The Big Build & Moving In

The day has arrived and you are ready to move into your new home. Some say

moving is the most stressful thing a person can do but if you’re prepared it

need not be so complicated.

MovingIf you decide to be your own removalist take into account the time and effort it will take to pack, move and unpack your belongings. It’s hard work, even for the professionals! If you decide to do it yourself consider hiring a trailer or truck they come in a variety of sizes and can be driven on a normal license.

Removalists can do as much or as little as you like – from simply moving your heavy stuff to unpacking and making the beds. Whichever you decide remember to shop around for quotes; if one looks too good to be true, double check on what they’ll be doing and make sure they can provide all the services they quote for.

Connecting Utilities Remember to set up accounts for electricity (Synergy), water (Water Corporation) and gas (Alinta). Telephone a week before you move in. Accounts are easy to set up and can sometimes be done online. » Synergy – 13 13 53 » Water Corporation – 13 13 85 » Alinta – 13 13 58

Return to SenderTo ensure none of your mail gets lost remember to fill in a mail redirection form. These can be obtained from Australia Post outlets or you can apply online at www.auspost.com.au/temporary-redirection-application

Letting People Know You’ve Moved Here’s a handy checklist of people who need to know when (and where!) you’ve moved to:

» Banks » Credit card providers » Internet service providers » Phone providers » Landlord – if you currently

rent » Medical providers » Subscription services –

magazines, newspaper etc. » Electoral rolls – both State

and Federal » Drivers licence and vehicle

registration » Schools, colleges, universities » Employers » Health Fund » Superannuation Fund » Tax Office » Sporting and social clubs » Solicitor

This guide has been put together by LWP Property Group to give general advice about the process of buying land and building a house on it. All advice is only general in nature and it is advised to always seek additional professional advice.

Moving & Insurance

What about insurance? Making sure your new house and your belongings are insured is extremely important and a requirement of your lending institution.

Home Building Insurance Your builder insures your house during the period of construction and up until the date of handover.

Contents Insurance Many people choose to combine their home building and contents insurance as it often works out cheaper. There are two types of contents insurance – indemnity, where you are paid the depreciated value of your home and contents (this is based on age and condition), and replacement, which pays out the full cost of rebuilding or replacing items to an equivalent standard. There are exclusions and it’s important you read the fine print to figure out which one is right for you (as boring as it may be!).

Don’t risk under insuring! It is important that you and your belongings are protected, so committing to insurance that adequately covers you and your stuff is important.

Consumer protection insuranceThis will allow for your mortgage repayments to continue in the event of an accident or illness that puts your job and earning power on hold.

Income protection insurance If sickness or injury makes it impossible to work this will provide you with a monthly income.

The Big Build & Moving In

The time has come to put the finishing touches on your new house.

Choosing paint colours, waterwise plants, kitchen storage and fixtures turn

your house into a stylish, functional home.

Interior Design Tips Your builder will arrange the “prestart” with you. This is where you get to choose the colours, finishes and all the little extras for your home. Choosing tiles, flooring, splashbacks and door trims as well as switching single socket powerpoints for dual sockets, happens during the prestart.

Kitchen The kitchen is the heart of the home and needs to be functional as well as look good. Your kitchen is not just for preparing food friends and family will congregate here so choosing a counter top that is both functional but also stylish is important. Make sure the kitchen is well lit and has enough cupboards and storage space for all of your things.

Bathroom Like your kitchen, the bathroom needs to be well thought out room with lots of storage space and be well lit. Choosing fixtures that are easy to clean will make all the difference as will choosing paint with anti-mould protection — to survive the hot, steamy conditions.

Living Room or Family Room Design The living room or family room is the space which you can really have fun designing. But it is often wise to start with a neutral palate and then add your splashes of colour. You can do this through accessories, rugs and cushions – meaning you can change them regularly to suit your mood!

TOP TIPS » Work with a neutral palette

and add colour with accessories such as floor rugs, lamps, vases and so on. This makes it a lot less expensive to change your décor to suit your mood or the season!

» If you are unsure of paint colours for your new home, many painting companies or distributors will offer a free or very affordable colour consultant service. Painting your new home is a big investment, so it is worth getting right up front!

» Investing in nicer finishes in key areas such as the kitchen and bathroom is worth considering as you are unlikely to update these areas regularly, making quality finishes a good long term investment.

This guide has been put together by LWP Property Group to give general advice about the process of buying land and building a house on it. All advice is only general in nature and it is advised to always seek additional professional advice.

Finishing Off: Interior Design Tips, Landscaping & Fencing

Bedroom Design Bedrooms should truly reflect your style and personality – after all they are your private sanctuary! However, usually bedrooms should feel restful. Clutter should be avoided generally, but it is especially important to avoid clutter in a bedroom as this can act as a stimulant!

Landscaping and Fencing If you have built on an LWP Property Group homesite, when your house is 6 weeks from completion your front yard landscaping and side and rear fencing will need to be organised. We’re here to help. Simply contact our landscaping team who will answer any queries you may have as well as providing you with contact details for the fencing and landscaping contractors, who will then organise a consultation as well as the installation of your new front yard and fencing.

Contact us at » mygarden@lwpproperty.com.au or » (08) 9297 9900

A good landscaping team will assist in choosing waterwise plants and lawns that thrive in the Australian climate.

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