Tips for Moving Into a Newly Built Home

Moving into a new construction home is extremely exciting – you get a blank canvas and it’s up to you to paint it however you wish.

You can customize the space to your liking, furnish it and decorate it as you please, and make it reflect your vision and style – you have the chance to create the home of your dreams. So, you have every reason to be excited.

Moving, however, is always difficult – and moving into a newly built apartment or house makes no exception.

In fact, it even poses an additional set of challenges – issues you wouldn’t need to consider or deal with when moving into a pre-owned home.

To ensure a smooth relocation and get off to a good start in your newly built place, you need to be extremely vigilant – to know what to expect, what to be careful about, and what to do before moving into a new construction home in order to achieve success.

Here are some tips and insights about moving into a newly built home to help you triumph in your endeavor.

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Pros and Cons of Moving Into a Newly Built House

Living in a brand new home sounds like a dream come true – and oftentimes, it really is.

Yet, things may not be as simple or as ideal as they seem – you need to be realistic in your expectations in order to avoid getting disappointed after the move.

Find out the pros and cons of moving into a new construction home, so you know what you’ll be in for if you make such a decision.

Benefits of moving into a newly built home

Newly built homes are comfortable, attractive, and energy-efficient – and there’s a lot to be said about the desirability of living in a place where nobody has lived before.

Customization

One of the biggest advantages of buying a new construction home is that you can add your personal touch to the place even before it is completed.

You get to choose everything – from the type of flooring and the color of siding to the placement of outlets and light fixtures.

You can customize the home to your needs and preferences and have it finished according to your specifications – so you won’t have to make any adjustments after moving in.

Everything will be just the way you want it to be right from the start – your new place will match your taste and your style and will be the perfect home for you and your family.

Blank canvas

Newly built homes have an appealing modern design (clean lines, large windows, an open plan layout, etc.) – and they’re completely bare.

You can unleash your creativity and turn that state-of-the-art, blank space into your dream home – you can come up with a fabulous interior décor, give an artistic vibe to the space, make it elegant, extravagant, or casual… Your imagination is your only limit (well, and maybe your budget).

Less maintenance in the beginning

When you move into a brand new home, everything will be brand new – and everything will be in perfect condition.

No one will have used the kitchen cabinets, household appliances, and bathroom fixtures before; the plumbing, the electrical system, and the HVAC system will be newly installed and efficient; the carpeting, flooring, and tiling will be pristine and untouched – nothing will be damaged, outdated, or run-down, so you won’t need to replace, repair, or renovate anything.

(And even if there’s some issue that needs to be fixed, you won’t need to worry about it as newly built homes come with a range of warranties.)

What’s more, there will be no traces of previous residents and no wear and tear – so, it will be easy to clean the place and keep it in excellent shape.

Maintenance costs will be quite low during the first years after moving into a new construction home.

Lower utility bills

New homes are made to be energy-efficient – they’re built with new construction methods and materials and take advantage of various technological innovations that allow them to use less energy than older homes.

From energy-efficient windows and better insulation to energy-efficient appliances and LED lighting, your new construction home will come with a number of energy-efficient solutions that will keep your utility bills – and your carbon footprint – lower than ever before.

As an added bonus, your new home is likely to be equipped with the latest technology and safety features – fire alarm system, home security system, electronic door locks, smart thermostats, remote-controlled appliances, lighting, and doors, etc. – which will make your life safer, easier, and more comfortable. 

All in all, moving into a newly built house or apartment sounds just great. There are, however, some drawbacks to doing so that must be considered too.

Disadvantages of moving into a newly built home

Moving into a new construction home is not without its challenges and risks:

High costs

New homes tend to be more expensive than older buildings – they could cost up to 20% more than pre-owned homes of similar type.

And that refers only to the base price of the property – it includes nothing more than the structure itself (with standard finishes) and the lot the home sits on.

Any optional add-ons, higher-quality finishes, and other upgrades come at an extra cost.

To get all the features you want your new home to have (hardwood flooring, granite countertop, recessed lighting, etc.) and to make the place look the way you want it look, you’ll have to dig deep into your pockets. 

Inconvenient location

Downtown areas and good neighborhoods are usually all built up – there is no space for new developments there.

Therefore, new homes are often located on the outskirts or in some less desirable parts of a city, away from schools, shopping centers, cultural venues, etc.

If you buy a new construction home, your daily commute may become longer and more difficult.

You may not have easy access to the amenities you need and your kids may not be able to go to a good public school.

Such inconveniences and deprivations may make you reconsider your decision to buy a new construction home located in an area that doesn’t work for you, even if you like the home itself.

