There’s nothing quite like stepping into your new home for the first time—whether you’ve bought your very first property in Manchester or moved into a family home in the suburbs of Surrey. But once the excitement settles, reality kicks in. Before you can truly relax, there are some critical services you’ll need to set up to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Here’s a realistic, UK-focused guide to the key home services that’ll help you feel properly settled and protected from the start.
1. Sort Out Your Utilities (Gas, Electricity & Water)
Before you start unpacking boxes, make sure your energy and water services are sorted. It’s not the most exciting task, but it’s one of the most important.
What to do:
- Take gas and electricity meter readings as soon as you move in.
- Find out who the current providers are—details are usually in the welcome pack or can be obtained by calling the meter numbers.
- Use tools like Uswitch to switch to a better tariff if needed.
💡 Tip: Set up a direct debit straight away to avoid missed payments.
2. Get Your Home Security in Place
New homes can be easy targets for burglars, especially during the first few weeks when it’s obvious you’re still moving in. A good home security setup isn’t just about peace of mind—it can also reduce your home insurance premium.
Security options worth considering:
- Smart doorbells (like Ring or Nest) so you can monitor who’s at your door, even when you’re away.
- CCTV systems with cloud storage.
- Window locks and motion-sensor lighting, especially for side entrances or alleyways.
🏡 Real example: A homeowner in Leeds reduced their premium by £120 a year after installing smart cameras and door sensors.
3. Home Insurance (Don’t Skip It!)
If you’ve taken out a mortgage, buildings insurance is usually a legal requirement. But many new owners forget about contents insurance, which protects everything inside your home—from electronics to jewellery.
Choose the right type:
- Buildings insurance: Covers the actual structure (roof, walls, foundations).
- Contents insurance: Protects personal belongings inside the home.
🧾 Helpful tip: Always compare policies on Compare the Market or MoneySuperMarket before committing.
4. Deep Cleaning and Rubbish Removal
Even if your property looks clean at first glance, it’s worth bringing in professionals for a proper deep clean. This is especially important if the previous owners had pets or if the house was vacant for a while.
Services worth booking:
- Carpet or floor cleaning
- Oven and kitchen sanitisation
- Garden clearance or bulky waste pickup
🧽 From experience: We hired a local cleaning crew when we moved into our London flat and were amazed at the amount of dust hidden behind radiators and under furniture. Best £180 we ever spent.
5. Have a Good Plumber and Heating Engineer on Speed Dial
Trust us—nothing ruins a cosy new home like a leaky pipe or a boiler that won’t fire up on a cold Monday morning.
What you need:
- Annual boiler service (often needed to maintain warranty)
- Pipe inspection, especially in older homes
- Emergency plumber contact just in case
🔧 Safety first: Only use Gas Safe-registered engineers. You can check credentials on Gas Safe Register.
6. Book an Electrical Safety Inspection
If your new home hasn’t had a recent electrical check, it’s worth getting one done. An outdated fuse box or dodgy wiring can be dangerous—and costly.
What to look for:
- Request an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report)
- Upgrade the consumer unit (fuse box) if necessary
- Install additional sockets or replace broken ones
💡 Bonus tip: Always hire NICEIC-certified electricians. This ensures work is compliant and safe.
7. Don’t Forget About the Garden and Outdoor Areas
First impressions matter—and your garden plays a big role in that. Even if you’re not green-fingered, maintaining your outdoor space adds value and makes your home feel complete.
Quick wins:
- Lawn mowing and hedge trimming
- Jet washing driveways or patios
- Fencing repairs or paint touch-ups
🌿 Neighbour tip: A family in Milton Keynes spent just £250 on garden improvements, which later helped them secure a better valuation when remortgaging.
8. Fire Safety and Legal Checks
Some things are easy to overlook—but smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors should be top of your list.
Safety must-haves:
- One smoke alarm per floor
- CO alarm in any room with a wood burner, open fire, or gas boiler
- Small fire extinguisher or fire blanket for the kitchen
🚨 By law: Since October 2022, smoke alarms are required in every rented or newly purchased home in England and Wales.
9. Reliable Broadband and Digital Services
With more of us working from home or streaming films in the evening, a slow internet connection can be a real headache.
Tips to get connected fast:
- Use Broadband Genie or ThinkBroadband to compare packages
- Check if you can get fibre or full fibre in your area
- Consider mesh Wi-Fi systems for large homes
📡 Local tip: Some rural homes can benefit from 4G routers if standard broadband speeds are slow.
10. Register with Your Local Council
Not the most thrilling task—but a crucial one. You’ll need to register for council tax, arrange for bin collection, and set up payments with your borough council.
How to do it:
- Head to gov.uk to find your local authority
- Update your address on the electoral roll
- Check your bin collection day and recycling rules
♻️ Small detail, big impact: Knowing your collection day helps you avoid overflowing bins in the first week!
My Take as a Homeowner
When I bought my first home in Bristol, I honestly thought all I needed was a good Wi-Fi connection and a kettle. Fast forward two weeks, and I was dealing with a blocked drain, no heating, and a missed bin collection. If I could go back, I’d prioritise setting up my boiler service, waste collection, and insurance from the get-go. You learn quickly that being prepared pays off.
FAQs
👉 Your utilities—gas, electricity, and water. Take readings on day one to avoid billing issues and register with the suppliers straight away.
👉 Absolutely. It protects your belongings from theft, fire, or damage. The peace of mind alone is worth the cost.
👉 Use platforms like Checkatrade, Rated People, or ask neighbours for referrals—they often know the best local help.
Final Thoughts
Owning a home is a huge responsibility—but also a brilliant opportunity. Getting your essential services sorted from the start doesn’t just keep your home safe—it helps you enjoy it fully. So take a breath, make a checklist, and tackle it step by step. You’ll be surprised how quickly it all comes together.