Just bought first house. What do I need? (hardwood, how much, shingles)

[cmeibe]

I just signed a contract for a new construction home. This is my first home and I'm trying to think of all the things I will need to buy. I have always lived in an apartment so I know i need a few things.
lawn mower, ladder, garden house. anything else?
any advice would also be appreciated

[kt2le]

We had to buy the things you mentioned plus a weedeater for the outside. Perhaps an exterior broom and rake, too, or a blower. Inside we had to buy a washer & dryer, refrigerator and blinds for all the windows, which really added up. Except for necessities, many things you'll accumulate over time and, before you know it, you'll have all kinds of stuff you forgot you had - lol! My brother-in-law gave us an old ladder he had, too, which was handy but something we could have borrowed from a neighbor when needed.

[pinkpocketbooks]

window treatments and blinds can be a very large expense. you at least want to get blinds up on your bedroom windows to begin with.

look for garden supplies and tools on Craigslist.

[sean98125]

The most important home ownership lesson I learned from my dad:

For every household project you get to buy a tool.

[twinmma]

yes:
lawn mower
hose
shovel
rake
snow blower if in region where it snows a lot (or, as mentioned above, shovel)
blinds and window treatments are very expensive as mentioned in above post, so factor that in. May not seem like a big deal but if you have hardwoods, blinds and treatments will help keep fading to a minimum.

[sgresident]

All of the above! you might want to watch for the spring garage sales in the area that you are moving too. You might be able to find some of the things you need, secondhand. If you have a backyard, you might want a patio set, grill, outdoor lighting. all of this can really add up. be sure to keep good track of expenses. when you have been living in an apartment, you don't have the same kind of utility expenses. if you are not used to them, they can run quite high. don't forget a garbage can!

[shadowfax1997]

Originally Posted by cmeibe

I just signed a contract for a new construction home. This is my first home and I'm trying to think of all the things I will need to buy.
any advice would also be appreciated

On a new construction, please make sure you have a detailed list of materials they are using in the house. Ours was detailed I thought, but found out much later the contractor skimped.

example - the roof didn't have asphalt paper under the asphalt shingles. Not specified in contract. Apparently, maine code didn't require it - it may not I don't know. THus, the asphalt shingles were not guarenteed because the require the asphalt paper under the shingle. screwed when roof started leaking, and of course that was after the two year warrenty.

we had several other examples of construction techniques I took for granted but the contractor skimped on. Wish I could have been on site more while house was being built.

[tambre]

Hi,
You need nerves of steel, the patience of a saint, and very deep pockets! Just kidding, best of luck with your new home, that's fantastic!!

[motormaker]

cmeibe, can I take you shopping at Home Depot or Lowe's? Of course, you get to pay.

You will pick up knowledge over time what you need/want and what you can borrow from neighbors.

[cmeibe]

How much for blinds? I have five bedrooms, great room, living room and kitchen. I was thinking a couple thousand installed.