The first few weeks in a new home are when small problems show up: a tap that will not fully close, a socket that does nothing, walls full of holes from the last occupant’s shelves. Voltify Contractors provides property maintenance in Stratford as part of its documented E15 coverage, including plumbing, electrical work, painting and decorating, appliance installation and handyman jobs. This page is set out as a move-in checklist, so you can see what to check yourself and what is worth handing to a tradesperson.
Four things to find in your first week
- The stopcock. This is the valve that shuts off water to the whole property. It is often under the kitchen sink or in a utility cupboard; in some flats it is in a cupboard near the front door. Check that it turns. A valve that is seized or stiff is worth having looked at now, not when water is coming through a ceiling, and freeing or replacing it is plumbing work.
- The consumer unit (fuse board). Know which switch is the main switch and whether the circuits are labelled. If nothing is labelled, or the labels no longer match the rooms, an electrician can trace and label them so you can isolate a circuit quickly later.
- Smoke and heat alarms. Press the test button on each one. London Fire Brigade advises fitting smoke alarms on the ceiling and a heat alarm, rather than a smoke alarm, in the kitchen, where cooking fumes can set off a smoke alarm.
- Appliance connections. If you are bringing a washing machine or dishwasher, check there is a water valve, a waste connection and a socket where it is going to stand.
Renting? Check what your landlord should already have done
Private landlords in England must have the electrical installation inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every five years, and give new tenants a copy of the report before they move in. GOV.UK’s electrical safety standards guidance explains the rules, which are also being extended to social housing. If you have not received the report, ask your landlord or letting agent for it.
Faults with the wiring, fixed fittings and water supply in a rented home are normally for the landlord to repair, so report them before booking anything yourself. Voltify Contractors works for landlords and letting agents as well as owners, so a repair can also be arranged through them.
Jobs that are easier before the furniture arrives
| Job | Why do it first | Where it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Moving or adding sockets and light fittings | Cutting into walls and making good is simpler in an empty room, and has to happen before decorating | Electrical services |
| Filling old fixing holes and small plaster repairs | Needs time to dry and be sanded before paint goes on | Handyman and property maintenance |
| Painting walls, ceilings and woodwork | No furniture to move or protect, and quicker to finish | Painting and decorating |
| TV mounting and shelving | Cable routes and fixing points can be planned before a unit goes against the wall | Handyman and property maintenance |
| Connecting the washing machine, dishwasher or cooker | The kitchen is usable from day one | Appliance installation |
The usual order is electrical and plumbing changes first, then filling and making good, with decorating last, so fresh paint is not damaged by other trades.
Arranging the work in Stratford
Send the whole list in one message, with photos if you can, so the visit can be planned around several jobs rather than one. Standard working hours are 7am–5pm, Monday to Friday. The documented standard minimum call-out is £80 for the first hour; the final price depends on the work involved and any materials. If something cannot wait, such as a leak you cannot isolate, out-of-hours emergency call-outs are available at different pricing. Call 020 3411 1855 or email info@voltifycontractors.co.uk.
Other areas in E15 and beyond
West Ham, Stratford New Town and Stratford Marsh are also within Voltify Contractors’ E15 coverage. For every location served across East and South-East London, see areas we cover, or browse all services.
