A USEFUL GUIDE FOR LIVING THE FIRST YEAR IN YOUR NEW HOME

We meet a lot of home buyers buying brand-new homes built by home builders. We think this guide may be helpful for the first year in your new home!

Your contractor is under warranty for 12 months after closing

Everything in your home including craftsmanship, appliances, systems (Structural, Plumbing, Mechanical or HVAC, and Electrical), materials and finishes are covered under the warranty. That’s right! You can call/email the company to come out and repair, fix, install, or make right anything you find during the first year. We recommend starting a list and waiting until there are 5-6 issues on the list prior to calling or emailing. They are responsible for many new homes the same as your new home so being patient and understanding will go a long way!

Seal 

the grout in your Kitchen and Bathrooms – anywhere there is tilework. Often times contractors do not perform this critical step in preserving the grout to remain like new.

Label

your HVAC air duct with an arrow for which direction the air is traveling. This can be as simple as a sharpie marker. It will help you remember which way to install the air filter.

Take pictures

of each wall of each room prior to moving furniture into the space. 

Documenting the walls of each room prior to furniture can help you:

• • Visualize the space
  • Locate data and electrical outlets
  • Determine ideal mounting heights

 If you have the opportunity to visit during construction, you can take pictures of each wall at the framing stage. Doing so documents where the studs are for hanging art, wall mounted flat panel TVs, and wall-mounted speakers.

Replace

• • The air filter 3 times within the first year. After construction, there is more dust accumulation and frequent air filter exchanges help renew the fresh air in your home more rapidly. Check out some of our favorites here and here.
  • The batteries are in all of the smoke detectors throughout your home soon after you move in. You don’t want to rely on the contractor’s batteries which may expire in the wee hours of the night.

Check

caulking around doors and windows. Often times caulking is incomplete or patchy which can cause multiple issues including air infiltration, water damage, and pest infestations. Hopefully your home inspector will catch this too!

Register

your new appliances. An easy step to get the most benefit from the manufacturers.

Brush off 

and dust all of the supply and return air registers. This can be done with a broom or vacuum cleaner to clean leftover sawdust from construction.

Purchase and install

• • New lightbulbs – you can buy them in bulk to save money and to keep the same type of light throughout your home.
  • New ceiling fans in rooms without. Typically, the contractor will designate an additional switch for the future fan. If you’re not the electric type be sure to call an electrician.

Get a Professional Home Inspection

during the 11th month. It is a good idea to have a 3^rd party, trained home inspector inspect your new investment. You may be surprised by what a professional home inspector can find!

From our crew to yours, we wish you the very best in your new home!!