8 mistakes to avoid while moving into a new home

8 mistakes to avoid while moving into a new home

Moving into a new home is always a special experience. At the same time, it is also regarded as one of the most stressful times in one’s life. Individuals must simultaneously pay attention to many things, from packing and cleaning to saying goodbye to their old home, which makes it a bittersweet episode. To make this transition smoother, we have discussed eight mistakes one must avoid while moving into a new home.

Not verifying if the new home is ready to move into
Individuals must check whether their new home is ready to move into before moving day. If the property or the space around it is undergoing renovations, it increases the risk of injuries, accidents, and allergies.

Not having the utilities up and running
For a hassle-free living experience, one must ensure that utilities like gas, water, electricity, and Wi-Fi are up and running. Failing to do so may cause frustration, unexpected delays, and increased expenses during the initial days in the new home.

Failing to hire a mover
Moving homes is a long and cumbersome process. Instead of trying to navigate the journey independently, individuals must hire a moving company. These professional services make the packing process stress-free by bringing their own resources, from boxes and protection material to moving trucks. However, one should ensure these services are booked well in advance to avoid mix-ups and last-minute delays.

Individuals should research well to find the right moving company according to their needs. When shortlisting names, one should consider the cost, services offered, and professionalism. Reading online reviews is also critical as it helps people make better-informed decisions and increases the likelihood of a smooth transition into the new home.

Not securing the new house well
Another common mistake people make when moving to a new home is failing to secure it against invaders and outside forces. Here are a few security aspects to consider before moving in:

  • Locks
    Secure the new house by changing all the locks so only current occupants can access the property.
  • Windows and doors
    Check whether the windows and doors shut tight and function properly. If not, fix them.
  • Fire extinguisher
    Ensure a functional fire extinguisher is placed on every floor of the house.
  • Escape route
    Create an escape route in case of emergencies, and share it with every occupant.
  • Burglar alarm
    Depending on the neighborhood, installing a burglar alarm may help keep the house safe.

Skipping furniture measurements before the move
Before moving into the new house, individuals must measure it properly to ensure their furniture fits well. One must measure the doorways and hallways besides the living room, bedrooms, and other rooms. This step is critical in ensuring the furniture moves through easily to different living spaces.

Forgetting to pack a survival kit
Usually, there’s a lot of chaos on moving day. It is easy to get swept up in the havoc and forget basic items, such as cell phones, chargers, and wallets. To avoid rummaging through boxes later to find these things, individuals must pack them well. One must also pack a survival kit: a bag containing daily essentials like clothes, non-perishable snacks, toothbrushes, phone chargers, power banks, wallets, towels, and first aid supplies. If possible, people should create separate bags for each family member.

Neglecting one’s valuables
During a move, it is common to misplace items. To ensure no valuables are missed or lost, one must pack them securely. Important documents and other valuables like money, passports, birth certificates, jewelry, precious gifts, and property titles must always remain with the owner, not the movers.

Forgetting to change the address
When moving into a new home, one must immediately have their postal address changed with the USPS (United States Postal Services). Failure to do so may result in losing mail, essential bills, and documents and lead to other unnecessary problems. One can have their address changed in four simple ways:

  • Visit the local post office to complete the Change of Address (COA) procedure.
  • Log into the USPS official website and file a change of address request.
  • Call 1-800-ASK-USPS and follow the prompts to change the address.
  • Post or mail a filled-out PS Form 3575 to the Postmaster, United States Postal Service.
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Top 7 indoor purifiers for improving air quality

Air quality in and around structures can be affected by pollutants like asbestos, carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide, radon, pesticides, indoor particulate matter, tobacco, volatile organic compounds, and wood smoke. Purifier devices are the safest and most trusted options for improving air quality. The country's air purifier market was 2.17 billion in 2020, with a growth estimation of 8.6% by 2028. Here are seven of the best indoor air purifiers to consider for your home: Blue Pure 211+ by Blueair Blueair air purifiers are reliable, and the Blue Pure 211+ can remove a wide range of pollutants and particles trapped in your home. This device has a fabric filter for dust and larger particles and a High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter for smaller particles like mold and bacteria. Another filter is activated by carbon that can remove other dust and odors. Blue Pure 211+ is a compact machine that has proven effective for removing airborne pollutants across 540 sq. ft., and replacements will cost around $70. Airmega AP-1512HH by Coway Coway has been leading the air purifier market for quite some time. The Airmega AP-1512HH is effective for a 361 sq. ft room size and has four filters: HEPA, washable, odor, and bipolar ion. This air purifier is the only one with ionizing functions, along with a programmable timer, four fan speeds, and a filter indicator light. It is a compact machine and one of the market's most highly rated and reviewed air purifiers. Replacement costs are also low. The company runs out of stock frequently; if you are keen on this, track its availability. Macro Pro True HEPA Air Purifier by DREO DREO's Macro Pro is an ideal low-cost air purifier with ultra-fine, HEPA, and pelletized activated carbon filters that can remove odors caused by dogs and a lot of dust. The device has three fan speeds and three additional and separate modes for sleep, turbo, and auto. DREO is fitted with sensors that can adjust the mode and speed settings based on the current air quality in the room. The replacements cost around $30. Core 400S by Levoit Levoit's Core 400S has three filtration stages: nylon, an H13 True HEPA, and activated carbon. The maximum effective room size for this air purifier is 403 sq. ft. You may have to replace the filter every six months for one year at about $50. Levoit claims the Levoit Core 4005 can capture about 99.97% of airborne particles and close to 99.99% of viruses and bacteria. This device can also capture smoke, fumes, pet odors, and cooking smells. HM400 HealthMate® by Austin Air If you want an air purifier that works in larger room sizes and is durable, you can consider the Austin Air HM 400 Healthmate. This device can remove pet dander and chemical and gaseous pollutants for a large room size of 938 sq. ft. The Austin Air HM 400 Healthmate has already been tested and proved to remove volatile organic compounds. While this air purifier is slightly higher on the cost side, it is a durable machine. Pure Cool™ Purifying Tower Fan and TP04 Air Purifier by Dyson It is a standing purifying tower fan that detects air quality in real-time. The activated carbon filter removes odors and gases, and a Glass HEPA filter captures minute allergens and pollutants. This smart machine delivers pure air throughout the room at 77 gallons per second, and it can be operated through a voice-enabled app. Dyson's combination of purification and powerful fan speed makes this product a must-buy. You can set it to nighttime mode, which functions in quiet settings with a dimmed display. HPA300 True HEPA Allergen Remover by Honeywell Honeywell's HPA 300 can purify an area of 465 sq. ft. with a disposable pre-filter and a true HEPA filter. This portable device is easy to use, has four-speed settings, and works almost silently, even in high fan speed settings. Allergens trapped in the house are effectively removed thanks to this durable product. The Honeywell HPA has one of the highest ratings for removing dust, pollen, and smoke. However, the device may need a good amount of maintenance, and replacements are expensive. The need for air purifiers The Environmental Protection Agency says that immediate exposure to household pollutants can lead to headaches, fatigue, dizziness, and irritation in the eyes, nose, or throat. While treatment can cure them, the symptoms may relapse when they come back home. The impact of air quality on people with allergies and sensitivities could be more than cold-like symptoms. Prolonged and continuous exposure to household pollutants can cause respiratory diseases, heart diseases, and cancer. Hence using an air purifier reduces the risk of such diseases. In addition, it can also remove microorganisms and protect you from viral and bacterial infections. Other methods to improve air quality Apart from using an air purifier to remove existing pollutants, pay attention to the household things and remove potential pollutants. Keep the house well ventilated. Check pipes, tanks, and water supply channels for any water leaks that may cause molds. Use professional cleaners to clean your home thoroughly.

