Moving into a new house

CEBU, Philippines - Moving into a new house, whether newly rented or newly owned, is an crucial occasion. Normally, people do not change residences often enough, say, every other month or year. In fact, particularly among Filipinos, few families entertain the idea of changing residences at all.

But there are instances when moving to a new house is just necessary. For instance, in the light of the many natural calamities that have lately visited the country, moving somewhere safer may be a wise option. The same is true with a new couple wanting to start a family and a life on their own. Still, at times, a new job assignment of the head of the family requires relocating.

If the house to move into is an old one, there may be need for some sprucing up, including some repairs and refurbishing. In which case, the new house residents will have to stay where they are until the new place is really ready. It will be such a hassle to set things up while workers are still going in and out or up and down the house.

Depending on the amount of preparation necessary, it can take from a few days to a few weeks. The repairs may entail hiring a few pros in house repair. The cleaning and painting parts may be handled by the new occupants themselves – but still to be done before moving in.

Preparing the new house for occupancy may seem simple. But, actually, it can be very complicated. The new occupants need to prioritize tasks. It is not advisable to just do any task that comes to mind or meets the eye.

Architect Bud Dietrich, in an article published at www.forbes.com, offers a list of tasks that need to be covered.

Change the locks on the exterior doors. As soon as the new occupants get the keys to the house, it is important to buy and install new locks, if it’s not a new house with new locks already and purposely built for the new residents. The previous owners, real-estate agents, former house-maintenance men and who-knows-who-else are all likely to have keys to the house. For some peace of mind and as a necessary step in making the house secure, new locks shall be installed immediately.

Get the house cleaned up. While many previous occupants may leave the house clean for the next residents, some won’t. Or even if they do, it is a good idea to just check-clean the place again. In this case, all the supplies and tools needed to get the job done shall be ready: buckets, brooms, mops, a vacuum, rubber gloves, cleaners for each type of surface etc. Washing down cabinets, counters and plumbing fixtures and cleaning the carpeting etc. will make the new residents feel good about their new place. 

Paint all the walls and ceilings. This can be really time-consuming, so hiring professionals may be the way to go. There’s no point in just slapping up a coat of paint if the walls and ceilings are damaged – if they have cracks, holes and other defects. Prepping these surfaces can be a real chore. Or maybe there’s a relative or two who are good at this and can help. Also, if time is short and the house is in dire straits and every surface needs painting, one neutral color for every room is a good decision. This just makes it easier and limits the number of decisions to make in the rush.

Get some closet organizers. Many older houses suffer from closets that have a simple pole and shelf. Where to store what shall be decided beforehand, and then the closets shall be outfitted to accommodate everything. Such little things can make moving in less stressful and the life in the new house more enjoyable for the new occupants.

And the closets are not the only such things to look into. There shall be a place for everything – from umbrellas to laundry detergent. A well-placed extra shelf, coat hook etc. will go a long way toward making the house that much easier to live in.

Install new  electrical switch plates and other devices. Many older houses, especially those that have undergone a series of renovations, will have mismatched electrical outlets, dirty and discolored cover plates, and rusted or damaged air vent covers. Replacing all of these is a good idea so that there’s a uniformity and newness to everything to make the home feel newer and, understandably, cleaner. While switching out a cover plate takes nothing more than a small screwdriver, replacing electrical devices isn’t necessarily a good do-it-yourself project unless a house occupant is really skillful and comfortable working with electricity.

Install window treatments. Whether to have these custom-made or to go for some inexpensive and temporary shades, it’s good to spruce up the windows – both for privacy, better functionality, and that finishing touch.

Again, these are some of the basic preparations to do before moving into a new house. But of course the house will continue to be adjusted here and there for some time – to fit well with the lifestyles of its new occupants. (FREEMAN)