If you recently moved into a new home, here is some great ideas on small repairs that will pay back in a huge way. But this isn’t the case – you need to check to see if you’ve got to make any necessary repairs. You might not know what things to fix when moving into a New Home so we have put together a New Home Repair Checklist. Call Plano Texas Handyman at 214-507-3415 to discuss these items for your new home.

There are many who move into a new home every year after spending months trying to find that that perfect place for their family. Moving is always an exciting time for anyone and finding the right place after viewing so many new homes, you can’t wait to get packed and moving, but before you get too comfortable, remember, there are several items to acknowledge and repair to make your new home a perfect long term peace of mind.

1. Change the locks, install smart locks
You just don’t know how many people have a copy of the keys. When a house goes up for sale, a lot of people have access to it (think: listing agents, selling agents, and maintenance workers). Plus, you can’t be sure who the previous owners offered a spare set. So, with that in mind, if you’re worried about how many people have the same set of keys as you, be sure to get your locks changed by installing new locks or better yet, key less smart locks. Also, if the house has an alarm system, remember to change the code. And don’t forget the garage door and the fence gates. New Home Repairs

Install smart locks to make it convenient for family members to enter the home without keys and quests. A really great improvement for a small investment. New Home Repairs

2. Check for moisture stains
Your inspector should have noted any discolored yellow rings on your drywall, but give your home another once-over right before you move in. Any necessary repair work will be easier to tackle when the space isn’t crammed with your stuff. Include the inside of the cabinets for water stains and have them painted with a stain blocker. If you notice any stains on ceilings or need the attic/loft, inspect the roof to see if there are any tears or holes. Roof damage can often let in the elements and cause moisture in the home.

3. Replace all Plumbing Parts
A simple and productive solution to make sure your home plumbing system is in top working order. A) Replace all toilet flush valves and flappers. B) Replace kitchen faucets and bathroom faucets. I can almost assure you that the faucets are worn and have considerable rust and/or calcium build-up. C) Check all cut-off valves to make sure they work properly.

4. Locate the shut-off valves
Find the main water shut-off valve and check to see if you need special tools – like a wrench or a key – to operate it. If you suddenly have a plumbing leak and there’s water pouring into your house, you need to be able to get to the valve and turn off the water quickly. Repairing water damage is costly so you want to take whatever steps you can to minimize or avoid it. New Home Repairs

And no, these valves aren’t in the same place in every home. Usually the valves are located in the front of the house in the water meter. You will need a key to open to open the water meter cover and these can be bought from Home Depot.

5. Locate the circuit breaker box.
If an electrical fire starts, you should know where to go to turn off all the power in the house. Now would also be a good time to label the switches if they’re not already marked. You’ll need two people: One to flip the switch and one to holler when the lights go out. You would be surprised to find out how many electrical panels are not marked properly.

6. Replace the batteries in smoke detectors
Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors aren’t always checked during a home inspection. And even if they are, something could happen between the inspection and the time you move in. You could push the button, it could work fine, and then the battery could die. Working smoke alarms save lives, so swap out all the batteries with fresh ones. Smoke alarms wear out over time and it is always best to replace them with new technology. New Home Repairs

7. Give carpets a deep clean
Even if the previous owners didn’t have pets, it’s worth the couple hundred dollars to hire a professional to come in. They have the heavy duty steam-powered machines that can kill germs and dust mites, – and who knows when the carpets were last cleaned. This could help with any dust mites that might have been hiding under your mattress. We recommend calling in the pros once a year, so take advantage of the empty house and do it now.

8. Change the heating and cooling filters
A new disposable filter costs about $15. The damage that could be caused by an old filter is enormous. A whole new system could cost you up to $30,000. If you don’t replace the filter, it could cut down on efficiency, or worse, cause the system to overheat and completely fail.

9. Install closet systems
Moving is one of the few times in life when you have a clear gauge of how much stuff you really have, so you can plot out a helpful closet system pretty well. If you install drawers, shelves, and hanging rods before you move in, you can unpack and organize your stuff at once. Everything goes right into place and you’re done. New Home Repairs

10. Paint
Okay, so you can do some decorating before you move in: Paint your heart out. The benefits are two-fold. Painting in advance gives the house time to air out before you’re actually living there, and your furniture won’t be in the way while you’re working. Some people say to paint after you move in (so you know how the light changes throughout the day) but if you spend time in the new place completing this checklist, you should have a decent idea. Paint some test swatches on the walls and see how you like them over a few days. New Home Repair Checklist

11. Install a security system
Afraid of what might be lurking in or outside your home when you’re away? Fear for your family’s safety when you’re all home for the night? Installing the absolute best home security cameras around your property can do wonders to ease your mind, giving you the added protection you deserve and serving as a crucial deterrent to potential intruders. But with so many features and price points available, picking the right camera for your home security needs can be overwhelming. Our goal is to provide you with the best security camera options and point out the key features that differentiate them from one another to help you pick the right security camera for your home. Note that many home security systems can have cameras as part of the system,

Call Ted with Plano Texas handyman at 214-507-3415 for an assessment of your new home projects or visit our website for all our capabilities. Things to fix when moving into a New Home, New Home Repair Checklist