The new construction home may not be completely ready by move-in day

If you purchase a home that is still in its construction phase, you may end up without a place to live for a while – if the house is not completed in time and you can’t stay in your old residence after the planned move-out date.

No matter how reliable, experienced, and skilled the builders may be, there may be delays in the schedule – because of inclement weather, technical problems, unforeseen difficulties, human errors, etc.

Things may go wrong and your new construction home may not be ready by the pre-agreed move-in date.

In such a case, you will either have to live in a construction site for some time or move into temporary housing until your new home is completed. Both options are quite disadvantageous, so the risk of buying a house under construction should not be underestimated.

Being aware of both the benefits and possible downsides to moving into a newly built house or apartment will help you make the right decision for you and your family – and if you opt for a new construction home, you’ll know what to expect and will be able to better prepare for the challenges that await you.

What to Do When Moving Into a Newly Built Home

So, you’ve weighed the pros and cons of moving into a newly built place and decided that it is the right choice for you. What you need to do now is to ensure that the new home is as you expect it to be and plan your move.

Here is a moving into new construction checklist to guide you throughout the process and help you achieve success:

Conduct a final inspection – and pay attention to the details

It is a standard practice to do a walk-through of the place before moving into a new construction house – usually about a week or so before the scheduled closing. The purpose of this tour is twofold – to get to know your new home and to check if all is as it should be.

During the walk-through, the builder is supposed to show you everything in the house – from the water valves and dryer vents to the central heating and kitchen appliances – and provide you with all the relevant information (including warranty information, instruction manuals, etc.).

Be sure to pay attention, take notes, and ask questions – you need to get everything clear and make sure the home is completed properly before moving in.

Check everything:

• Inspect the ceilings, walls, and floors – ensure that there are no cracks, dents, or holes, the insulation is well fitted, and the tiling in bathrooms is smooth and sealed;
• Inspect the doors and windows – look for gaps around them and check if they open smoothly, close tightly, and lock securely;
• Run taps and flush toilets;
• Try sockets and switches;
• Open fitted cabinets, cupboards, and drawers;
• Turn on the appliances to make sure they work.

If you notice any problems, note them down and take photographs – then ask the builder to fix the issues before move-in day. Do not close on the property until all of the repairs are done or you have it in writing that they will be completed in a specific timeframe.

Do not be tempted to cut corners on the final inspection, thinking that everything will be perfect just because it’s new – the builders may have made a mistake or overlooked something, an item or material may be faulty, etc. You need to make sure that everything is as promised and in perfect working order – so you need to have enough time to inspect everything in detail. You’re therefore advised to plan on at least a couple of hours for your final inspection.

In fact, it may be a good idea to hire a professional inspector to do the walk-through with you – the expert will know what to look for in the structural integrity and functionality of a brand new home and may notice things that would have passed you by. If you don’t hire a professional inspector, at least make sure you have a friend or family member with you – two pairs of eyes are less likely to miss something important. 

Allow for flexibility

When moving into a new construction home, it’s important to have some cushion time between leaving your old residence and moving into your new place.

Something may go awry – the new home may not be completed on schedule, there may be delays in the closing process, etc. – and you may not be able to move into your new property as planned.

You don’t want to find yourself without a place to live, so you need to make sure that you won’t have to move out of your old home until a few weeks after your scheduled closing date.

Make a floor plan of your new home

One of the most important things to do before moving into a new construction house is to plan your new space:

• Take accurate measurements of the rooms, hallways, and doorways in your new home to see if your old furniture and other larger household items will fit in. Decide what new furnishings you will have to buy for your new place;
• Think about how to set up your new home – think about which room will serve what purpose, what will fit where, how to best arrange the space, how to add elegance and charm to the ambiance, etc. Find a way to make your new home safe, functional, comfortable, and beautiful;
• Design an interior décor that reflects your personality and your aesthetic taste, so your new place becomes your sweet home right from the start.

Make a floor plan of your new home, so you can create your interior design project more easily and more accurately. Once you know how you want your new place to look, make a list of the things you will bring from your old home (those of your old items that fit the available space and match the new home décor) and a list of the things you will need to buy for your new house or apartment.

Pare down your possessions

Now that you know exactly which of your belongings you will take to your new place, it’s time to declutter your home and get rid of everything you don’t need or don’t like anymore.

Sell, donate, or give away items in good condition and throw away (or recycle) the rest of your unwanted possessions – the less stuff you bring to your new home, the easier and the cheaper your move is going to be (and the less clutter there will be in your newly built place).

