is crucial.
You can certainly wait to resolve specific issues such as a damaged window, broken light fixture, or painting small walls. Those are no big deal. Other problems are best resolved BEFORE moving in for your convenience and safety. Before you pin down a date with your professional moving company, here are five household issues you should fix.
1. Pesky Pests
When it comes to pesky little friends, it’s better to be on the safe side. The last thing you want is to share your new home with creepy crawlers. We recommend having a pest control company come and examine your home for any pest infestations. We don’t want anything to bug you right after you move in!
If there is a pest problem, get it treated right away. Pest control treatment typically involves spraying chemicals or fumigating the house with gas. It’s ideal to be far away when the chemicals go off in the home. Pesticide isn’t healthy to ingest or be around, so get this over with beforehand.
If fumigation is necessary, you won’t be able to live in the house for several days anyway. It is best to get this taken care of now so you don’t have to vacate shortly after moving in. Then, you can focus on more exciting things.
2. Cigarette Smell
Cigarette smoke smell is one of the hardest things to eliminate in a home or car. You’ll want to work on eradicating that smell before all your belongings get drenched in it. Not only does that affect the air quality, but it is one of the most pungent smells.
To conquer cigarette smoke:
- Open all the windows and air out the home as much as possible.
- Get the carpet and air ducts professionally cleaned.
- Wash the walls and wipe all surfaces with white vinegar.
Clean HVAC evaporator coils with detergent and water to prevent fumes from traveling through your air ducts and your nose. It’s not an easy task, but it solves this problem well before moving your belongings.
3. Structural Issues
Did any structural issues get flagged during your home inspection? If so, get these issues fixed before you move in. Please don’t put them off or ignore them or you’ll be screaming at yourself down the line. Failing to resolve specific structural issues may raise safety concerns. It’s not worth it. Some common structural problems might be water damage, roof damage, faulty wiring, sloping doors, or drywall damage. If ignored, all these issues could get bigger and bigger and more expensive! You’re not doing yourself any favors if you put off structural issues.
4. Big Cosmetic Issues
You can resolve minor cosmetic issues down the road, but you should address major ones before your move-in date. Painting your house’s entire interior will be much easier before there is any stuff inside. Once the furniture is in, it must be covered, protected, or moved to prevent paint damage. Other issues to fix before moving in include patching holes in the floor or walls, deep cleaning the inside, refinishing hardwood floors, or any other major renovations.
5. Broken Appliances
You’ll likely use major appliances daily, such as your dishwasher, refrigerator, washer, dryer, and oven. You’ll thank yourself for fixing faulty appliances before moving your family in. New appliances can take weeks or months to arrive, so prepare accordingly to avoid inconvenience when you need to throw in laundry or want to cook a meal. Test all the appliances before moving in so you’re not stuck with a broken appliance the first week in your new house.
It may seem tedious to push back your move-in date even more, but you’ll be so glad you did when moving into a freshened-up, safe, and good-to-go home. You certainly don’t want pests, cigarette smoke smell, structural issues, cosmetic issues, or broken appliances ruining your first week in your new home. You’ll want an excellent start to your new journey. If you have multiple jobs to tackle, find a storage and moving company that can hold onto your belongings while you straighten things out. Good luck with your upcoming move!
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When moving into a new home, there is some maintenance you should check off. Despite being excited about starting your new journey, taking care of these issues is crucial for a great start. It will also lessen the burden and stress of moving in while there are still some problems. Read about the issues you need to resolve for safety and convenience before moving in.
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