New Home Owner Tips to be Organized
New Homeowner Tips
Welcome to your organized home! Here are some smart tips to follow to help you settle into your new home in organized style.
- Shout it from your (new) rooftop! Let friends and family know you've moved! Choose from printed moving announcements or send a quick email. Be sure to provide your new address and telephone number.
- Contact local utility companies. If you haven't already done so, you'll need to contact electric, gas, cable, waste/recycling, water and phone providers to set up service in your new home. If your home has a security system, contact the security company and change the codes.
- Get the lay of the land. Locate the circuit breaker panel and make sure it's clearly labeled. Identify where the emergency water turn-off valve and the gas heater switch are located. It's also a good idea to know where the water heater and HVAC units are housed.
- Identify service providers. Unless you are skilled at home repairs, the last thing you'll want to do when an emergency arises is search for a service provider! Check your home warranty for items that are covered. Ask neighbors for referrals for plumbers, HVAC technicians, roofing companies and electrical technicians – have a list ready before you need it!
- Set-up a filing system. You'll want to set up a filing system for keeping home-related documents and receipts organized, including repair and warranty information, insurance policies and any home improvement projects.
- New home toolbox. A new home inevitably means hanging pictures, assembling furniture and other general maintenance needs. Create a small, portable toolbox stocked with the essentials that will help you at move-in and in the future. It should include a hammer, screwdriver (including standard and Phillips bits), tape measure, pliers, duct tape, flashlight, level, safety glasses, wall stud finer, nails, screws, dry wall anchors and Command™ Hooks. A lightweight cordless drill and stepstool are also helpful.
- Be prepared. Put together a first aid kit and make sure everyone knows where it's located. Make sure you have a fire extinguisher on each level of your home. Identify nearby doctors and dentists through your insurance company. Find out where the nearest hospital/emergency room and 24-hour clinics are located for unexpected emergencies. Plan and communicate emergency/evacuation routes with your family.
- In the community. If available, visit your new home's municipal Web site to learn of services and events that may be of interest to you. Locate the nearest library and shopping destinations. Contact your child's school for a schedule and to set up a tour.
- Make space in your closets. Whenever possible, it's a super idea to makeover the closets in your new home before moving in. Standard construction closets generally only offer a single shelf and closet rod, which is an incredibly inefficient use of space. Try our free design services using elfa, the premier shelving and drawer system.
- Contain your cabinets. Before unpacking your kitchen and bathrooms, measure lower cabinets so that you can install some kind of pull-out organizer. Once everything has been moved in, you'll love how easy items are to see and access. It's a lot easier to do this before unpacking than to go back later and do it! While you're at it, add a drawer and shelf liner to all cabinets and drawers before unpacking – it will make clean-up in the future breeze!