See also: How to decide what to take and what to throw away when moving; How to get rid of unwanted items when moving

Find a mover and schedule your relocation

The next item on your moving into a new construction home checklist is to find reliable movers to help you relocate – ask for recommendations, read moving reviews, check moving company ratings, fill out a free moving quote form to get in touch with several reputable moving professionals in your area, request on-site estimates of your moving costs from three or four top-rated movers that seem to meet your needs and requirements, compare their offers, and pick the best moving partners for you.

Research them thoroughly to make sure you’re dealing with licensed, experienced, and trustworthy professionals, and book their services for your preferred moving date.

Work out the details of your move with your chosen movers and plan every aspect of the relocation process with care and consideration.

Must-read: How to choose a moving company

Good to remember: Even if your new construction home is completed, it may be located in a zone that is still under construction – so, you may not yet have a paved driveway, the area around your home may be muddy or dusty, there may be construction machines around, etc.

If so, warn your moving company in advance so they can prepare accordingly – your newly built home may be inaccessible to a large moving truck and your belongings may have to be shuttled in from an adjacent street; there may be need of special moving equipment or a bigger moving crew; etc.

Change your address

Be sure to change your address with the USPS – and notify all people and institutions you have dealings with of your new address – a few weeks prior to your move.

You need to take care of this well in advance as your new construction home comes with a new address that many businesses and organizations may not have registered on their databases – so it may take quite some time until things get in order.

See also: How to change your address when moving

Arrange for utilities

You’ll want to have electricity, gas, and water in your new home when you move in, so you need to remember to arrange for utilities ahead of time.

(Unlike when moving into an existing home where the services are already connected, you need to arrange to have utilities hooked up in your newly built place – it may take longer than when simply switching utilities from the previous owner to you, so be sure to call the utility companies well in advance.)

Keep in mind though that many providers won’t establish service until you’ve legally taken possession of the home.

See also: How to transfer utilities when moving

Pack your belongings

Packing is the most laborious and time-consuming task you need to take care of when moving house – and it’s no different when moving into a newly built home.

You need to get appropriate packing supplies, organize your belongings, and provide them with good enough protection to survive the move safe and sound.

Get familiar with the golden rules of packing and follow an efficient packing timeline to avoid rookie packing mistakes. Pack your belongings with care and use the safest and most efficient packing techniques for packing different kinds of items.

Do not forget to prepare an essentials box with the items you’re going to need on moving day and immediately after arriving in your new home. (Be sure to include some bulbs and batteries, as builders usually do not put bulbs in light fixtures or batteries in smoke alarms.)

Label the boxes clearly and use color-coding, so every carton and every item is taken directly to the room where it belongs.

Protect your new property on move-in day

The last thing you want when moving into a newly built apartment or house is to stain or damage the new floors, walls, stairs, railings, doors, etc.

To avoid this, you need to take measures to protect your new home on move-in day – cover the floors with plastic tarps or drop cloths, cover the walls with heavy-duty packing paper, wrap banisters with moving blankets, use corner guards where necessary, protect door frames with foam padding, etc.  (See also: How to prevent property damage when moving)

Take furniture and other larger household items into place first (it will be easier to do so without boxes and miscellaneous smaller items in the way) and position them exactly where you want them to be (use your floor plan for reference), so you don’t need to haul them around the rooms later on (and risk damaging the floors in the process).

Good to remember: Your house is still drying out, so try to keep the indoor humidity levels low and do not turn the thermostat too high –  excessive heat can cause small cracks to develop in paint and other building materials (due to shrinkage) and high humidity may prolong the drying process.

Settle in

So, you’ve moved into your new construction home, unpacked, and set up the space.

Your next step is to ensure safety (change the locks as a lot of people have had access to the house during the construction phase, childproof (or pet-proof) your new home, get adequate homeowner’s insurance, etc.) and make your new place feel like home (introduce plants to the space, hang your favorite photos and pictures on the walls, decorate the rooms to your liking, and bring comfort, coziness, and warmth to the home).

Resist the urge to get everything decorated right away though – it will take some time to get used to the house and figure out exactly where an item fits best, exactly what a certain space needs, and exactly how you want your home décor to look and feel.

Good to remember: There may be some minor issues with the newly built home – a squeaky door, a malfunctioning fixture, etc. – that you won’t find until after you’ve settled in. Address such problems without delay so you can take advantage of the coverage under the builder’s warranty – and so you have peace of mind that your new home is in perfect condition.

Once you’ve turned your new place into your personal heaven, take the time to get acquainted with your new area – explore the surroundings, try the new amenities, and meet the neighbors. Throw a housewarming party to celebrate your new beginning and start creating new happy memories in your new construction home. (See also: How to adapt to a new environment after moving)

Our tips for moving into a newly built home will get you happily settled in your dream home – and you’ll be able to build your new life from there. Good luck!