As you already know, moving into a new home is no simple task. Between taking care of everything you need to before moving into a new house, buying household items needed for your new home, and updating your address to notify everyone you’ve moved, there is quite a bit to do before you can fully settle in.
We’ve compiled our top tips for packing along with a new home checklist below to ease some of the burdens of moving into a new house and keeping track of everything you need to do when moving.
Moving Into a New House Checklist
- Do a thorough walk-through as soon as possible.
- Child-proof or pet-proof your new house if needed.
- Make a plan to unpack your house.
- Call your service providers to set up or transfer your utilities.
- Locate and test some of your home’s most important safety features.
- Clean your home before you move in.
- Deep clean appliances.
- Plan where your things will go.
- Prioritize needed repairs and updates.
- Refinish hardwoods or get new carpet or flooring.
- Consider cleaning your furniture.
- Replace your HVAC filter.
- Change all exterior locks.
- Install a home security system.
- Create a new house file or binder.
- Update your address.
- Meet your neighbors.
- Explore your new area.
1. Do a thorough walk-through as soon as possible.
As soon as you have keys to your new home, stop by to make sure that the house is in the condition you expect and that all the terms of the sale were met. Check that all appliances that conveyed with the house were left behind, the house is clean, and agreed-upon repairs were completed.
2. Child-proof or pet-proof your new house if needed.
Go ahead and place outlet covers in the home’s outlets if you have small children. If your yard is fenced, walk the perimeter of the fence to make sure there are no holes a pet could use to escape.
Look for any hazards that could be dangerous to your child or pet. If you don’t have time to check the whole house right away, make sure one area of the house is safe for your child or pet to play in, and gate it off from the rest of the house.
3. Make a plan to unpack your house.
Consider what items you’ll need access to first and which rooms are most important for you to get in order, then create a prioritized list of how to unpack and organize things.
4. Call your service providers to set up or transfer your utilities.
You’ll need electricity, water, and gas (if applicable) set up right away, and you’ll also want to set up your phone, internet, and cable service soon thereafter.
5. Locate and test some of your home’s most important safety features.
Find your electrical panel and water shut-off valve so you know where they are in case of an emergency. Then, find and test all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
If there are fire extinguishers in the home, locate them as well and check their expiration dates, and if there aren’t any, add them to your list of things to purchase after moving in.
6. Clean your home before you move in.
The easiest time to clean your home is while it’s empty. Schedule a cleaning service to come clean things up before you move in, or set aside some time for you to clean it yourself. You’ll want to scrub the bathrooms, clean windows and doors, wipe away any dust or dirt on baseboards and trim, clean the kitchen surfaces, and vacuum and mop the floors.
7. Deep clean appliances.
In addition to general house cleaning, you’ll also need to clean your appliances for maximum safety and efficiency.
Take some time to clean your refrigerator’s coils to help it run more efficiently, then focus on removing lint from your dryer duct for both safety and faster drying. Clean your stove, dishwasher, washing machine, and air conditioning unit as well.
8. Plan where your things will go.
Before your movers arrive with all your stuff, figure out a general idea of what furniture will go where so you can tell the movers where to put it. You can bring a tape measure and even some graph paper with you when you do your walkthrough to help you figure out the best place to put your things.
9. Prioritize needed repairs and updates.
Begin creating a list of any repairs or updates your house needs, along with other house projects such as painting, so you can start to prioritize what needs to happen.
10. Refinish hardwoods or get new carpet or flooring.
It’s much easier to update your floors before you move your furniture and other belongings in than it is to do it later on.
11. Consider cleaning your furniture.
Moving is a great opportunity to clean any furniture you’re bringing with you. Rent equipment to steam clean your sofa and other upholstered furniture, and refresh your wooden furniture with mineral spirits.
12. Replace your HVAC filter.
Changing your air filter is a cheap, effective way to improve your home’s indoor air quality. If you suffer from allergies, you may want to hire a professional to clean your ducts as well.
13. Change all exterior locks.
You’ll want to do this as soon as possible before you begin moving into your home, as you don’t know who may have a key to your house.
- Change the locks on each exterior door, and have them re-keyed to the same new key for simplicity. Get copies of the key made for each person who will be living in your home.
- If you have any smart locks or locks with keypads, be sure to change those codes right away. If you don’t have an existing keyless entry on one door, consider installing one, as this provides a much safer alternative to hiding a key in case someone gets locked out.
14. Install a home security system.
Setting up a home security system is something else to do right away to keep you, your family, your home, and your belongings secure. At CPI Security, we can help you choose the right equipment and services to give you peace of mind and keep your new home secure from the very first night you spend in it.
Pro tip: If you’re a CPI customer, our Movers Program provides exclusive discounts and upgrades that are only available to current customers. Ask about our Movers Program and see how you qualify.
15. Create a new house file or binder.
Use this to store all paperwork related to your home, such as security system information, appliance warranties, paint colors, HOA covenants, and insurance information.
16. Update your address.
Anyone who regularly sends you mail will need your new address. Further below you’ll find a list of some of the people or companies you may need to update.
17. Meet your neighbors.
As you run into people in their yards or out and about, take time to introduce yourself. Knowing your neighbors is a key part of settling into a new home, finding a sense of community, and even keeping your home safe while you’re away.
18. Explore your new area.
Ask your neighbors for recommendations, use your favorite map app on your phone, or simply drive around to identify and locate the places you’ll need to visit right away, such as grocery stores, drug stores, or hardware stores. At the same time, you can look for restaurants, parks, and other fun things to do and see in your new neighborhood.
Things To Buy For a New House
Once you move into your new home, you’ll likely find yourself visiting your local hardware store, home goods store, or furniture store quite often. Here are some things you may need to buy for your new house right away:
- Exterior locks
- Fire extinguishers
- Child-proofing or pet-proofing supplies
- Living room, dining room, bedroom and/or office furniture
- Rugs
- Lamps
- HVAC filters
- Appliances, if your house doesn’t already have them
What to Bring First When Moving Into a New House
If you referenced our moving out checklist when you packed up your old home, you should already have an “open first” box of all the things you’ll need right away when moving into a new house, such as:
- Basic first aid supplies
- Cleaning supplies
- Toiletries and clothes for a few days
- Snacks and ingredients for easy meals
- Basic tools
- Sheets, pillows, blankets, towels, and an air mattress if needed
- Paper and pens
- Phone chargers
- Toilet paper and paper towels
- Trashbags
- Scissors
List of Household Items Needed for a New Home
Whether you decide to pack them or buy them new, you’ll need the following things when you get to your new house:
- Paper products like toilet paper and paper towels
- Shower curtains and new liners
- Blinds or curtains
- Lamps for added lights
- Furniture
- Kitchen essentials
- Bedding
- Towels
- Basic tools
- Batteries
- Lightbulbs
- Cleaning supplies
What to Update When You Move
Lastly, don’t forget that you’ll need to update your address with everyone who frequently sends you mail or packages. Begin by notifying the USPS – you can easily change your address and set up mail forwarding here.
You’ll also need to alert anyone else who has your old address and provide your updated one, such as:
- IRS
- DMV
- Social Security Office
- Utility companies
- Insurance company
- Employer
- Banks and credit card companies
- Magazines
- Subscription services
- Local board of elections
- Retail sites
- Streaming services
- Doctor’s offices
Additionally, consider sending out a moving announcement to update your friends and family and provide your new address.
Moving In Made Simple
Feeling more prepared now? If you’re in the process of selling your home or moving out of your apartment, we wish you the best of luck getting packed and organized. For more helpful tips on all things home, security, safety, and innovation, visit the CPI blog today.
