Moving to a new home is a significant life event, filled with excitement and anticipation. However, it can also be a complex process with many details to manage. This is especially true when moving into a historic home, which comes with its own unique set of considerations. Unlike modern properties, historic homes often require additional planning and preparation due to their age, architectural features, and potential regulatory requirements. This guide will walk you through the entire process, from the initial planning stages to settling in, providing expert tips and checklists to make your move as smooth and stress-free as possible.
I. Before the Move: Planning and Preparation
* **A. Understanding Your New Home (Especially if Historic)**
* **Research the History:** Before you even start packing, take the time to **delve into the history of your new home**. Understanding its past can help you appreciate its unique characteristics and prepare for potential challenges. Check the **National Register of Historic Places** and local historic associations for information. Knowledge of your home's history can inform your approach to maintenance, restoration, and even decoration.
* **Deed Restrictions:** Be aware that many historic properties come with **deed restrictions** that may affect your ability to make alterations. These restrictions are designed to preserve the historic character of the home and may limit the types of changes you can make. Always check with the local historic association to make sure any work you do doesn't violate any of their codes.
* **B. Essential Inspections**
* **Why Professional Inspections are Crucial**: Emphasize that **professional inspections are absolutely necessary** when buying any home, but they are especially important when purchasing an older property. These inspections can uncover potential issues that may not be visible during a regular walkthrough.
* **Electrical Inspections:**
* **Knob-and-Tube Wiring:** Be aware that homes built before 1950 often have **knob-and-tube wiring**, an outdated and potentially unsafe electrical system. While it may not be mandatory to replace it, many homeowners choose to upgrade to a more modern system for safety and peace of mind. Any lights on knob and tube should use LED bulbs only.
* **Check Electrical Panels, Outlets and Light Switches:** It is important to check all electrical panels, outlets, and light switches to make sure they are working correctly.
* **Plumbing Inspections**:
* **Pipe Types**: Inspect the types of pipes in your new home, with copper and PEX being preferred materials.
* **Sewer Scope and Relining**: Consider getting your sewage scoped, and that descaling cast iron pipes can help keep problems at bay for several years. For a long-term solution, relining your pipes can provide lifetime safety.
* **Leaks and Clogs:** Check all plumbing for leaks and clogs. Make sure that drains are free of hair or debris.
* **Foundation Inspections:** Be sure to **check the foundation** for any cracks, moisture, or soft spots. These issues can lead to significant problems if not addressed early.
* **Mold, Asbestos and Lead Paint**: It is important to have your home tested for mold, asbestos, and lead paint, especially if your home was built before 1980. A professional inspector can check for common warning signs associated with asbestos, including old insulation, textured paint, popcorn ceilings, and tiled floors. Be aware that older homes may contain lead paint that should be safely removed before renovations.
- C. Financial Prep and Logistics
* Insurance: Don’t wait until the last minute to calculate the costs of insuring your historic home. Historic homes can sometimes require specialized insurance policies due to their unique features and potential risks. Check out resources like National Trust Insurance Services to learn more.
* Appraisals: Before signing any contracts, be sure to have the property appraised. This is important so that mortgage lenders can verify the property’s value. This step is also a good way to verify that the purchase price is reasonable.
* Moving Budget: Create a detailed budget for all moving-related expenses. This can help you to avoid unexpected costs.
* Research Movers: Get quotes from multiple moving companies. It is recommended that you get at least three quotes before choosing one.
* DIY vs. Professional: When considering whether to hire movers or do it yourself, consider your budget and the amount of work and stress you are able to handle.
* Order Moving Supplies: Get your boxes, tape, bubble wrap, and other necessary packing supplies in advance. This can help ensure you’re ready when it’s time to start packing.- D. Setting up Utilities and Services
- Contact Utility Companies: Set up essential services like electricity, gas, water, and internet well in advance of your move. Note the start dates for billing and verify that services have been transferred.
- Address Changes: Update your address with USPS, banks, memberships, and any other relevant organizations. Use the USPS change of address form to forward your mail.
- E. Safety and Security
- Change Locks: Change all locks immediately upon moving into your new home. Consider upgrading to smart locks for added convenience. Be sure to also change garage codes and any other entry codes.
- Install Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Check to ensure that smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are present and working. Replace old batteries or detectors as needed.
- Locate Shutoffs: Know the location of your main water, gas, and electric shutoffs. This information can be crucial in case of an emergency.
- F. Decluttering and Packing
- Purge Unwanted Items: Declutter your home before packing to lighten your load. This can also lower the cost of hiring movers.
- Packing Strategies:
- Label Boxes Clearly: Label each box with its contents and the room it should be placed in.
- Color-Coding: Consider color-coding boxes by room to make the unpacking process easier.
- Pack Fragile Items Separately: Handle delicate and fragile items with care.
- Create an Immediate Needs Box: Pack a box with essentials that you’ll need right away, including cleaning supplies, paper plates, cutlery, toilet paper, phone chargers, medications, and toiletries.
- D. Setting up Utilities and Services
II. Moving Day: Execution and Logistics
* **A. Prepping the New Home**
* **Clean Thoroughly:** Do a deep clean of the new home before moving in any furniture.
* Pay special attention to kitchens and bathrooms.
* Clean behind and under appliances.
* Clean all drains.
* Clean the gutters.
