Moving Guide

Moving to Greater Victoria? Appliance Checklist for Your New Home

A home inspection checks that appliances turn on, but it doesn't tell you much beyond that. A few extra steps in your first week can save you a surprise service call a few months in.

Your First-Week Checklist

• Run every major appliance through a full cycle, even the ones the inspection already checked — appliances can develop issues in transit or after sitting unused during a sale
• Find and label the water shutoff valves behind the fridge and washer, so you're not searching for them during an actual leak
• Check that the dryer vent is properly connected and not crushed, especially in older character homes — like some found in Fairfield or James Bay — where past renovations may have moved or pinched the ductwork
• If the previous owner left manuals or purchase records, note the age of each appliance — it's the difference between troubleshooting a quick fix and recognizing signs of a unit nearing the end of its life
• If your new home is on well water rather than municipal — more common out toward Sooke or Central Saanich — know that hard water speeds up wear on dishwashers and washing machines, so keep an eye on them

None of this requires calling in a technician right away. It's just the kind of groundwork that turns a possible surprise repair into something you saw coming.

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