10 Things to Do before You Move into a New Home

“Packing can be a theater; it can create a story!” — Steve Jobs

As you begin your trek to your new location, you’ll want to ensure that as many details are taken care of before the relocation team rolls out.

To help you make the most of your move and your new location, we have compiled a short checklist of what to do before, during, and after your move-in day. Some of this you have read before, but it’s worth repeating.

Because some moves take weeks, if not months, it’s easy to overlook details. Also, remember this is a short list and not extensive.

This is why we say: begin with a simple list of “to-dos.” As your list grows, turn that into a plan. In other blogs, we have covered why having a plan is so important. One of the main reasons is that it keeps you on track, and regardless of your age, you will forget something along the way.

Plans keep us focused. They help you with time management and with your financial budget. And as moving day approaches, if you have done what is outlined on this website, you should be well ahead of the curve.

What to Do Right Before the Move

• You will know what your moving team needs, and they will see what you expect of them. From unpacking your essentials to selecting furnishings and decor, a checklist covers everything you’ll need to do to adjust to your home. A relocation team’s primary goal outside the main move is to guide you through the transition as seamlessly as possible.
• Days before the movers arrive, make sure you have walked through the house with your builder or seller. Take notes: Is everything in the same condition as when you agreed to buy or rent the property? Check for any recent damage that may have occurred as the previous owner or occupant moved out.
• Set Up a Time for Deep Cleaning. No need to list a lot of things here. You can hire a cleaner or do it yourself. Even though a builder will have the house cleaned, no one does it as well as you or someone you have hired to do it! Moving into an unclean environment is not fun.

It’s also essential to ensure that everything is in working order. Specifically, you should—

• Check the faucets for leaks.
• Flush the toilets.
• Inspect labels on the circuit breaker.
• Test the water heater. Is it heating water?
• Test the smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Test the outlets.
• Turn on all the lights and appliances.
• Look at the appearance of the walls. Make sure the previous owners leave no unrepaired damage.
• Check the HVAC system. This is crucial if you are in extreme heat or cold weather environments.
• Work closely with your Moving Team. Know where they are and when you can expect them to arrive.

Pack a box or suitcase with all the essentials you’ll need in your new home for the first day or two. Include the following items:

• Change of clothes
• Charge cords for your electronics
• Cleaning supplies
• Flashlights
• Toilet paper and paper towels
• Toothbrush and other toiletries.

Pack these items in a clearly labeled box and carry it with you in your car or overnight luggage. You want to avoid digging through multiple moving boxes to find what you need on your first night.

Submit a Change of Address. Plenty of us forget to do this! We get to our new location, and then it hits us that we failed to file a change of address with the Post Office. A change of address can take weeks. Having mail forwarded to your new address can also take time.

Change Your Locks on your first day of ownership! There will be an expense involved, but you will feel safer. Besides, you do not know who has come in and out of your new home.

Having a Plan in place for Unpacking Loose drawings of each room with furniture placement helps your moving team to unload and set up furniture quickly. It will also keep you on track. 

Consider adding a Home Security System. Even if you do not hire a security company, it is easy to install cameras that offer backup views of the outside and inside of your house. So, before all the boxes come in the door, have a security plan.

Check for Precautions for Children and Pets. Do this on your first walk-through. Responsible parents and pet owners know how to do this quickly. You are looking for anything that would be a hazard to you or a loved one. Remember that pets are quick; before you know it, one can eat something highly toxic. You want your move to be as trouble-free as possible, so watch for things like rat bait, poisonous chemicals, and dangerous tools.

Dispose of Boxes and Packing Materials Appropriately. Most neighbors do not like to see boxes piled up near the end of your driveway. Moving boxes are usually made of corrugated cardboard, a readily recyclable material.

UHaul.com suggests: “There are also plenty of ways to reuse your moving boxes. U-Haul has tons of moving supplies and offers a box exchange and a few other programs to help you figure out what to do with your boxes after moving.

“Cardboard moving boxes are easily recyclable; if you want to get rid of your moving boxes, recycle them simply. Recycling cardboard is effective, helps the environment, and reduces the cardboard waste that stacks up in landfills. Recycling also conserves water and reduces energy consumption.”

Most moving boxes are recyclable, but the boxes must be broken down and laid flat. Any tape or adhesives must be removed before placing the boxes into a curbside bin or taken to a recycling facility.

Make Sure Utilities are On We have mentioned this in previous blogs. Don’t be caught in the dark or just as bad: without coffee the morning after your move. Ensure the Utilities are on, and plenty of pizza for the afternoon football game!

Schedule any Work that Needs to be done. After the move is complete, call the necessary work teams if needed. Here’s where that “to-do” list comes in handy. Make a note of everything you need to do once your move is complete.

There’s always a need to visit the local hardware store! The hammer you thought you packed is missing. The screwdriver you bought is also MIA! You wake up the following day and decide that you know precisely where that canvas print needs to be hung, but someone borrowed the measuring tape, and now you can’t find it.

Moving is one, if not the most important thing you will ever do. So, make the most of the time you have been given!