After the long wait to get your first home in Bristol, you want to make sure that everything is in order. While your first home may not necessarily be your last, that doesn’t mean you should work on making it your ideal home. Most of the work you put it can translate to higher property value.
Bristol is one of the larger cities in the South West, being the 8th most populous urban area in the UK. With the University of Bristol, the vibrant art scene, and balance between urban and rural life–the city is a great place to find a property and settle down. Most of the properties sold are around the £200,000-£250,000 and the £300,000-£400,000 range. As long as you keep your home well-maintained or look into improving, you can sell your property at a relatively higher price.
Before you get into the nitty-gritty details of work around the house, sort out your paperwork. Keep house-related documents in one place and keep your mortgage payments in mind. If you are new to the area, you can refer to Bristol’s page to learn more about council tax. After everything is in order, here are the things you can do next:
5 Easy Things To Do After Buying A House In Bristol
Central Heating System
No home in the UK will be complete without a proper heating system. The cold seasons make it impossible to ignore. Here are 3 things you should pay attention to:
Boilers
A good boiler can efficiently heat your home without you having to pay for an extremely high energy bill. If your home comes with an old gas boiler, you may want to replace it with a more sustainable option. Have it inspected before you move into your home and commit to an annual boiler maintenance service to avoid unexpected damages and breakdowns.
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Radiators
The second important part of your central heating system is your radiators. They are in charge of distributing the hot air throughout the house. Make sure that there is no rust in your heater to prolong their life expectancy, there are so many radiator styles and shapes, you can buy radiators relatively easily now.
Thermostats
The last thing to look into is your thermostat. If you have an outdated model, you may end up doing more manual work than you have to. You can look into smart thermostats to better manage your heating schedule and save up on your energy bills.
Plumbing System
Next to your central heating system, the next area that requires more attention is your plumbing system. Since every home and area is unique, you may have to tinker around to ensure that it is in the best setting. Hard water vs soft water, low vs high water pressure, old homes vs new homes–there are too many factors.
Water Filtration
Residents from Bristol often face hard water complications due to the high concentration of limescale. While it does not affect you health-wise, it can clog up your pipes, faucets, and showerheads, exponentially lowering its life expectancy. You can get a filtration system or add a dose of an anti-limescale solution near your main water line.
Toilet
If you bought an old home, test the toilets to see if there are any issues. If the water runs more than you’d like, you can replace the toilet flapper. You can easily find them in the hardware store. Toilet flappers range from £5-£20. It is an easy fix that can save you hundreds of pounds in water bills.
Water Pressure and Pipes
Water pressure depends on your neighbourhood. So while you have high water pressure in Bristol, your friend who lives on the other side of the city might not have the same problem. You can adjust it yourself, by first closing the main water lines and adjusting the pressure valve.
When this doesn’t work, there may be a serious underlying problem with your pipes or plumbing system. This is when hiring a professional plumber in Bristol becomes a must. Do not attempt DIY plumbing projects as you can cause more harm than good. Unchecked, you will be facing water leaks, heating problems, and blocked pipes left and right. It is best to sort all of these out before you settle in your new home.
With all of these changes, it is merely a matter of maintaining your plumbing system.
Door Hardware and Window Treatments
While door hardware and window treatments are not high up on the to-do list, they are an essential part of your home. They help you maintain a sense of privacy in a city that is densely populated. If you are looking to get renters to help with the mortgage, this is an absolute must.
Door Handles, Hinges, and Locks
Most door hinges are installed with short screws which easily give way when the door is constantly pushed. Replace these screws with a #9×3 inch or a #9×2 ¼ inch screws to ensure that your door is securely in place. You can also look into replacing weak door handles or old door locks for added security.
Window Frames and Blinds
If you feel a slight draft in your home, there might be gaps in your window frames. It might not be so bad in spring or summer, but when winter comes, it can negate the heating from your boiler. Repair those gaps by either replacing your window frame or applying a kind of putty to seal the gap.
Even with great city views or a beautiful lawn, it is always best to have a privacy option. You don’t want any of your neighbours looking inside your homes, especially when you live in a city with a lot of foot traffic. There are different kinds of designs, so they can also lend to the interior and exterior aesthetics of the place. You can find discount blinds here.
TV And Internet Connection
Creating a home entertainment system is a lot more affordable these days. If you want to catch shows from BBC One, ITV, or Channel 4, you can do so with an indoor or outdoor aerials. To get the best reception, you can hire the professionals to take care of it for you.
You don’t have to stop at setting up your TV. Connecting to the online world has transformed from a luxury to a commodity. It’s best to have your internet connection and wifi router set up before you move in. There are established companies that can help you maximise your internet plans. With your TV and Internet connection in place, you can easily host movie nights with family and friends or easily order food from your favourite fast-food restaurants like Burger King or McDonald’s.
Safety And Security
Besides the changes you did to your door locks and hinges, there are other measures you can take to secure your home in Bristol. If you happen to stay near the suburbs and have a garden, you can add lights in key areas to increase visibility at night. You can connect them to your security system to ensure that you don’t have any unwanted visitors.
You can also install CCTV surveillance near entrances just in case. Another safety measure is keeping a fire extinguisher and emergency first-aid kit on hand.
With all of these things in place, your home is ready for you. When you get these minor improvements and repairs out of the way, you can focus on making new memories. Bristol has so many events around the year from concerts, street markets and performances – you are sure to have a ton of fun living in the area.
Keep in touch with US Essay Writers until you decide all the questions related to your house.
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It is always a good idea to get the electrics checked if you are moving into a new property. it is advised to have an (EICR) Electrical inspection condition report done. This will check any defects in the electrical wiring of the property.