I’m a General Contractor. Here are the first five things to do to your new home.
YEAH for Firsts!
Congratulations on home-ownership—it’s exciting! You’re embarking on a new adventure just like…leaving home for the first time, starting a new career, or welcoming your first child into this world! And as exciting as all those events can be, they can also be a bit terrifying! It can feel overwhelming to walk through this new thing that you own and maybe don’t fully understand. I still remember when I first bought a home that came with a sprinkler system. Even after repairing them and working on them for customers for years, it was intimidating to be responsible for my own system. So I learned, and so can you! Deep breaths help, and no, you didn’t just make the biggest mistake of your life!
Let’s tackle one thing at a time. Here is my list of suggestions upon taking ownership of your new home:
If your home was previously occupied, consider rekeying the locks and changing garage door openers and keypads. This doesn’t always require buying all new systems. Often, you can just change the code to the garage door openers; if your locks have a smart key changing system, simply use that. Product Suggestion: Smart Key Changing
Check smoke and carbon detection systems. One, check to see if they work by pressing the test button; if everything works right, this should be loud and annoying. Batteries should be changed once a year. But two, make sure the detection systems haven’t expired. Smoke detectors should be replaced every ten years and carbon detectors last an average of seven years; the combination smoke and carbon detectors last two to three years. If they are expired, think about getting combination smoke/carbon monoxide detectors like these.
Locate your home’s shut off valves for water, gas, and electrical. Your main water shut off should be located in a mechanical room or crawl space. The gas line will be outside attached to the gas meter. Electrical will be located in the electrical box—perhaps outside, in the garage, or located somewhere in the home. (Schedule a Knome DIY walkthrough for personalized instruction.)
Make sure you have fire extinguishers in the home. Plan for one in the kitchen, garage, and mechanical room. I’ve never needed to use one in my own home but I know right where they are if I do! Product Suggestion: Fire-Extinguisher
Lastly, educate every capable adult and child in the home as to the location of shut off valves and extinguishers. If you’re out of the house and something goes sideways, someone else should know what to do.
Two things I have always told my customers through the years: One, stay up to date on the maintenance—this is the stuff that pops up and can be really inconvenient, like a leaking toilet or a light switch that’s not working. By addressing things as they come along, you’ll save yourself a future headache.
And two, plan to do just one bigger update/remodel every year, i.e. paint the house, redo a bathroom or add a front or back patio. This is how I try to take care of my own home because I feel that it is doable. Of course you have dreams for your new home, but it doesn’t have to happen all at once. Pace yourself and enjoy your home along the way.
Cheers to the adventure ahead! You’ve got this!
Steve Redder, based in Fort Collins, CO, has over 20 yrs. experience in construction, home maintenance, repairs and remodeling.