Old houses have a lot of character that modern buildings can never emulate—plastered walls, wide wood trim, a set of stairs that have seen years of use. But there are also things about them that come as a surprise, and the worst possible day to make these discoveries is moving day when you have movers at the door with your dresser. An inspection of the place about a week or two before the actual move should give you a chance to find these issues.
Going In and Out of the House
Doors, Hallways, and Staircases
There was no idea of king-size beds or sectional sofas when the houses of a few decades ago were being built. Doors are quite narrow, hallways don’t always lead where you need to go, and staircases are steeper and narrower than anything found nowadays. Take a tape measure with you and measure the width of every entrance your furniture needs to pass.
Don’t forget ceiling height on staircases, especially in basements and attics. A tall bookcase that fits through the door can still jam against a low beam halfway down.
Steps, Porches, and Railings
Outdoor steps endure harsh weather conditions, which makes them prone to looseness, cracking, or decay beneath. Test each step by applying pressure to it and shake railings firmly. Moving heavy equipment from one end of a wobbly porch plank is what leads people to accidents and forces them to pay for repairs right away, not even having enough time to unpack their belongings.
Should anything feel unstable, make sure to inform the movers so they can prepare another way to go or a ramp to use.
Parking and Loading Space Access
Old neighborhoods tend to have small streets, communal alleys, and little curb space. In the case of Chicago, the truck won’t be able to get into the alley, or it won’t even be allowed to park there depending on some permit restrictions. Check everything personally if possible, especially during the time of day you will be moving.
Windows, Locks, and Uncooperative Doors
Make sure that all exterior doors do indeed lock and that the windows move freely. Swelled wood, paint-stuck window sashes, and latches that have worn away over the years are frequent issues in older houses. Fixing a lock prior to having your possessions moved in is much easier than doing it afterwards, and an ill-working window will quickly become an issue when the first storm comes. Also make sure that you have keys for all doors – including basements and side entrances.
Protecting the Structure of Your House
Scratch-Vulnerable Floors
The original wooden floors are gorgeous but also delicate. Resurfacing such floors is costly, and therefore it would be prudent to protect them from damage before you start to transport furniture on them. Put some floor runners or thick cardboard along the way from the front door into each room, and ask your mover to use furniture sliders on large furniture.
In case the floors are already in bad condition, take some pictures. It will come in handy when disputes over what was there before you arrived arise.
Chipping Plaster Walls and Corners
Old plaster is more fragile than new drywall, and a loose box corner can make its presence known in the form of a scratch that will require a patch. Corner protectors for tight corners and a little padding around doorframes go a long way. There are some things in your home where the extra work doesn’t seem worthwhile until you realize how much damage an unguarded corner could take from frequent traffic in just thirty passes.
Structural Weight Limits
Certain floors, particularly second-story or converted ones, were not built to support the kind of weight present in a contemporary family home. Fully loaded bookshelves, filing cabinets, fish tanks, and pianos put a great deal of weight in a concentrated area. When placing heavy furniture on a floor you have never used before, make sure you know the location of the joists beneath the floor.
Checking the Systems Before You Settle In
Electrical & Outlets
Old wiring can result in few outlets, no grounding of sockets, and circuits that tend to trip when there are several electrical appliances on the same circuit. It is recommended that you test the outlets in the areas where you are going to use heavy-duty machinery, such as the kitchen or a study room. You want to be sure of this situation before the fridge is connected and the contents of the freezer are at risk.
In case you need professional work done, make sure to contact a professional electrician. Do not try fixing the problem on your own in an unknown house.
Plumbing & Water Pressure
Make sure that all faucets run properly and all toilets flush without issues. Inspect sinks for possible slow drips and the presence of brownish water in the initial moments of turning on the taps; this could indicate that there is something wrong with the plumbing. The washer and dishwasher require proper connections.
Heating, Cooling and Ventilation
It is best to test your heating equipment before the first night turns cold and not the first night. Old heating systems can be unpredictable, and it will make more sense to plan for repairs if you have several days in hand. If your house uses window units for air conditioning, find out where they should be placed and how well the windows are able to support them.
Pests and Moisture Damage
Pests and damage from moisture can hide in corners, under the sink, in basements, and in areas close to the baseboards. You will need to pay attention to musty smells, to soft spots in the wood, and to wet marks on the ceiling. By finding these out at the beginning, you will have the chance to deal with them without endangering your belongings.
Getting Ready for the Day Itself
Pathways and Preparations
Walk through the route from the front door to all rooms and clear anything that could cause problems. Area rugs should be rolled, small tables moved, and any pictures taken down from the walls that are on the major pathway. If there are doors that stick or do not open properly, this would be a good time to address those issues, rather than attempting to deal with the problem while carrying a couch.
Reasons to Choose Movers with Experience in Older Buildings
When moving into an older building, this job is much different than that of moving into a newer apartment complex, and it helps to have movers that have experience with both. Movers that are familiar with working in confined spaces, protecting delicate floors, and changing strategies based on the layout will help make the move easier. When looking for such movers, one place to try is https://move4umovers.com/. Let the movers know about the quirks of the building in advance so that they have the proper equipment ready.
One Last Pass Before Moving Day
A day or two before, do a final check. Confirm the parking plan, make sure utilities are on, and walk through with a notepad to jot down anything that looks different from last time. A little time spent here means fewer surprises when the truck pulls up.
Older homes reward the effort you put into understanding them. A bit of preparation now saves you from the kind of stress that makes a move feel harder than it needs to be.