3 things nobody tells you about moving into a new home

5 min read

23 February 2021

Just got the keys to your new home? Well, now comes the exciting part: preparing to move in! But before you get ahead of yourself, take a moment to consider these 3 important (but often overlooked) things that could make or break your #housegoals-worthy home.

After all, your home is not only one of your biggest investments but also a sanctuary for you and your loved ones, so you’ll be glad you’re hearing this sooner.

1. Don’t neglect basic safety ‘must-haves’

This may sound rather *ahem* basic, but you’ll be surprised at the number of households who overlook the importance of safety items like the following.

While we hope you’ll never have to use them, they can be absolute lifesavers when the need arises.

Fire extinguisher – Having a portable fire extinguisher in your home can help you cope with small incipient fires or minimise the potential damage a fire can cause. What’s just as important is to ensure that your fire extinguisher is well-maintained and that you know how to use it.

First-aid kit – Cuts, grazes and minor burns sometimes take us by surprise. In situations like these, a well-stocked first-aid kit is just what you need to respond quickly in treating these injuries. You can easily purchase a prepacked kit off the shelf or put together your own with this checklist.

Toolbox – Prevent unexpected home maintenance nightmares from getting in the way by having a set of basic tools for home fixes and repair works. This will come in handy especially in emergency situations when you need a quick fix or can’t afford to wait for a professional.

Torchlight – With smartphone in-built flashlights, this next item may seem redundant. But having a handheld torchlight could come in useful when you least expect it, especially in the event of a blackout or when your phone’s battery is running low (we’ve all been there).

Home insurance – While we seek to keep our home as safe as possible, what happens when something unexpected and unfortunate happens? In times like these, a comprehensive home cover like that of FWD Home insurance – all from as low as S$31.¹

2. Costs add up faster than you think

From renovation work to monthly bills, the costs associated with owning a home can stack up rather quickly.

That’s why being aware of this early can go a long way in helping you manage (and even save on) recurring or accumulated costs of your home.

Word of advice? Know the costs, don’t overpay and save when you can. Here’s how.

Renovation

It’s easy to get carried away with the endless possibilities of creating your dream home, but it is also prudent to set and stick to a realistic budget.

Depending on the renovation works involved and the professional services you engage, the renovation of a 4-room HDB flat can cost roughly S$56,000. To avoid overspending, do your due diligence to research and compare prices.

Where possible, you may wish to consider more affordable alternatives such as swapping a hardwood flooring for a similar-looking vinyl one, re-evaluating the need for an expensive designer couch, or considering paint over a costly wallpaper.

Finding a reliable and trustworthy contractor can also minimise shoddy work that may create more problems down the road.

That said, it would also be wise to set aside room in your budget for emergencies in case of any unexpected hiccups that may result in a need for extra work or materials which could dig into funds you’ve set aside for other purposes.

Utilities

One of the easiest ways to save on your monthly costs is by reducing your utilities usage – the more efficient your consumption, the cheaper your bills.

This starts by knowing the energy guzzlers in your home, opting for energy-saving alternatives such as LED light bulbs and energy-efficient home appliances, and powering off your appliances when they’re not in use.

Simple changes like these can save you a few hundreds of dollars a year.²

For water consumption, adopting good water-saving habits such as using half-flush when possible, turning off the shower when soaping, and rinsing vegetables in a container can also reduce your water bills overtime.

3. Yes, maintenance is a necessity

With all the effort put into creating your beautiful home, the last thing you want is for things to ‘fall apart’. This is where upkeeping your home becomes even more necessary.

Regular maintenance and servicing of your home not only helps you save on your utility bills but also keeps your home (and the people living in it) safe while extending the lifespan of your renovations.

For example, leaky pipes and appliances can result in water wastage and potential damage to surfaces. While other issues, like mould, may seem insignificant at first but can quickly get out of control and lead to thousands of dollars in damages and health issues.

Needless to say, regular maintenance of your electrical systems can also keep your home safe from electrical hazards, reducing the risk of unexpected fires.

A good place to start would be creating a maintenance schedule so that you can stay on track with your home maintenance needs such as air-conditioner servicing, window maintenance, electrical re-wiring and more.

To this end, FWD Home insurance covers four assistance services (such as electrical, plumbing, locksmithing and air-conditioning) in a policy year, which could come in useful if you need emergency repairs.

Being prepared for your new home

Owning a home comes with a plethora of rewards, but it’s also easy for the ‘less exciting’ stuff to go unnoticed especially when they’re seldom talked about.

By planning ahead and bearing in mind the 3 important considerations above, you’ll be on your way to becoming a responsible homeowner who gets the most out of your brand-new space.

After all, if you’ve put in the time and effort to into your new home, don’t you want to make sure you’ve got all grounds covered?

Get a head start in protecting your home with Singapore’s #1 home insurer for customer experience³. With FWD Home insurance, we cover the loss and damage to your incidental expenses (such as home cleaning and fire extinguishing), as well as offer a workmanship defect guarantee, and more.