Completion Day - What are the first things I need to do?

redev2005

Hi

Thanks for all the great advice I get on this forum.

I am completing my first home purchase on Friday, and I was hoping to get some guidance of the first things I should be doing once I get the keys.

I am not planning to move in until the following day as I am staying with family at the moment.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated as usual.

Thanks

I_have_spoken

Change the lock barrels.

Push notes through neighbour's letterboxes setting out what you expect them to do about their tall trees/rickety fence/inconsiderate parking/barking dog/smokey BBQ etc.:D

Yorkie1

You're unlikely to get the keys until lunchtime, so in the morning ensure your phone is fully charged / you don't go far from the landline (whichever route the solicitor uses to contact you) so that they can tell you when you've completed!

I moved in a few days after completion, so know what you're doing. I went round a couple of hours after completion (to make sure the sellers would have gone), and one of the first things to do is do meter readings - gas, elec, water. Make a note on paper and also take photos if you have a camera to hand. You can tell the companies the next week, but get the readings to hand immediately.

One thing which I wasn't ready for when I first walked into the house, was how dingy it appeared. Pictures and furniture brighten a place up and you don't see the dirt marks around where the picture frames have been. Your house may not be like this, but be prepared.

I then spent time doing cleaning, so take cleaning stuff with you - duster, hoover, brush, sponge, toilet brush / bleach for bathroom etc. If you like music or radio on in the background, take something with you for that. Take kettle and teabags / cups / milk / biscuits. Or just the champagne and wine glasses!!

If you have the option of staying a little longer at your parents, consider whether there's any redecoration you'd like to do before you start to move large furniture into the house.

I also ordered white goods after exchange on my existing credit card (do not take out extra credit until you've completed), for delivery after completion (I completed on a Friday but didn't move in until the Tuesday, when the white goods were delivered).

Set up a post re-direction now.

Good luck!

WellKnownSid

Scotland only: check the house over along with heating / water / electrical / drainage system as agreed in the missives. You normally have five to seven days to report any defects and/or allow tradesmen to inspect.

Anywhere: Anti-inflammatory cream to rub on your back after having carried the missus over the threshold...

catflapuk

Hello,

I am also completing on Friday. I still cannot believe it and think things might still go wrong. I have had my eye on some furniture for some time now but still did not order anything.. because I think I may not complete in the end. Totally irrational,I know. So, people really seem to start preparations just after exchange?

I think I am going to place an order for furniture this weekend.

propertyman

Move house ?

pack the main bedroom and kettle etc last.

At the end of the day having made up the main bedroom first, you dont need to have to faff to get the bed ready etc when you fall over exhausted.

scottishblondie

Take metre readings. Check the expected fixtures and fittings are there. Be prepared to clean a lot!!

Velvet_Glove

Meter readings
Have loo roll/cleaning stuff ready to put in new place
Have a notebook and pen with you so you can make notes on what you need to buy for the next day

chickaroonee

I would pay for a one off clean while it is empty, we did this for £60 and it was well worth the money.

googler

WellKnownSid wrote: »

Scotland only: check the house over along with heating / water / electrical / drainage system as agreed in the missives. You normally have five to seven days to report any defects and/or allow tradesmen to inspect.

...and check that all inclusions and exclusions as agreed in the missives are present or not.

Yorkie1

catflapuk wrote: »

Hello,

I am also completing on Friday. I still cannot believe it and think things might still go wrong. I have had my eye on some furniture for some time now but still did not order anything.. because I think I may not complete in the end. Totally irrational,I know. So, people really seem to start preparations just after exchange?

I think I am going to place an order for furniture this weekend.

If the order involves a credit agreement, you had best wait until you have completed. You cannot predict whether a lender will make a final credit check and get worried about new lines of credit which have recently appeared.