Buying a New House?
Unless you’re purchasing a new-build, your new home is likely going to come with (at least) a couple of imperfections. But, if you don’t want to find yourself paying a range of unexpected repair bills upon moving in, you ought to carry out all the necessary checks.
We’ll outline some of the most important checks to make in this blog post so, as always, let us know if you find this useful or if you have any questions.
- Doors & windows
Checking the home’s doors and windows are up to scratch is important for two main reasons:
- Security
- Insulation
Not only do you want to ensure that your new home is safe and secure, but you also don’t want to burn unnecessary money heating bills.
Insurers can be very specific with the types of locks they cover so make sure the door and window locks are up to standard. If not, be prepared to budget the cost of new locks to ensure you’re adequately protected upon moving in.
Mortice locks are very popular among insurers, so if the house is equipped with this type of lock you should be fine.
Locks aside, you’ll also want to make sure that all windows and doors open and close properly and the frames are in good order, otherwise this is another cost you’ll need to be aware of.
- Boiler
Make it a priority to find out the boiler’s manufacturer and model name, age and servicing history.
Having an unreliable boiler is a serious safety concern first and foremost. Boilers should be checked annually to monitor CO2 emissions and that flues are clear so it runs efficiently.
It may be the case that the boiler need replaced, which isn’t exactly cheap, so be prepared for this before moving in.
- Radiators
Firstly, check that there’s enough radiators and they are the right to keep you sufficiently warm throughout the Winter months, an/d check they’re in good working order.
Firstly, check that there’s plenty of radiators (and they’re the right size and positioned well) to keep you warm throughout the Winter months.
Also, make sure the radiators are in good working order. If not, or you want any of them replaced or moved, this will involve disruptive and expensive work being done.
You may decide that you want underfloor heating installed instead of having radiators dotted around the house. If so, ask if it’s already been considered and whether there are any factors to be aware of which may make this an issue.
- Electrics
Make sure all the lights are working by turning them on and back off. If any don’t seem to work, find out why. Whilst it is possibly just a dead bulb, there may be underlying factors to be aware of.
Also, ensure there’s enough plug sockets for all your needs. If you do all of your ironing in the kitchen and don’t have a wireless iron, then make sure there are the necessary plug sockets in the kitchen. Similarly, if you fin yourself scrolling social media before bed then you may want to have a plug socket in your room.
- Plumbing
Make sure the tap water flows well and the toilet flushes with enough power to dispose of any contents.
Test the warm water to ensure it gets hot enough, and also check that the taps aren’t dripping (which is a bigger problem if you’re on a water meter).
When it comes to the shower, again, check that the spray of water is packs enough power, otherwise you’re in for an infuriating anti-climactic showers in the morning.
You’ll also want to check there’s no nasty smells/odours coming from the drains – another sign that the plumbing may need checked.
- Damp
You’ve almost certainly heard about the risk of damp, and perhaps you know some of the signs to look out for.
Reasons for damp in a property include poor ventilation, lack of damp-proofing, or the exterior of the building being in a poor state. Not noticing it before moving in can pose a significant health risk and will cost a fair bit or money to deal with.
Damp staining, discolouration, areas of condensation or peeling wallpaper and a musty smell are all major signs of damp.
- Neighbours
This point may just be one of the most important. Find out who your neighbours would be and say ”Hello” so make sure the relationship starts off as well as possible.
Make sure you can see yourself living with your neighbours before making the decision to move. If not, and you don’t factor this in when deciding to move there, it may come back to bite you.
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We hope this article comes in helpful!
Remember, if you’re located in or around Glasgow and want to avoid the typical stress of moving home, get in touch with us here, and we’ll be delighted to discuss the specifics of your move.
