Bills
No doubt this project has been pretty expensive. You don’t want the builders to hold your property to ransom or start expensive court proceedings. Now is the time to start settling the bills. Another reason for getting your payments squared away is to help you identify the exact budget left to complete your home.
Most of us want high end fixtures and fittings when we build our dream property. The trouble is, the building budget can easily spiral out of control and you may not have enough left to do everything you want. When you reach this stage of the build, you can see the light at the end of the tunnel. You’re so close to that dream becoming a reality. The last thing you need now is to get into financial dire straits and be forced to sell.
Get the finances in order, and make the payments that are due. Revise your budget, and start pricing up what you want to install at the property. You may still need to fit the bathrooms, kitchen, lighting and sound systems. Has the landscaping been tackled yet? Is your decorator offering you a fixed price, or may there need to be some wiggle room here? This can be one of the most worrying times for a house building project, so it’s important to get the details right.
Paperwork, Certification And Testing
By now your services, plumbing and wiring should all be installed. Make sure you have all the signed certificates and sign-offs from your local authorities handed in. Boilers, electrical systems, and sewer connections all require several signatures to be considered complete. And before you pay the bills, it can be worth testing everything works as it should and that there are no leaks.
One of the most important things to be certain of when you take over the house is that the insulation is installed and to standard. Check the loft space, and ask to see the cavity inspection report. You should check there are no gaps around doors and windows that could let heat out. And be certain all the locks are a smooth action with the right number of keys supplied.
You should also ensure you have a book of all the numbers of suppliers and fitters incase you find something wrong within the warranty period. A simple spreadsheet could be all you need to have peace of mind here. And if you’re very happy with their work and service, why not thank them? Other customers will be keen to hire them if they have good reviews of their work. And if you need any future home improvements, you will have maintained a good, positive relationship with them too.
Decorators and Final Fix Fittings
Most people have chosen their color palette long before reaching this stage. But now is the time to see it come to life on the walls. Many decorators are happy to come in before bathroom suites and kitchens are fully installed. It helps them provide a high-quality finish. Speak to your decorator and painting team as soon as you can about when they will be able to come and complete the job.
This may be the first time they get to see a finished house. They may have to revise their quote for you, so be ready for a little movement in the price. If your decorators are providing the plasterer as well, then you may need to wait a few weeks for the plaster to settle before it should be painted. An empty house with no heat on takes longer to dry out as well. For a very good finish, it’s best to wait the time needed. rather than rushing ahead.
Of course, you may be doing the painting yourself to save a few thousand on the cost of your build. Start at the top and work your way down. It is a very physically demanding job to paint a whole house, so be prepared to take a few breaks. The ceilings are often matt white. This makes the room light and bright without creating a glare from light fittings. You may choose to paint the coving in a brighter white, but the light will create all the contrast you’re looking for thanks to the shape.
Walls should be blocked in before you begin. Many decorators still use tape to create a clean and crisp finish. This can be a very good idea if you’re not very experienced. Most supplied doors, door frames and skirting boards are pre-dipped so they won’t need painting. If you have any spatter or a drip, try dabbing a baby wipe over the area. This is especially effective on glass and metals.
Once the walls are dry, you may be having your flooring or carpeting installed. Make sure you use a good quality underlay. It may cost more, but it will ensure the flooring is protected and warm enough all year round. Threshold bars finish a room and define the boundaries beautifully. Don’t settle for cheapest one, but ones that suit the style of the room.
Packing
Now your home is empty of tradespeople and looking fresh and stylish, it’s time to move in. But first, you have to pack up your old house. This isn’t as easy as you may think, especially if you’ve been living there for a while. One of the best ways to pack is to clear out the rooms that aren’t essential first. These may be spare bedrooms, dining rooms and garages. It’s also important to streamline your possessions. Time to clear the clutter!
It can be hard letting go of all those things you’ve spent money on in the past. But if you can’t see yourself using them in the next year, it’s best to say goodbye to them. After all, electronic items go out of warranty and are superceded by better products. And our body shapes change as we age so we probably won’t wear those old fashion items quite as well anymore.
If you feel you may be stuck for storage in your new place, consider utilizing a local self storage company for extra household items. They can stay there as long as you need until you are settled enough to find space for them in the new property. It’s best to organize these belongings in some way that makes it easy to find when you want them again. Pick a storage facility that is available to you twenty four hours. That way, you can utilize it easier, and keep your new home clutter-free.
On the night before your move, you should have everything except an overnight case packed. The last box packed should be the first box to arrive at your new home. It will contain a kettle (if you need one), a few cups, instant coffees and teas. A few snacks and your phone chargers should be in there too. Don’t forget some bathroom paper, washing up liquid and a dishcloth!
Moving In
Finally, the day has come for you to move in. You may have waited years for this moment. Just getting the plans designed can take months. Then a few more months to have them refined and approved. And didn’t the building process seem to take forever? But now you have the keys. The home is complete. It’s fresh, clean, and ready to be lived in. Perhaps you even set the heating timer to come on ready for your arrival?
Your choice of removal company will depend on several things. But one of the most important things to consider is how careful they will be or your paintwork! Some removal companies pride themselves on speed. But with a brand new house, you may be more concerned with the extra care they will take. You want to be sure there are no scuff marks or muddy boot prints left all over your home.
Many people choose to have brand new furniture delivered to the newly built property. You can choose for this to arrive on moving day. Or you may have it delivered before your personal possessions arrive. It’s important not to bring things you will be replacing or that you won’t need. Selling them, giving them away, recycling them, or storing them in a storage center can be the best option.
Once everything has arrived and the removal team have left, it’s time to sit down and enjoy the new views. Of course, you’re going to need a big grocery shopping spree soon, but that can wait a few minutes. Today is the first day in your gorgeous dream house. Go make the bed, and enjoy what your vision has created.
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