Moving into an old villa could be an exciting thing to do, given the space and additional features you’ll likely have access to. You may be wondering about the steps that you’ll need to take in order to enjoy your move and enjoy your stay in the new space. Outlined below are some of the steps that you should take in order to have the best time and avoid issues such as damage and mold, among others.
Clear Out the Junk
The first thing that you need to do before settling into an old villa is to clear out the junk. Doing this will give you an easier time when you get to work decorating the space or deep cleaning it. A villa is likely to have a large amount of junk that could take you a long time to effectively get rid of by yourself. For this reason, it’s a good idea for you to hire a junk removal company to help you out.
Checking online should bring up a good number of local junk removal companies that you can negotiate with to find one with the best price. You should also make sure that they’re reputable so that you’re comfortable letting them into your space. When you get your villa free of all the junk it has, you can be sure that it will feel amazing and you’ll be able to enjoy it a lot more. Try to avoid filling it up with fresh junk over time by maintaining a cleaning and decluttering schedule so that you don’t end up back where you started.
Eliminate Mold
Mold can be a headache for you, especially if you get comfortable in your new space only to realize that there’s an issue with mold. For this reason, it’s a good idea for you to perform a thorough inspection to see if there’s any mold in your old villa. If you find signs of mold, get a plan underway to get rid of it as soon as possible. This is going to give you a great canvas on which to work in your space. Since mold can damage property and cause health issues, it’s important to start off on the right foot by getting rid of any that’s there.
A local mold removal service should help you professionally get rid of any mold in the villa. If there are spaces that are particularly prone to mold like a basement, under the sink in the kitchen, and around the bathroom, you need to get to the root of the problem. Dispose of any damaged material and replace it, calling a professional to help you do any extensive repairs. If you replace any materials in the house as a result of mold damage, you should make sure that what you get isn’t likely to get damaged by mold as well. This is a great way to prevent future issues for you.
Repair Any Damage
If your old villa has damage, which it likely will, you need to repair it before you get comfortable in the space. This is going to make the space feel as good as new and you can relax knowing that nothing’s likely to fail when you least expect it to. Wiring is one of the elements that you need to make sure is in the best state if you want to enjoy a stress-free time in the house. Call an electrician to have a look around, especially if there are switches that don’t work and similar things. Water damage repair is another matter that you need to get out of the way as soon as possible.
The importance of doing these repairs before you settle in is that you may get comfortable with them if you move in without fixing them. This is not to say that you’ll enjoy living in a house in which several small things don’t work as they should, which is always frustrating. You may simply keep putting off the repairs for a long time since you’ll feel like they’re not urgent for you. Avoid falling into this trap by repairing damage as soon as you can so that you move into a ready house.
Prepare the Garage and Driveway
The garage and driveway in an old villa may also need some work to be done on them. This is because they’re exposed to the extremities of weather and they also see a lot of traffic. You don’t want to move into a house whose driveway is full of potholes and that will make it hard for you to pull in and pull out in harsh weather or at night. That said, have an expert let you know whether you can get away with repairing the driveway or you’ll have to replace it completely. Remember that this is going to help you boost your home’s curb appeal and so it’s worth the money.
A properly-functioning garage will also help you enjoy living in your new space considerably. It will also make the home comfortable and you can rest easy knowing that there’s a low likelihood of someone in the house getting injured while operating it. Your home and property will also be safe since the garage is one of the potential entrances that burglars could use to try and get into your home. That said, have a professional take a look at your garage and ensure that all its accessories are functioning as they should. If necessary, get garage door spring repair done as well, since this is one of your garage’s most important parts.
Replace the Roof and Siding
It’s no surprise that the roof of your home is one of the most important elements. It helps keep you and your property safe from the extremes of weather. That said, you must make sure that the roof of your old villa is in a solid state. Have a professional come over and do a thorough inspection of it to find out whether everything’s okay. Since the villa is old, there’s a good chance that the roof has reached or is pretty close to the end of its lifespan. This makes it important to include a local roofing company in your list of priorities when looking for professionals to talk to before you move in. Don’t forget to also make sure that the siding is in good condition so that you can be fully sure about your home’s reliability in all kinds of weather.
