Seven Home Improvement Projects to Complete Before Moving Into a New Home
When you buy a new home, it’s natural to feel the urge to move in and settle in as quickly as possible, putting off potential renovations (even ones that would make you happier in the space ) and other home projects until later. And of course, some renovations, like a kitchen remodel or addition, require careful planning and are best planned once your bank account and stress levels have recovered from the home buying process.
However, there are some home projects that are best tackled right away because they involve a lot of hassle, take a long time to recoup the investment, or both.
Tree planting
If you have open space on your property but no trees, now is the time to plant them. Trees provide many benefits: they add beauty to your property, provide shade that helps keep your home cool during the warmer months, and add serious value to your home .
But trees take decades to mature—20 to 30 years on average, although some species mature in just a few years. Depending on where you live and the type of tree, waiting until it’s planted could mean that the people who get to enjoy your lush, green outdoor space (and the added value it brings) will be the people who buy a home from you.
Floor repair
If your new home has old floors, don’t wait to repair or replace them. The ideal time to sand, stain and seal your hardwood, pull out worn out old boards, or remove old carpet is before you’ve put all your furniture back in place and moved your busy schedule into your new home. Even if you’re willing to rip everything out of some rooms (or an entire floor), the dust and noise from refinishing your floors will likely keep you moving for days or weeks. If you know you’ll eventually have to redo these floors, take off the bandage and do it before you move in. Then you can arrange your furniture knowing that you won’t have to move it any time soon.
If you’re not going to be replacing or refinishing your old flooring, you should at least give it a deep cleaning before moving, especially if we’re talking about carpeting . Carpets trap dust, dirt, mold spores, and a variety of other substances—all of which can be buried deep in the pile, so even a rug that looks clean may not be so clean. It’s easiest to clean the floors in your home before you and your family even live there.
Removing a Popcorn Ceiling
If your home has popcorn ceilings, you probably know you’ll get rid of them over time. There are two good reasons to do this now, before you move in. First of all, removing popcorn ceilings is a dust nightmare, so your best bet is to get the job done before your furniture, clothes, and everything else you own gets covered in a layer of dirt.
Second, you may have to worry about asbestos, depending on when your home was built and when the ceilings were installed. It’s a good idea to check this before scraping your ceilings. If asbestos is present, removal and restoration will be more difficult and you will have to leave the home while it is being done.
Painting the interior of your home
Painting the interior of your home before moving is one of the smartest home improvement projects you can undertake. Above all, a coat of paint will make even a new home look fresh and inviting. And painting the walls and ceilings of your home will be much easier if you don’t have to move or cover a ton of furniture, window coverings, or things.
Changing locks and codes
This is one project that many homeowners overlook, but it’s very important: change (or re-lock) the locks and any security codes associated with the home. Homeowners have typically handed out the keys to their home to contractors, neighbors, cleaners, and even dog walkers over the years. And they’re not always good at remembering them, so it’s possible that a lot of people have the keys to your house when you move in, or the codes to the alarm system you inherited. It’s time to change those keys and codes before you move, get caught up in your daily life, and forget to do so.
And yes, you should change the locks even if the house is new. The developer likely has the master keys to these locks or a record of the alarm system codes, and you don’t want to rely on their discretion or competence when it comes to your safety.
Window replacement
Window replacement is expensive , so it’s no surprise that people tend to put off the project. If the windows in your home are in decent condition (even if they are old), putting off replacing them is money in your pocket.
But old windows, even if functional, will be an irritant to the eye, they won’t be very effective in terms of soundproofing, and they won’t be very energy efficient. Delaying this project condemns you to years of drafts , water leaks, and the ability to hear every car driving past your house all too clearly. If you’d rather have more peace and quiet and lower utility bills , bite the bullet and replace those windows immediately.
Air sealing
“Air-tightening” a home is the process of identifying and eliminating cracks and openings that allow climate-controlled air to escape and let in outside cold, heat and/or humidity. If your home is porous and doesn’t have proper insulation, you’ll be constantly losing the battle to maintain comfort inside, and you’ll also be paying a lot for a losing cause.
Sealing your home is the process of identifying air leaks ( a process you can do yourself ) and then caulking and otherwise sealing the cracks you find. While you’re at it, take a look at the insulation in your attic, basement or basement and consider upgrading it (or adding it if it’s missing) to make your home as cozy as possible. It’s much easier to do this before you move in, and doing it as soon as possible will reduce the amount of time you spend on heating or cooling the space.