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7 kitchen remodeling mistakes to avoid

Renovating kitchens every now and then keeps their look fresh and attractive for longer periods. It is often believed that newly renovated kitchens can also inspire chefs to come up with incredible culinary ideas. However, kitchen renovations can be typically expensive, which is why one must get them right in the first attempt. Certain remodeling mistakes can debilitate the look of a kitchen. Here are some of the most common kitchen remodeling mistakes to avoid: Not setting a budget Before undertaking any renovation project, the first critical step is to make a budget. One needs to decide what features of their kitchen are most important and worth upgrading. Some people may want more cabinet and drawer space to store their cutlery, while others may want a designated pantry to store more food than the refrigerator can handle. Some individuals may simply want to have additional lighting in their kitchen. Whatever the requirement, one needs to create and stick to a budget so they do not waste a lot of money on the remodeling. Choosing kitchen appliances after installing the cabinetry Choosing the appliances after installing the cabinetry is a massive remodeling mistake. Usually, kitchen remodeling involves a lot of measurements and precision tools. So, even a one or two-inch size discrepancy can make or break an installation or the idea of having a space vacant for specific appliances. This is why one must measure the appliances before beginning a remodeling operation. Doing so enables the specifications of appliances to be properly taken into consideration when one lays out everything before a remodeling process begins. Also, measuring and choosing kitchen appliances before installing cabinets allows people to purchase complementary elements and tools in the kitchen to enhance the look and appeal of the appliance as well as the overall kitchen. Installing cabinets before floors As implied above, the order of installation also plays a critical role in making the remodeling operation a success or a failure. One must ideally install the cabinetry after installing the flooring. Doing things the other way around leads to two issues. Firstly, the floor loses its ability to contract and expand, and cupping and peaking become more apparent. Additionally, it is very difficult to remove the floor without damaging the cabinets if the cabinets are installed first. Therefore, one must install the flooring first and then move on to installing the cabinets. Making the aisles too tight Kitchen aisles see much more movement and commotion than other areas in the zone. Therefore, one must visualize the aisles to be as wide and spacious as possible. If that does not happen, then the kitchen aisles will just not be wide enough to accommodate all the movement that goes on in a kitchen. Ideally, an aisle must be wide enough for multiple cooks to go to and fro simultaneously, navigate space without running into each other, and maneuver smoothly through the zone around one another. Generally, making the aisles between 42 and 48 inches wide helps solve several movement issues in the kitchen. Overloading and oversizing islands Islands are the tables and storage cabinets that store a lot of essential kitchen equipment but are not connected to walls or other kitchen design elements. They often occupy the central space in a kitchen and form the zone around which people move, forming aisles. However, one must be mindful of how big these central islands could be. If they are too big, they will take up most of the space in the kitchen and make movement difficult. Therefore, one must keep island sizes to a minimum. Using poor lighting in the kitchen Kitchens are supposed to be well-lit and generally cold. Poor lighting and dampness often lead to bacterial growth and other hygiene-related issues in the kitchen. Also, unlike other areas in a house, a kitchen does not need accent lighting to highlight specific bits of the property. One must always use the brightest lights for the kitchen to keep it cheery and optimistic-looking. Not consulting a professional As much as people would hate to admit it, the common layperson may not have the kind of artistic or designer's touch to decorate spaces or visualize rooms in the most aesthetically pleasing way possible. Therefore, one should consider consulting a professional designer or enlisting the help of a contractor to kickstart any kitchen remodeling operations in their house. Doing so will result in a cleaner and better-looking kitchen after remodeling.

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