Moving into a brand-new home is exciting, but it can also bring a few challenges with it. Expect some extra tasks to carry out in the first few days, weeks and months that you wouldn’t have in an older home.
Here’s what you need to do during your first year in a new build.
Check everything during your snagging period
New builds come with a snagging period after you move in to give you time to identify any problems with your home. It’s unlikely that your new home will come without even a minor problem, so it’s important to start keeping a record as soon as you move in.
You should do a thorough inspection of your home, ensuring you check windows, doors and tiling for gaps. You should also check the loft to assess the insulation.
You can also hire a snagging inspector to carry out a professional survey in your home.
The average snagging period is two years, but identifying any problems sooner rather than later gives your builder plenty of time to correct them.
Check your utilities
It’s essential to check your utilities when you first move in. Ensure that all meters are working properly and have the correct serial number for your home. If this number is incorrect, you might end up paying for your neighbours’ utility usage instead.
This is also the time to identify the water stopcock so you’re prepared in the event of an emergency.
Wait a year before you decorate
When you first move into your new home, it can be tempting to go wild with redecorating. However, it’s best to wait a year before you paint the walls or add permanent decorations to your house. Your home is brand new so will need some time to settle.
You should also avoid putting the heating on high during the first few months as this can contribute to sinkage.
Choose your furniture carefully
If you’re investing in new furniture for your new home, make sure it fits in your home before you purchase it. It may be best to wait until you have the keys to order any furniture so that you can properly measure the sizes of your rooms.
Choosing furniture that is too big for your home can make it feel smaller, cause issues moving around freely or even fail to fit through hallways, doorways and up the stairs.
Ventilate your home well
It’s important to keep your new home well-ventilated to help it to dry during the first few months. The more you can open windows, doors and vents, the less condensation you’ll see.
Don’t worry about efflorescence, the salty substance that can appear on the exterior walls of new builds. This can be easily brushed or wiped away.
Order bins from the local council
Many new build-buyers make the mistake of assuming that the builder will provide bins for your home. However, this responsibility in fact lies with the buyer, so you must order bins in time for your move-in date.
Get in touch with your local council to order your household waste and recycling bins as soon as possible. Don’t forget to check when the bin collection days are for your new home.
Expect problems with your address
As your new address has only just been created, there are likely to be issues with your mail and postcode when you first move in. It is the responsibility of the builder to inform the council of the new addresses. The Royal Mail will also need to be informed for post to be delivered to your home.
Before your postcode is live, you may have trouble getting insurance or ordering things online. You should be prepared to order things to friends and family’s homes in the first few weeks, or supply a nearby postcode with instructions for delivery drivers.