Got the keys. Feeling overwhelmed!

[MeMeMeow85]

We got the keys to our forever house a few days ago. It’s really overwhelming to see the work that needs to be done. Things I didn’t spot during viewings, but obvious now that the house is empty.

The vendors did a lot of “staging”. Patch up paint job on fascias outside (look nice and shiny white, actually rotten behind!!) and the big drain pipe fell down yesterday when I moved some rocks at the bottom near the drain (the drainpipe clips are all broken and it’s s bodge job). And the roof needs much more done than the survey outlined.

And then there’s the inside stuff that needs sorting. I want to hide 🙈

Any advice/tips please for moving forward calmly?

I understand that you're overwhelmed by it all now but you will get there.

Write a list of everything that needs doing per room/ area of the house in order of priority. Look at your budget and work out what can be done when.
Lists are your friend, once you can slowly start ticking things off you will feel better!

Think @Jen has totally nailed it. Have a proper look round. Room to room and write a list. Focus on the big/essential things or things you just can't live with first. It's your forever home. You can afford the time to get it just right. Congrats!

This was me ten years ago. I did exactly when Jenb suggested. Obviously your main priority is structural jobs and /or external jobs before cosmetic jobs but writing a list with priorities will help.

To me the hardest thing was finding traders I trust. Are you local or is it a new area? I think the best thing you can do is make friends and get to know neighbours to find out who they recommend for jobs.

Oh god the realisation of all the things you didn’t see / were hidden. Yup. Been there done that.

You’ll get there! Concentrate on things that really matter (roof). Good idea to do a full list and rank in terms of priority.

You’ll get there. Good luck!

Do any work that will keep the house watertight - roof etc including any broken drainpipes & gutters. Also address any issues of interior damp. Get the heating/hot water system checked. You can live with awful/shabby decor for now. It will get done eventually, Rome not built in a day etc Forever is a long, long time.