Nothing is more exciting than moving into your new home. But be sure to cross these things off your checklist for your own safety and security before you call it home (And be sure to buy these new important home pieces as well).
Here is your new home checklist:
#1 Change the Locks
You don’t really know who else has keys to your house, so change the locks. This ensures that you are the only accessible person. Install new deadbolts yourself for as little as $10 per lock, or call a locksmith — if yousupply the new locks, they typically charge labor for about $20 to $30 per lock.
#2 Check for Plumbing Leaks
Upon closing, the home inspector should do so for you, but it never hurts to double-check. Check your water heater for signs of leakage and keep an eye out for dripping faucets and running toilets. Also check your water meter at the beginning and end of a two-hour window where no water is used in your room. If the reading is different, there’s a leak.
#3 Steam Clean Carpets
Do this before you move your furniture in and you’ll start your new home life fresh. You can pay for a professional carpet cleaning service— you’ll pay about $50 per room; most companies require a minimum of about $100 before they come out — or you can rent a steam cleaner for about $30 a day and do the job yourself.
#4 Wipe Out Your Cabinets
If the house has been vacant for sometime, definitely wipe your cabinets down before moving in your dishes and bathroom supplies. Mice and other pests are quick to move into the home during the moving process. Make sure you wipe inside and out, preferably with a non-toxic cleaner, and if possible remove the contact paper.
#5 Invest in Pest Control
This includes mice, rodents, bats, termites, roaches, and any other visitors not invited. There are plenty of DIY options to get rid of pests, but if you need to get the big guns out, an initial visit from a pest removal service will cost you $100 to $300, followed by monthly or quarterly visits at about $50 per time.