Congratulations, you’ve worked hard, made sacrifices, and now you’re a proud owner of a new house! You now have the keys to your new home, and the long wait is over.
However, moving into a new house can be stressful. You’re ready to begin a new chapter in your life, but getting there may seem like an eternity of preparation. There are a lot of tasks to accomplish before and after moving into a new house, from transferring utilities to packing, unpacking, and settling in.
If you don’t plan, the moving process could be an overwhelming experience. Fortunately, this article has compiled a comprehensive list of things to do when moving into a new house.
What to Do Before Moving into a New House
You should prioritize a few major things before moving into your new home. By checking off these tasks, you can make the rest of the transition much less stressful.
Get a Reliable Moving Company
Finding a reputable moving company to handle your household relocation is essential. You’ll need to find a reliable and affordable mover with a valid license and appropriate insurance. Although this may appear to be a challenging chore, it is totally worthwhile.
Trust one of the best professional moving companies in your region to take care of the most labor-intensive parts of your move, such as packing fragile goods, heavy furniture, and boxes, whether you’re relocating across town or the country.
Set Up or Transfer Utilities
You must first set up your physical utilities, including water, gas, and electricity, before moving into your new house and settling in. If you’re relocating to a nearby location, it could be possible to transfer your current utilities. But if you’re relocating to a new city, you’ll need to put in a bit more effort to determine who your new utility provider will be.
Once you’ve determined whether you’re switching providers or initiating brand-new services, it’s time to get in touch with each utility provider as early as possible (at least two to three weeks out) to arrange for installation at your new residence. Having no running water or power on a moving day is the last thing you’ll want to worry about.
Schedule a disconnect date with your current utilities’ providers. You might end up paying two bills at once. Also, before moving in, double-check that your utilities have been connected. Turn on the electricity, the gas stove (if present), and the water to ensure everything functions efficiently.
Check the House Appliances
When moving into a new house, it may or may not come with appliances such as a dishwasher, stove, or refrigerator. And if you’re a first-time homeowner, you’ll want to make sure you budget for these costly items and have them installed before you move in.
Even if you were a former homeowner and already have these appliances, they may not fit in the new space; therefore, you should take measurements and acquire new appliances accordingly.
On the other hand, if your new house already has the major appliances, give them a quick check to ensure they are in good working condition. Check that everything is working by turning on the stove, starting the dishwasher, testing the microwave, and checking the refrigerator’s temperature.
Change Your Address
Numerous aspects of your life are linked to your address, many of which you may be unaware of. Before moving out, it’s important to update your address everywhere, from banks and credit cards to subscriptions and loyalty programs, insurance providers, checkbook companies, automobile registration, and driver’s license agencies.
Remember to upgrade your groceries and food delivery services. Changing your address should be a priority on the list of things to do when moving into a new house to avoid any inconveniences.
Prepare to Pack
The days and weeks preceding up to (and following) your relocation may be less stressful if you take the time to plan how and what you pack as move-in day approaches. It is a crucial step in the list of things to do when moving into a new house. Take into account doing the following as you are preparing to pack.
Clear Out
Start by decluttering. Throw out what you do not need and donate those items that are still in good condition. Next, take note of what needs to be replaced.
Give Thought to Storage Options
Remember that the amount of storage space you have in your new place will vary depending on its layout and dimensions. Don’t forget to take the dimensions of your furniture into account.
Is there any chance the couch will fit into the available space? Do you think the washer and dryer will fit? Do the bedrooms provide enough space for your current beds? You may minimize the stress associated with packing and unpacking by considering storage options before you move.
Assemble Key Documents
You know those key documents collecting dust in your filing cabinet, right? They must also come along for the ride. These documents include social security cards, birth certificates, insurance policies, medical records, and similar things.
Determine First-Day Necessities
An ‘open first’ box must be packed! Include everything you’ll need to get through the first 24 hours at your new house in this box. Consider an air mattress, some bedding, a clean outfit, a toothbrush and toothpaste, other cosmetics and toiletries, some drinks, snacks, and some extra cash.
Schedule Home Renovations
After the home inspection process, you will likely discover that your new house requires a few repairs, which you’ll want to get done before you move in. It is preferable to have some repairs addressed, such as leaky plumbing and broken windows, before moving day commotion ensues.
