However, moving into a custom home can also be challenging. Whether it’s unpacking, reorganising, or finalising inspections, settling into your new house requires work. As a trusted provider of cost-efficient Gold Coast knockdown rebuilds since 1996, we know meticulous preparation and execution are the keys to your success. Our proven track record provides you with timely insights for your project.
This blog explains the basics of settling into your new custom home, providing you with a smooth transition and peace of mind.
Plan Ahead
Moving is a significant and stressful undertaking. Big families pose a greater logistical challenge for Australian homeowners. For these reasons, we recommend planning your move early to prevent chaos, navigate obstacles, and ensure a seamless transition.
Consider including these items in your moving checklist:
- Hire professional removalists: These professionals help homeowners save time and effort. Their specialised equipment and expertise enable them to do the heavy lifting for you.
- Obtain packing materials: Order sturdy packing boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, and other essential supplies before your move.
- Contact your utility providers: Moving entails contacting your utility providers, including those for electricity, water, gas, and other services, to update your billing address and information.
- Update your postal address: Update your postal address so you can receive incoming mail and subscriptions at your new custom home.
- Arrange internet access: We recommend setting up your Wi-Fi or internet connection several days before moving into your custom home to ensure hassle-free internet access.
- Set up home insurance: Home insurance covers repair costs for fire, storms, theft, or vandalism, providing long-term peace of mind.
- Hire professional cleaners: Settling into your custom home can be messy. Hiring established professional cleaners can relieve you of the tasks of sanitising and disinfecting your new house.
Schedule A Pre-Handover Inspection
A final site inspection with your builder ensures each aspect, including colours, finishes, and furnishings, meets your expectations. This strategy also allows your Brisbane custom home builder to address any issues and deliver peace of mind before you receive the keys to your new custom home.
List questions for your builder to cover every aspect, including plumbing, heating and cooling systems, smart technology, sustainability, and long-term maintenance. Your builder can address any issues and offer guidance on maintaining your custom home.
Prepare Your Old Home for Sale or Tenancy
Transitioning into your new home requires proper turnover, cleaning, and upkeep of your old residence. Assess your long-term financial goals to help you decide early whether to sell or rent your old house. Either way, align the start date with your new home’s handover to ensure a seamless transition.
Remove personal belongings and excess furniture from your new home. Consider hiring professional cleaners to ensure it appeals to prospective buyers. If your old house has leaks, cracked tiles, or damaged fixtures, contact a reputable builder to address these issues immediately.
Hire a real estate agent to help determine the appropriate selling or rental price for your old home. This professional ensures your old house meets safety and compliance standards and organises contracts, disclosures, and certificates. He can also advertise your old property online or in print publications.
Settle In At Your Own Pace
Consider settling into your custom home at your own pace. Moving haphazardly can lead to severe consequences, including disorganisation, increased risk of damage, overlooked maintenance issues, and financial strain. Instead, moving in gradually helps you become more accustomed to your new surroundings without rushing.
The following steps can help you achieve this objective:
1) Prioritise essential areas
Organise the bedrooms, bathrooms, and the kitchen first to minimise disruptions to your daily schedule. You can organise non-essential spaces, such as the guest rooms and storage areas, later.
2) Unpack in stages
Unpack your “first-week essentials” box with toiletries, clothes, tools, and kitchen essentials first to prevent constant searching and manage stress levels.
Arrange one room at a time rather than unpacking everything at once. Classify your items into essentials, non-essentials, and storage items to ensure organised, hassle-free unpacking.
3) Test systems and layouts
Acclimate yourself to your new surroundings for several days. Adjust fixture placement, storage solutions, and daily routines before finalising your preferred arrangements.
Customise Your Space
As the term suggests, a custom home aligns with homeowners’ unique preferences and lifestyles. For this reason, adding a personal touch to your home empowers you to take charge of your new surroundings.
Add fixtures, artwork, and decorations that appeal to you and your family. Integrate smart home technology, such as LED lighting and centralised security systems, to enhance comfort and convenience. Natural light and ventilation, custom storage solutions, statement walls, alfresco areas, and multipurpose rooms improve functionality and deliver a high return on investment.
You don’t need to decorate each space immediately—many homeowners often discover the best decorative solutions over time. If this applies to you, take your time, organise your thoughts, and execute your preferred strategy.
Integrate Into Your New Neighbourhood
Familiarising yourself with your new neighbourhood fosters a sense of community and belonging. Explore your new surroundings, including the local park, shops, grocery stores, entertainment centres, fitness centres, libraries, and other amenities to get a feel of your new community.
Join community groups or local events to build a strong rapport with people in your area. Familiarise yourself with schools, hospitals, police stations, rubbish collection, public transport, and local council services. If your new community has a local sports team, watch their games at the stadium or arena and meet new people in your neighbourhood.
Before long, you will settle into your new community, enjoy your custom home, and congratulate yourself for a job well done.
Conclusion
Moving into your custom home can be exciting. However, challenges such as unpacking, reorganising, and finalising inspections require meticulous planning and execution.
Following our recommended strategies, including preparing your old home for sale or tenancy, settling in gradually, customising your space, and integrating into your new neighbourhood ensures a memorable transition into your exciting new chapter in life.
Take the first step in your custom home project today. Since 1996, Unique Built has empowered Southeast Queensland homeowners with premium Brisbane knockdown rebuilds that exceed expectations.