Insulate the Home
Insulation is also very important to check in your old villas so that you can be sure you’ll be comfortable in all kinds of weather. A well-insulated home will be easy to keep cozy and safe no matter the conditions outdoors. Start by making sure that the doors and windows are all in a good state and that there are no gaps between the windows and frames. If there are it’s worth taking the time and spending the money to change them. This is because many small issues likely show that the windows have reached the end of their lifespan and need to be replaced. Otherwise, you’ll end up having to make a number of small repairs that will end up costing you a tidy sum.
The attic is another potential culprit of troublesome insulation in the home. Find a good local attic insulation business in your area and have them inspect your attic for any signs of trouble with insulation. You need to make sure that the insulation is in the best shape so that you can stop air leaks. You should also seal any gaps to keep out birds, rodents, and even frogs that may try to make your attic home and cause issues for you.
Make the Home Warm and Cozy
You want your old villa to feel as cozy and comfortable as it most probably looks from the street. This is going to help you and your family stay happy and healthy through different seasons. If your villa has a fireplace, make sure that every part of it is in good shape. This will make it safe to use and it will serve its intended purpose of keeping you warm when it’s cold outside. To this end, look for a good chimney repair company to have a look at your chimney and clean it. You’ll need to keep their contacts with you so that you can reach them easily for regular maintenance of your chimney.
To take things a step further, you could repaint the walls or apply new wallpaper, whichever option you prefer. This will help your old villa feel more comfortable and could also bring it up to current standards. A calm and neutral color or pattern is going to help you make the home feel amazing. It will also be more likely to not wear you and your family out in a short time, making it necessary to change it. If you like, you could include an accent wall that will have bold colors and patterns. If you want to change it, it will be easier to change a single wall than the entire house.
Fix Up the Yard
Your old villa’s yard could also use some refreshing if you want to make sure that the home is beautiful both inside and outside. This calls for a refreshing of the lawn so that you have fresh and beautiful grass for improved curb appeal. If there are trees that pose a risk to the safety of your property and that you have to get rid of, call a tree removal business. They’ll have the best solution for you and can make the process safe and easy for you. If you remove trees, it will be a good idea to replace them with others in a different area in your yard. If you have space for a garden, consider planting one and you’ll be glad that you did so.
Protect the Home and Property
Safety is important if you want to make sure that your villa will be protected from issues such as burglary. To this end, look into security systems that you can install in and around your property. Pair those with good homeowners insurance so that you can be fully secured. Check online and research thoroughly to find reasonable homeowners insurance quotes. Make sure that you’re comfortable paying the premiums and that all crucial elements are covered.
The best thing about getting good homeowners insurance is that it can protect you not only from theft and burglary, but also from the outcome of extreme weather events. The best insurance coverage with this in mind will depend on the specific area in which your new home is. That’s because there are different risks associated with different areas around the nation. You want to make sure that your cover is relevant to the issues that could come up so that you’re sure you’re likely to get your money’s worth.
Get Ready to Move In
Last but not least, consider the finer details of the home before you move in. These include checking whether all light bulbs are in place and are working and whether any knobs or locks need to be changed or repaired. These will be the final item for you to look into, and they’re typically going to be affordable and fast to get out of the way. Find a good moving company and talk with them to find out if they’re going to deliver exactly what you need. They should have great safety ratings so that you’re sure about getting your valuables moved securely to the villa you’re moving into. Negotiate beforehand so that there’s nothing left to do in the end but pay and start getting your new place in shape.
Make sure to do these things before you move into an old villa and it will be an easy and delightful process when you finally move. You won’t have to deal with any lingering repairs or additional issues. You can be sure that you’ll settle down fast and possibly even enjoy a lifestyle upgrade.