* Clean all duct vents and replace furnace filters.
* **Test Fixtures:** Check that smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, HVAC, water fixtures, and electricity are working properly. Make sure to test your sump pump, if you have one.
* **Take Meter Readings**: Record all meter readings for utilities on the day you move in.
* **B. Managing the Move**
* **Clear Paths:** Ensure that pathways are clear of any obstacles, to avoid accidents or delays.
* **Supervise Movers:** If using professional movers, be present and available to coordinate with them.
* **Record Boxes**: Do a final check of all boxes before the movers load them to ensure that everything has been accounted for, and keep a record of how many boxes are being moved.
* **Protect Historic Features:** Take extra care when moving furniture to avoid damaging original architectural features, such as door frames, floors, and intricate wood carvings.
- C. First Day Essentials
* Bathroom and Bedroom: Set up the bathroom and bedrooms first so that they are functional right away.
* Essentials: Have a bag of basics ready, including toiletries, change of clothes, medications, phone chargers, and other immediate necessities.- First Meal: Plan for a first meal in the new home. Some suggest pizza on a cardboard box as part of a celebratory tradition.
III. Settling In: Post-Move Tasks
* **A. Unpacking and Organizing**
* **Prioritize Essentials:** Unpack necessities first. Items such as bed sheets, towels, soap, and toilet paper are crucial to have on hand.
* **Tackle One Room:** Focus on unpacking one room at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
* **Closet Plan**: Create a plan for how to organize your closets and storage areas. This will prevent clutter and help keep you organized in the long run.
* **Valuables**: Secure important documents and valuables as soon as possible to avoid any potential loss or damage.
* **B. Home Maintenance**
* **Check Property**: Check for leaks or damage to the structure, inside and out. Make sure downspouts are pushing water away from the house.
* **Regular Maintenance**: Begin regular maintenance, such as cleaning the gutters, and consider getting a pressure washer to keep your decks and sidewalks clean.
* **Home Inventory:** Take photos of every room, with dimensions, to use as a reference when purchasing items for the house or making repairs. These can also be helpful for insurance purposes.
* **C. Getting Accustomed to Your New Location**
* **Explore Neighborhood**: Discover local shops, restaurants, parks, and other amenities.
* **Meet Neighbors**: Introduce yourself to your new neighbors to help build a sense of community.
* **Community Engagement:** Find local events or join community groups to help you connect with others.
IV. Special Considerations for Historic Homes
* **A. Renovation and Restoration**
* **Compliance**: Emphasize the importance of complying with historic preservation codes and restrictions before starting any renovations or restoration projects.
* **Professional Guidance:** Seek advice from preservation organizations, agencies, and professionals who specialize in historic home renovations.
* **B. Maintaining Historic Features**
* **Preserve Original Elements:** Be sure to protect and maintain original architectural elements, such as windows, doors, and molding, while cleaning and during the moving process. Consider using picture rails to hang art, as they do not damage the plaster walls.
* **Historic Resources**: Utilize resources for historic home owners, such as vintage parts and fitting companies.
* **Window Preservation Alliance**: For US contacts for replacement windows and contractors that specialize in century homes, check out http://windowpreservationalliance.org/.
* **Vintage House Parts**: For reclaimed vintage parts and fittings in Maryland, see http://vintagehousepart.com.
* **Second Chance**: For reclaimed vintage parts and fittings in Maryland, see http://www.secondchanceinc.org/.
* **EW Salvage**: For reclaimed vintage parts and fittings in Washington, see http://ewsalvage.com/.
* **Second Use**: For reclaimed vintage parts and fittings in Washington, see http://www.seconduse.com/.
* **Ballard Reuse**: For reclaimed vintage parts and fittings in Washington, see http://ballardreuse.com/.
* **Bauer Brothers Salvage**: For reclaimed vintage parts and fittings in Minnesota, see http://bauerbrotherssalvage.com/.
* **Guilded Salvage**: For reclaimed vintage parts and fittings in Minnesota, see http://www.guildedsalvage.com/.
* **City Salvage**: For reclaimed vintage parts and fittings in Minnesota, see http://citysalvage.com/.
* **Architectural Accents**: For reclaimed vintage parts and fittings in Georgia, see http://www.architecturalaccents.com/.
* **House of Antique Hardware**: For picture rail kits and hardware, see https://www.houseofantiquehardware.com/picture-rail-molding.
* **Maintenance**: Learn specific maintenance techniques for older homes, such as plaster maintenance.
* **C. Energy Efficiency**
* **Upgrades:** Discuss potential upgrades to improve energy efficiency without compromising historic character. It is important to be mindful of how you upgrade an old home to maintain its historic value.
* **LED Bulbs:** Use LED bulbs to save on energy costs.
V. Conclusion
Moving into a new home, especially a historic one, can be both an exciting and challenging endeavor. By following this comprehensive guide, you’ll be well-prepared to navigate the process smoothly, from the initial planning and preparation stages to settling in. The rewards of owning a historic home are numerous, from the unique character and history to the sense of community it can bring. Remember to take your time, prioritize what’s most important, and enjoy the journey of making your new house a home.
VI. Call to Action
We hope this guide has provided you with valuable information and resources. Use the provided checklists and tips to help you stay organized and manage the various tasks involved in moving. We encourage you to share your own moving experiences, ask questions, and leave comments below for further assistance.
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