The last thing anyone wants when relocating is to add more jobs to the list. From moving the entire family to set the new place, relocating is hectic, but add home refurbishments to it? No way! It may seem daunting at first, but home improvements are the best way to avoid future hassle before making.
Unless you are buying an entirely newly constructed house, there will always be a few issues that you’ll need to address either before settling down or after. It would help if you took up smart home improvement projects before relocating so that your future stay in the home is pleasant.
Are you feeling stressed? Don’t worry; you wouldn’t need to worry about any major home renovation in the future with the following list.
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Upgrade Your Kitchen
Even though most of you wouldn’t spend much time in the kitchen, that doesn’t mean you have to settle with a rundown. Some may even consider the kitchen as the heart of the house.
So, imagine cooking in the kitchen of horrors where the sinks are clogged, cabinets are falling off, appliances are out of date. It doesn’t seem like a dream move. Therefore, tear down the cabinetry if it’s falling apart, but if you think they are okay, then a coat of fresh paint and a change of handles will do the job too.
Add backsplashes, a food waste disposal (if you can afford it), new appliances, and also throw in a dishwasher. Replace or fix the countertops, and don’t forget to update the existing appliances.
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Repaint The Interior Walls
Moving is time-consuming, and most people struggle with it. It would be best to learn more about the moving options and access resources that can help save time and effort. When you have a less hectic move, you can find more time to refurbishments like repainting the interior.
Avoiding repainting the interior would be a big mistake. It may seem like a relief at the moment but imagine when all the paint is coming off, but now you have to paint a fully furnished house!
Therefore, one of the few home refurbishments you have to do before relocating is to give the interior a fresh coat of paint. You can even go for new wallpapers while the rooms are empty.
Read Also: How To Repaint A Wood Door
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Fix the flooring and the walls
It is typical for homeowners to refloor the house or redo the walls after the purchase. Fixing the walls and the flooring won’t be as easy as when the entire house is uncovered and empty.
There won’t be a better chance than this for these kinds of fixtures in the long run. So, open up the floor plans, add personalized touches to them, and start redecorating your new home. You can remove non-load-bearing walls and open up space for a room or even a house office.
If you are buying an old home, it is better to smooth out outdated or crush-stomped walls. Moreover, if you plan on hiring professionals to do the floors and walls, it would be cheaper before the move. Because then they won’t have to deal with the added task of moving all the furniture.
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Evaluate plumbing and electricity
Inspecting the house’s plumbing and electrical system is one of THE most important tasks before relocating. You cannot move into a house without thoroughly checking and then fixing all sorts of plumbing and electrical issues.
Ensure that there are no significant leakages in the house because home leakage can be an absolute nightmare. Check all the fittings, especially in the kitchen and the bathrooms, old pipes, heater, and essential water valves.
When it comes to electrical fixtures, you need to look out for old wiring, exposed wires, and faulty electrical outlets. Ensure that any significant renovation related to plumbing and wiring gets done before you move in.
Also Read: A Homeowner’s Guide to Fixing Plumbing Leaks
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Lookout for popcorn ceiling
In-home water leakage and popcorn ceiling is every homeowner’s worst nightmare. Popcorn ceilings and walls are something you have to take care of before you enter the house. These ceilings are highly unattractive and may also contain asbestos traces that, when exposed or disturbed, can cause serious health issues.
The chances of encountering popcorn ceilings and walls are higher in older homes, so ensure that you remove them entirely or have them smoothened out professionally. Like repainting the house, taking care of the popcorn ceiling is best done when the house is empty, so you better take care of that before moving.
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Upgrade house security
You wouldn’t want to move into a house with loose locks and handles, would you? Replacing interior locks and upgrading home security is one of the easiest and most crucial home improvements. You don’t have any idea who may have had access to the house, or they might still have copies of the keys.
When choosing new locks, buy from different brands and test their security features by picking or bumping using professional lock picking tools. You want the ones that are tough to crack to up the security of your home.
Therefore, remove all the exterior locks before relocating, install an up-to-date security system or update existing safety features such as cameras, smoke detectors, alarm systems, and so on. Also, it’s a great idea to install a fence before moving your family, especially if you have small kids or pets. It is excellent for privacy and an added safety feature.
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Baby Proofing the house
Moving with a baby can be overwhelming with all the cleaning, refurbishing, and improvements. To top it off, you have to constantly worry about your baby getting in the way or, worse, getting hurt. So, for the sake of a peaceful move, you need to babyproof the house beforehand to avoid any mishap.
For instance, when installing cabinetry or organizers, ensure that they are childproof and installed perfectly to prevent tipping. Other things you can do are to install locks on windows, take care of sharp edges, put gates near the stairs, and cover the electrical outlets.
Conclusion
Relocating is a gigantic task on its own, and you don’t want to add more projects to the list when you arrive. So, the best course of action is to take care of a few home improvements before moving in. You must check all the significant aspects of the house that may require renovation.
Such as removing or repairing walls and ceilings, checking the plumbing system, remodeling the kitchen or the bathroom, making space, and upgrading the electrical system. Don’t forget to double-check house security and follow our list to save money on home improvements in the long run.