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When you’re preparing for a move, it’s tempting to turn all your attention on the house you’re leaving. You need to pack, and clean. That takes a lot of work, which is why so many of our customers let us pack for them. Many people forget, though, that your new home likely needs a lot of work before it’s ready for the move in.
A Last Minute Inspection
Hopefully you had your new home inspected before you bought it, but it’s a good idea to give it another once over. Do you see signs of recent leaks? Do the lights and faucets work? Does the hot water heater give you hot water, and does the furnace give you hot air?
Turn on Utilities
Have all the utilities turned on before you move in. You’ll need light on moving day. You’ll need water. You’ll need trash the day after moving in.
Install Lights and Alarms
Empty homes are easy targets for burglars, who might help themselves to appliances. Some might camp out, and some might even break through the drywall to steal copper pipes and wires. Protect your unoccupied home with an alarm system and motion sensitive lights.
Change the Locks
It’s always a good idea to change the locks. Even if you’ve met, and trust the previous residents, they may have given keys to their babysitter, their dog walker, and their teenagers’ friends.
Change the Toilet Seat
Yes, toilet seats are very easy to disinfect, but new ones are inexpensive. The peace of mind is worth it.
Find the Breaker Box
Locate the breaker box and water turnoff valves before moving in.
Clean
Even if you’re moving into a brand new place, give it a good dusting and vacuuming. Wipe down the cabinets and counters. Disinfect the bathrooms. While all of this seems like a lot of work, it’s a heck of a lot easier to clean an empty home than a clean one.
Take Pictures
If you are a renter, document all damages and all places where it’s particularly dirty. Send the pictures to your landlord and keep them on a file on your computer, backed up, of course.
Featured image CC2.0 by American Advisors Group, via Flickr
