Bud Dietrich, Houzz Contributor and Builder

Our son and daughter-in-law only purchased their kickoff home. It'due south in a location that allows an easy commute into Boston, where our son works, and is just a few towns abroad from where his married woman works. The house is in a older suburb adjacent to Boston, and is itself older and in need of some TLC. Then rather than move in correct away, the new homeowners will stay in their apartment until the lease is up. They'll spend merely about every gratuitous moment of the few months getting their house ready to alive in.

Of form, we didn't let them do all of this alone. Uncle Ralph and I traveled to Boston to spend a week helping them clean, paint and otherwise become the house fix. 1 of the things that we really helped with is how to prioritize tasks. Since it's getting close to winter, we stressed the importance of getting but the about basic exterior things done. Fixing up the 1000, cleaning the siding, touching up the paint etc. can all expect for the spring. What really needed to be done is the inside, not simply and then they can move in but so they can live at that place comfortably through the approaching winter.

With that in mind, here's a list of tasks that needed doing. It'd be great to hear from y'all what your list of tasks would exist.

one. Change the locks on the outside doors.Equally soon as the endmost is over and you lot've gotten the keys to your house, either buy and install new lock sets or accept a locksmith come to the house to switch them out. Let's face information technology, the previous owners, Realtors, maintenance folks and who knows who else are all likely to accept keys to your place. For some peace of mind and every bit a necessary step in making this house yours, get new locks installed immediately.

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2. Get the house cleaned upwards.While many folks will get out the house clean for yous, some won't. Even if they practise, you lot'll want to clean everything for yourself. You tin can hire a service to practise this, something I heartily recommend if fourth dimension is tight, or you tin do it yourself. If you do information technology yourself, set upwards an area with all of the supplies and tools you'll need to become the task done: buckets, brooms, mops, a vacuum, cleaners for each type of surface etc. Washing down cabinets, counters and plumbing fixtures and cleaning the carpeting etc. will make you experience good about the house. And don't forget a salubrious supply of rubber gloves. No sense ruining that manicure!

3. Paint all the walls and ceilings.This tin can be actually fourth dimension consuming, so yous'll probably want to hire professionals if you can. In that location's no indicate in just slapping up a coat of pigment if the walls and ceilings are damaged — if they take cracks, holes and other defects. Prepping these surfaces can be a real task. So unless you have a relative or two who can help, save yourself a lot of time and only hire someone.Also, if you're short on fourth dimension and the house is in dire straits and every surface needs painting, consider one neutral color for every room. This will just arrive easier and limit the number of decisions you'll have to make now. You can e'er go back and repaint rooms the colors you want as time permits.

4. Get some cupboard organizers.Many older houses suffer from closets that take a simple pole and shelf (if that). Wait at where yous'll store what and go the closets outfitted to conform everything, to brand moving in less stressful and your life in the new house more enjoyable.

And don't only expect at the closets. Recollect about where you'll put everything, from winter boots to laundry detergent. A well-placed extra shelf, glaze claw etc. will become a long mode toward making the firm that much easier to live in.

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v. Install new switch plates and other devices. Many older houses, especially those that have undergone a serial of renovations, will take mismatched outlets, dirty and discolored cover plates, and rusted or damaged air vent covers. I detect that replacing all of these and so that there'southward a uniformity and newness to them makes a home feel newer and, understandably, cleaner. While switching out a cover plate takes naught more than a small screwdriver, comport in listen that replacing electrical devices isn't necessarily a good DIY project unless yous're really comfortable working with electricity.

6. Have the mechanical equipment cleaned and serviced.Practice this as soon every bit you purchase the firm. Getting the heating and cooling systems cleaned and other routine tasks done is important — as is getting a service contract so if the arrangement stops working in the depths of winter, yous'll non have to overpay to get a technician to come to your dwelling.We've ever had good luck request our new neighbors which visitor they have constitute to be reputable and attentive for this work. Information technology'due south also a nifty way to encounter the neighbors.

7. Install window treatments.Whether you have these custom made or you lot go for some inexpensive and temporary shades, yous'll want to become some something on your windows — both for privacy and that finishing touch. There will be time later, as y'all alive in the house and get to know it meliorate, to choose a more than personalized option.

More than: Your Moving-Day Survival Kit