You should also consider working on the paint and flooring of your new house to match your style and aesthetics. Scheduling renovations are among the crucial tasks you should consider in this list of things to do when moving into a new house.
Schedule a Deep Cleaning Session
It’s a good idea to clean all the corners of your new house before moving in. The previous owner probably didn’t give it a thorough cleaning (at least not to your standards) in preparation for your arrival.
If you don’t have time to handle it yourself, hire a cleaning company to come in and give it a good clean-up. When you’ve invested this much work into securing a new house, you should have nothing less than a sparkling residence! Scheduling a cleaning session tops the list of things to do when moving into a new house.
What to Do After Moving into a New House
You did it! You’ve finally moved everything into your new house, but that’s no reason to relax. You’re almost done with your new house checklist, and there are only a few things left to do. Establishing a daily (or weekly) target for completing these tasks can help you stay motivated and on track. You’ll be settled in no time if you get realistic and adhere to your schedule.
Take Your Time to Unpack
Don’t expect to finish unpacking everything on day one—Rome wasn’t built in a day, either. if you’ve taken the time to carefully organize your packing by labeling your boxes and ensuring you have all the necessities in place, you may take your time unpacking and organizing your new home. Take your time and try to relish the opportunity to make this house a home for you and your family.
Know Your House
Take your time discovering your new home, from figuring out which chimney needs a brick sealant to coming up with an emergency action plan.
Locate the Circuit Box and Examine the Emergency Shutoffs
Even if your new residence isn’t brand-new, it’s still new to you! Thus, it is essential to comprehend how things operate. Finding the emergency shut-offs and the circuit-breaker box is one of the first things you should do after moving into a home. If the box isn’t labeled, give each circuit a name to know which one serves which device or room.
Check the Dates on Smoke and CO Detectors and Replace them if Necessary
It’s crucial to know where your smoke and CO detectors are and have technicians check that they are operational. As long as they’re in good working condition, smoke alarms may be the easiest and most effective way to safeguard your family and your house from a fire.
Additionally, if there is a fire hydrant in your new house, you should get a technician to conduct fire hydrant testing for effective protection against fire. Maintaining these items is essential in this list of things to do when moving into a new house.
Examine Your HVAC System.
Your HVAC system is a costly necessity. You, a technician, or a property manager must inspect your HVAC system days after your move. Check your home’s insulation, ductwork, and heating and cooling units for any warning signs of malfunction.
Take care of any maintenance that appears to be required as soon as possible. Additionally, conduct a home air duct cleaning for better overall air quality. Examining your HVAC system is a vital task in your list of things to do when moving into a new house.
Check Your Water Heaters
It’s important to ensure your water heaters are functioning if you want access to reliable hot water throughout the year and avoid the possibility of unexpected cold showers. In case you require water heater service, contact an expert for assistance.
Septic Inspection
You must assess your new home’s septic system. Regular septic pumping is necessary for septic system maintenance because many problems can arise if left unattended.
Test Your Sump Pump
Testing your sump pump is among the list things to do when moving into a new house. Check that it functions by adding water. The most frequent period for a sump pump to fail is during the first heavy downpour and after several months of inactivity.
Cast iron pumps can rust and seize in submerged areas. And once they turn on, they might fail. Do this to avoid getting stuck when the water levels rise.
Driveway Paving
In this list of things to do when moving into a new house is driveway paving. By using asphalt pavers, you can say goodbye to the dry, cracked concrete that requires constant maintenance. Ensure you go through a list of reputable paving companies and select the best according to your needs and the aesthetics you want to achieve in your new residence.
Change Your Locks
It is also essential to replace the locks before moving into a new house to avoid any worries and give your family a sense of security. Even if you have no concerns about the former occupants, you don’t know how many people have keys to your property. You can change the locks on all outside doors if you feel more comfortable doing so.
Although smart locks are quite pricey, consider getting them as they are a worthy investment. Changing your locks is crucial in this list of things to do when moving into a new house.
Explore the Community
When you need a break, look for the stores, sites, and community centers of interest that will become your family’s new destinations.
Join neighborhood-specific social platforms to discover what’s happening in your new location. Building a rapport with your neighbors can help your new house feel more like a home within a short time of moving in.
Relocating can be a hassle. However, settling into a new home, community, and city can still be a thrilling adventure. This list of things to do when moving to a new house and early planning can help alleviate some of the pressure.