A Handyman’s Essential Guide to Settling In Smoothly
Moving into a new home in New Zealand is an exciting adventure – a fresh start, new memories to be made! But amidst the boxes and excitement, it can also feel overwhelming. Where do you even begin? What should you check first? And what about those tasks that just seem to pile up?
At Jack of All Trades Limited, we understand that settling into a new place involves more than just unpacking. It’s about making your house feel like a home, safely and efficiently. To help you navigate this period with ease, here’s our essential guide to what to check, what you can tackle yourself, and when a professional handyman can be your best friend.
Step 1: Immediate Checks – Safety & Essentials (Day 1)
Before you even think about furniture placement, focus on the critical basics.
- Locate Essential Shut-Offs: Know where your main water valve, electrical fuse box/circuit breakers, and gas shut-off are. In an emergency, this knowledge is invaluable.
- Smoke Detectors & Carbon Monoxide Alarms: Test them immediately. If they’re missing or not working, install new ones. Every home in NZ needs working smoke alarms.
- Secure Doors & Windows: Check all locks and latches. If anything feels flimsy or doesn’t secure properly, prioritize fixing it.
- Test Major Appliances: Run the dishwasher, washing machine, oven, and check the fridge/freezer. Look for leaks, strange noises, or poor performance.
- Check Toilets & Taps: Flush all toilets and run all taps to check for leaks under sinks or in visible pipes.
DIY Tip: You can easily test smoke alarms by pressing the test button. For simple lock issues, often tightening visible screws can help.
Step 2: The “Quick Wins” & Easy DIY Fixes (Week 1)
Once the essentials are covered, tackle these common minor issues that make a big difference in comfort.
- Change Toilet Seats: A quick, inexpensive way to make a bathroom feel cleaner and more personal.
- Basic Cleaning: Before all the furniture is in place, give the kitchen, bathrooms, and floors a thorough clean.
- Tighten Loose Screws: Go around and tighten any wobbly door handles, cabinet hinges, or loose switch plates.
- Small Wall Patches: Fill any tiny nail holes or minor scuffs on the walls with spackle, sand, and touch up with paint (if you have the right colour).
- Set Up Basic Utilities: Ensure internet, power, and water are all connected and working.
DIY Tip: Most hardware stores sell basic spackle and putty knives. Watch a quick tutorial on YouTube for small patch jobs!
Step 3: Settling In & Personalising Your Space (Weeks 2-4)
Now for the fun part – making it truly yours! This often involves assembly and hanging.
- Furniture Assembly: Flat-pack furniture is common, but it can be time-consuming and tricky to assemble correctly.
- Wall Hangings: Getting those pictures, mirrors, and shelves perfectly straight and securely mounted can be more challenging than it looks, especially on different wall types (plasterboard, brick, concrete).
- TV Mounting: Mounting a television securely to the wall can be complex due to wiring, stud finding, and ensuring it’s level and safe.
- Small Appliances & Fixtures: Setting up new lamps, small kitchen appliances, or even replacing an old light fixture.
DIY Tip: Always use a stud finder when hanging anything heavy. For lighter items, good quality plasterboard anchors are your friend. A level is essential!
Step 4: When to Call Jack of All Trades – Your Professional Partner
While the satisfaction of DIY is great, there are many situations where calling a professional handyman saves you time, prevents damage, and ensures safety. For a seamless move-in and a perfectly functioning home, consider us for:
- Complex Furniture Assembly: Don’t spend hours (or days!) struggling with intricate flat-packs. We’ll assemble anything from wardrobes to beds quickly and correctly.
- Secure & Level Wall Mounting: From heavy mirrors and large TVs to shelving units and art galleries, we ensure everything is mounted securely, level, and without damaging your walls.
- Appliance Installation & Connection: For dishwashers, washing machines, range hoods, or complex light fixtures, professional installation ensures they function safely and efficiently.
- Plumbing & Electrical Concerns: If those initial checks reveal persistent leaks, electrical faults, or if you need new outlets or tap replacements, certified professionals are crucial for safety and compliance.
- Door & Window Adjustments: If doors stick, squeak persistently, or windows are hard to open/close, we can adjust hinges, replace faulty hardware, or re-align frames.
- Security Upgrades: Need new locks installed throughout the house, or additional security features? We can handle it.
- Larger Repairs Identified: During your settling-in period, you might discover issues like minor roof damage, fence repairs, or significant wall damage. We’re equipped to tackle a wide range of general repairs.
- Pre-Purchase Inspections: While not a full building report, we can offer a pre-move-in check for immediate handyman-level repairs.
Settle In with Confidence!
Moving is a marathon, not a sprint. By prioritizing safety checks and understanding which tasks are best left to the experts, you can turn your new house into a comfortable, safe home much faster.
At Jack of All Trades Limited, we’re here to take the stress out of settling in. Our experienced team can handle all those tricky assembly jobs, secure your wall hangings, and tackle any unexpected repairs that pop up. We help you skip the frustration and jump straight to enjoying your new space.
Ready to get settled? Visit jackofalltradesltd.co.nz to learn more about our services or contact us today for a free quote on making your new house feel like home!
