There is a lot to consider when you’re moving into a new home. Unpacking isn’t the only major tasks standing in the way of fully settling in. Getting associated with your house, learning how it functions and prioritizing what projects you want to tackle is part and parcel of taking on your role as a homeowner. It’s better to do it all right when you move in instead of waiting and just assuming you’ll figure it all out later on. Of course, you’ve got a lot going on already. So to help you set your to-do list straight, we’ve put together this quick list of the 10 most important things that you need to do when moving into a new home.
People relocate for many reasons – moving for work, to be closer to family, to move to a better school district for their kids and more.
Once you turn the key in the lock and step over the threshold as a new homeowner, you're entitled to bask in the revelation that you've bought a new home. However, next on your "things to do list" is just that – everything else you need to do.
Do a complete walkthrough
There’s no better time to do a complete walkthrough of your new house than when it is completely empty. So before you move anything in, take a look around and do a final check on the following items:
Make sure the previous owner made all requested and agreed-upon repairs
Everything that was to be included in the sale is present in the house
Everything is in working order, including outlets, switches, fixtures, doors and windows
The seller left behind all warranties and maintenance guides
The house is free of dirt, debris, mold and pests
The lawn is in reasonably good condition
All your furniture is going to fit
Make sure that your utilities are set up Hopefully, you took care of arranging for your utilities to be transferred or set up before moving into your new home, in which case now is the time to make sure that everything is ready to go and working properly. On moving day, verify that your electric, gas, water, heating and cooling, phone and internet are set up. Then call your local waste management facility to ensure that your new home is set up for garbage pickup as well.
Schedule A Deep Clean
Your first thought may be to deep clean your new home. You can do it yourself or you may want to forgo scrubbing floors and hire a cleaning service instead. A cleaning service typically costs $40 – $50 per hour, depending on the size of your home, the location and the type of cleaning you need. It's a good idea to interview house cleaners ahead of time before you make a decision about the cleaner you prefer.
Set Up Safety Measures For Kids And Pets
Is your new house safe for children and pets? Put up safety gates at the top and bottom of the stairs, add outlet covers, secure heavy furniture to the wall, keep furniture away from windows, stow long electrical and window cords and lock cabinets and windows to keep kids and pets out.
Keep cleaners and detergents, trash bins, heavy cookware and sharp objects out of reach. Keep any other dangerous packing supplies away from both kids and pets.
Unpack Your Supplies
When you have moving boxes sitting around in every room in your house from the moving company, your first reaction may be to jump in and start taking things out of every box you see. You may want to resist that impulse, however, because it can get overwhelming quickly. It's a good idea to consider having an organized system at hand, such as putting boxes that belong in each room and unpacking two at a time.
You may also want to consider unpacking the most important boxes first, such as kitchen and bathroom supplies. Prioritizing the rooms you'll use the most will help you stay organized while you're going through the process of unpacking.
Change House Locks
It's important for brand-new homeowners to change their house locks once they move in. You don't know who has keys to the home besides the previous homeowner, who could have passed out a dozen copies of the keys and given them to various friends and neighbors. It's better to put yourself in control of your home's security. Get new house locks as soon as possible.
Clean the fridge first
Storing your perishable food is a priority, so before you get to everything else, start by sanitizing your new fridge. It shouldn’t take long as it’s empty. Remove the shelves and drawers if you can and clean those individually with soap and warm water. For the inside of the fridge, make a solution of equal parts water and white vinegar, and use a clean rag to scrub down all the surfaces. If there’s any stuck-on gunk to remove, let the water/vinegar solution sit and soak in for a bit. Make sure shelves are completely dry and then return them to the fridge. Do the same with the freezer.
Clean the rest of the kitchen
Once the fridge is clean you can get to work on the rest of the kitchen. Start with the lighting fixtures, corners of the ceiling and the tops of the cabinets. Then do the appliances: stovetop, oven, microwave, dishwasher and sink, followed by the countertops. Do the cabinets next, making sure to clean them on both the inside and the outside and paying special attention to their handles. Hold off on doing the floor for now.
Clean the bathrooms
Bathroom cleaning is as much about disinfecting as it is about spotless surfaces. After the initial scrub down, follow up with an antibacterial spray to get rid of any lingering germs. For toilet seats, just go ahead and replace them. It’s a small expense, and the most efficient way to ensure they’re really clean. Be sure to clean and sanitize the toilet paper holder, light switches, faucets and door handles.
Test Your Smoke Detectors And HVAC System
Test your new smoke detectors and HVAC system. If there is a problem with either, it's a good idea to get them checked out right away. You want to know that your heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems are working. If you move in the dead of winter or during the heat of summer, you'll want to make sure your systems are working well.
Transfer Utilities
Make sure your utilities are turned off at your old residence, then make sure they are transferred or turned on at your new location. Consider researching utility providers ahead of your move to determine whether you've chosen the right provider for you. Depending on the company, you may need to pay a transfer fee and a new service setup charge. If you're a new customer, check with the utility company to find out what you need to do to set them up.
Consider prioritizing by setting up utilities for the following:
Water/sewer
Gas
Electricity
Refuse/trash collection (if applicable to your new home)
Once you've switched your service to a new home, a technician will come by to set up your utilities.
Set Up Connectivity – TV, Internet And Phone Services
Many providers can give you access to various connectivity services, such as TV, internet and phone. Some companies allow their customers to transfer services from one location to another, while others may force them to cancel the services at one place before setting up services at another. Once you've decided on a service provider, you can pay an installer or in some cases, such as installing internet or cable, you can do it yourself.
You may pay a relocation fee, depending on the company's policies.
Schedule Home Improvements
What repairs do you need to make to your new home? Some repairs may require more attention than others, such as leaky pipes, structural issues, a roof that needs replaced, etc. Get any problems addressed sooner than later if they aren’t taken care of before move-in day. Consider prioritizing the home improvements you need to have done based on the seriousness of each issue. Painting a room likely ranks on a lower priority than a leaky roof, for example. Consider getting a list of contractors in the area and interview them as soon as you know you'll need to make improvements to your new home.
Find A New Health Care Provider And Transfer Your Medical Records
Ask around in your new community to determine the best health care providers for your needs. If necessary, find new doctors for everyone in your family, from orthodontists to pediatricians to family doctors. Call your old provider and ask them to send your medical records to your new provider's office. It's a good idea to get this done as soon as possible because you never know when you'll need a new doctor!
Connect With New Neighbors
Your neighborhood can also help you get connected and feel a part of the community. It helps to have relationships with your neighbors when you need somebody to house-sit or in an emergency. Here are some tips to get to know your neighbors:
Wave and smile in passing
Send them gifts or baked goods during the holidays
Host a block party
Strike up occasional conversations
To make friends with your neighbors, you need to be a good neighbor yourself. With small gestures and conversations here and there, you can build relationships that positively impact your surroundings and even your mental health.
In the craziness of moving, it's often hard to know where to start. Begin with our checklist so you have a good start diving into all the tasks you need to accomplish after your move.
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