MOVING IN TO YOUR NEW HOME
Over the first few days and weeks of using your new property, it is important that you get a good feel for the place and check to make sure everything works as it should, such as
- Your bathroom including basins, taps, showers, baths.
- All the glass including your windows and doors.
- Any fireplaces and surrounds.
- Your kitchens including all your cabinets, fridges, sinks and appliances.
- All keys are correct and that they work on all the locks and
that all windows and doors open and lock properly.
- All services are properly connected and in working order.
Over the following few days, you will also begin to familiarise yourself with the operating systems of your home such as gas systems and appliances.
We hope that you won’t have any issues or concerns but we understand that sometimes things can go wrong. If you have any concerns, please speak to someone on site or email our team on info@smdevine.co.uk. Please include your name and new address or site number and we will aim to provide a resolve to your issue within 72 hours.
CARING FOR YOUR NEW HOME
Like most new things, you want to take great care of them. Your new home is no exception. Whilst we have taken upmost care when building your new home, it is important that you understand a new home needs time to ‘settle in’ just as you will.
From experience, we know that there are some common issues that arise due to the nature of a new build home. We have put together some helpful tips which our clients have found useful. Of course, many of these issues are likely not going to effect your new home, but just in case, have a read of the information that follows.
If you are thinking of making any alterations to your new home over the first few years, please seek advice from an appropriately qualified builder, engineer and architect. It is important to note that any alterations are likely not to be covered by and may affect your warranty so please make sure to speak with your warranty provider.
DRYING OUT
As your new home is ‘brand new – just out of the wrapper’, there is a certain amount of time that it will need to ‘dry out’. Drying out basically means giving the materials a chance to settle in to place, return to their natural state and dry out after being exposed to the elements during the build.
Small cracks in the walls and gaps in the joinery are very common in new builds. This happens due to the materials shrinking and ‘settling’ in to place. It is very unlikely that these cracks are structurally significant and can easily be put right by routine maintenance.
Cracks can happen by shrinkage and shrinking is accelerated with heat. To keep cracks and gaps to a minimum, it is very important that you let your new home ‘dry out’. It is most important to try your best to keep your new home at an even temperature – avoid the temptation to turn your home in to a sauna in the first few months.
Keeping your windows open for regular periods of time will allow proper ventilation and will let moisture escape more naturally. Generally speaking, it can take up to a year for a new home to fully dry out, so be patient.