Welcome to your new home. Moving is work. Boxes fill your rooms. You find repairs. Fix them now. Do not wait. This guide helps you start. Use these steps to move in.
1. Inspect the whole house
Walk through every room. Carry a notepad, then write down issues. Open every door. Close every window. Check the floors, then look at the ceilings. Find the scuffs. Locate the cracks. Do this in Yaletown condos. Do this in West End apartments. Do this in Kerrisdale houses. Start in the basement, then move to the attic. Test the garage door. Inspect the porch. Note the damage.
2. Change your locks
You have the keys. Others might have keys too. Previous owners had keys. Realtors had keys. Cleaners had keys. Buy new locks, then install them. Replace deadbolts. Update handles. Reprogram the keypad. Ensure the latch clicks. Check the strike plate. Secure the front door, then secure the back door. Do not forget the side entrance. Do not forget the balcony. Hire a person for this.
3. Test safety devices
Locate the smoke detectors. Press the test button. Listen for the beep. Replace the batteries. Buy lithium batteries, then install them. Check the date on the unit. Replace old units. Locate the carbon monoxide detectors. Test them too. Place them near bedrooms. Place them near the furnace. Buy fire extinguishers. Put one in the kitchen. Put one in the garage. Check the pressure gauge.
4. Fix the walls
Previous owners left holes. They took pictures, then left anchors. Pull the anchors. Fill the holes with putty. Let the putty dry, then sand the surface. Wipe the dust. Apply primer. Paint the spots. Match the color. Check the corners. Fix the baseboards. Repair the crown molding. Do this in East Vancouver. Do this in South Vancouver. Look for drywall cracks. Patch the cracks. Sand the patches. Paint the walls.
5. Address plumbing leaks
Look under the sinks. Dry the area, then wait. Watch for drips. Check the faucets. Tighten the handles. Replace the washers. Inspect the toilets. Look for water on the floor. Flush the toilet, then watch the base. Check the tank. Stop the running water. Inspect the showerhead. Clean the scale. Fix the leaks in Kitsilano. Fix the leaks in UBC. Check the laundry room. Inspect the hoses. Replace old rubber hoses. Use braided steel.
6. Update your lighting
Turn on every switch. Find the burnt bulbs. Remove the old bulbs, then buy LED versions. Check the wattage. Match the color temperature. Clean the fixtures. Wipe the glass. Replace the broken switches. Install dimmers. Update the chandeliers. Change the porch light. Check the motion sensors. Replace the batteries in remotes. Do this in Richmond. Do this in Burnaby. Do this in North Vancouver.
7. Tighten all hardware
Cabinet doors sag. Knobs wobble. Hinges squeak. Grab a screwdriver. Open the kitchen cabinets. Tighten the screws. Check the bathroom vanity. Fix the towel bar. Tighten the toilet paper holder. Lubricate the hinges. Use silicone spray. Check the door stops. Install new stops. Prevent wall damage. Check the window latches. Ensure they lock. Fix the sliding door track. Clean the dirt, then add lubricant.
8. Review Strata rules
Live in a condo? Live in Yaletown? Live in the West End? Read the bylaws. Check the work hours. Note the elevator rules. Book the elevator, then move your tools. Inform the manager. Get approval for changes. Some buildings require insurance. Some buildings require licenses. Follow the rules. Avoid the fines. Keep your neighbors happy. Use a professional who knows Strata.
9. Set your repair budget
Repairs cost money. Materials cost money. Labor costs money. List your priorities. Fix safety issues first. Fix leaks second. Fix cosmetic issues last. Calculate the total. Contact Randall The Handyman. Pricing is clear. Pay $120 for the first hour. Pay $85 for each additional hour. Budget for parts. Save money for emergencies. Stick to the plan.
10. Hire a professional
Do not do everything yourself. Moving is tiring. You have boxes to unpack. You have a job to do. Hire help. Choose a reliable service. Choose a one-stop shop. We handle the list. We bring the tools. We fix the holes. We stop the leaks. We install the lights. We work in Westside. We work in Main St. We work in South Main St. We work in West Vancouver.
Why Choose Randall The Handyman?
We are reliable. We provide quality work. We help homeowners. We help professionals. We help older adults. We fix things you put off. We cover many areas. We serve Kerrisdale. We serve UBC. We serve East Vancouver. We serve Richmond. We serve Burnaby.
Our Services
- Lock installation
- Furniture assembly
- TV mounting
- Drywall repair
- Painting
- Faucet repair
- Toilet repair
- Light fixture installation
- Shelf mounting
- Blind installation
Contact Us
Call us. Schedule a visit. Send your list. We arrive on time. We do the work. You enjoy your home.
Start your move. Fix your home. Call Randall.
