We understand the headache and stress which moving into a new home can have, but for the first time movers, it’s truly something else. The confusion, chaos and expense buying a first home is an experience not taken lightly, so if we can provide clear skies and smooth sailing for the few people that are soon to be moving, we’ll be happy! With our ultimate first home move checklist, it gives you ultimate preparation and makes sure you don’t forget essentials (like forgetting to bring your bed and having to see on a wooden floor that might as well be pavement).
Hopefully you haven’t left it until the last minute to prepare, but if you have, take a look at the list below to get you started.
Preparing For The Move
- Declutter – although this isn’t the most fun task to start off with, it significantly helps the moving process and you’ll thank yourself for this later. Get rid of things you no longer need and things you’re not going to be taking with you in your new home
- Get packing boxes – You can’t pack anything if you don’t have packing boxes or bubble wrap to protect particular items and belongings. Here are some handy tips for packing
- Start by room – Packing isn’t a joyful activity, and neither is running around 3 separate rooms trying to get things together. Pack by room, and label boxes so that if something is fragile, your movers are aware!
- Book time off – Packing can be very tiring and exhausting, it’s recommended you take at least a few days off work to do this
Things You Need To Do But Won’t Want To Do
- Redirect your post – a common mistake people make, or forget. You need to make sure you receive your mail to the right address
- Home insurance – It’s highly recommended you have home insurance cover from the day you move in. Basic policies cover damaged belongings in and within the home
- Switch over utilities – There’s nothing quite like moving into a new home without gas or electric! Make sure you stay on the ball with switching over your utilities in time, this goes for your phone and broadband too
- Switch doctors – Depending on your move, you might have to register with a new doctors. Don’t forget the dentist too
- Clean – Unfortunately, buying a house doesn’t come with a fairy godmother that cleans it for you (unless it’s your mother, or grandma…) I recommend cleaning the house before you move in, as with all of the other tasks you’ll face, cleaning will be the last thing you’d want to!
The New Home Shopping Spree
So, the boring tasks are over and done with! The second half of the moving process is to enjoy getting your shop on, and potentially getting lost in Ikea.
I’ve found a great furniture buying checklist for the new home, but if you’re on a budget and need to save a few pennies, charity shops are the perfect way to do something for charity whilst getting what you need for less. I have briefly compiled a short list below to give you an overview of what you’ll need, these are the basics when it comes to buying furniture.
- Sofa set
- Coffee table
- Dining table and chairs
- Storage units
- Kitchen appliances (tumble dryer, washing machine, dishwasher)
- Cleaning supplies
- First aid kit
- Storage solutions
I know that your budget for your first home furniture may not be as big as you’d want it to be, but as long as you’ve covered the basics, you’ll be set.
Moving Day
Moving day is an exciting one, which makes it even easier for you to forget some of the essential things you need to do. At this stage you should be/have:
- Fully packed
- Changed address, switched doctors, dentists etc
- Cleaned your new home in preparation
- Schedule home improvements (if required)
- Move furniture in
- Change locks on your doors
- Relax!
The hardest part should now be over. Once you’ve settled into your new home and moved furniture in, it will start to feel like a home and not just a house. I know that buying a home is a huge financial investment, so it’s sensible to assess your final situation in regard to finances. We can never predict how much moving can cost us, so it’s good to plan ahead in advance and be aware.
Meanwhile, it’s time to enjoy your new home.
