First Day Checklist and Tips When Moving Into a New Home

Moving into a new house is by no means easy. In fact, next to renovations, moving to a new home is possibly one of the most difficult tasks that you will face as a homeowner. From the minute you start looking for a new home, taking care of all that paperwork, and packing up, all you want to do is put your things into your new home, sit on the sofa, turn on the TV, and enjoy. Wanting to relax immediately after all the boxes have been hauled in can be an impulse.

But you should control yourself as day one of moving in is super important and just because all your belongings are already in your new home, it doesn’t mean that you’re done for the day. There are still a lot of important things to take care of and the sooner you get them done, the sooner you can start the next chapter of your life in the new home. 

Your “Moving Into a New House” Checklist

These are just some of the moving essentials you need to take care of on the first day in your new home. Now, obviously, you can’t get everything done on day one, as that would be far too much work, especially if your house is large and you’ve moved a very far distance from your previous home. If there’s one essential tip you should keep in mind on what to do when you move into a new house it’s that you shouldn’t overwork yourself. Try to get as much done as possible without completely getting exhausted. And the following checklist items should be a great place to start.

1. Check the Utilities

Why the Utilities Need to Be Checked

Moving into a new house does not mean postponing your comfort until everything is in place and the moving-in process is completely finished. Especially if you’re moving in the winter, your utilities should already be functioning properly, be it the heating, electricity, plumbing, etc. Check the water, all the faucets in your home (or at least the most essential ones). Also, see if the lights are working, as you will need plenty of illumination when you’re moving things around in the evening. The last thing you want to do is bump and fall over boxes of items as you’re hauling your things into the new home.

2. Organize Important Paperwork

The Importance of Paperwork When Moving

There is going to be chaos on the first day in your new home. This is an inescapable fact and no matter how organized you are and plan every step, there is going to be something out there that does not go according to plan. Now, as you’re dealing with all those boxes, furniture, and the constant fear of not being sure if you’ve forgotten something very important, paperwork is not going to be on your mind. Not many people like dealing with paperwork in general, what’s more on the day they move to a new home. But paperwork is a necessary “evil” and you need to keep track of it. Paperwork like inventory documentation, bill of lading, and liability information are all crucial for your moving process, and losing track of these documents could mean extra work for you, something that you surely don’t want to deal with on your first day at home.

3. Look Through Photos of Your Expensive Belongings

Don’t Take Risks With Your Prized Possessions

Even the most professional movers can make a mistake. No matter how much experience your movers may have, there is always a chance that something goes wrong on the trip and one of your items gets damaged or even entirely lost. Obviously, you’re not going to take a photo of every single sock you have in your possession, but something like a family heirloom shouldn’t go ignored. Before packing up, you need to take photos, not only of yourself and your family but also of your most important possessions. Keep these photos on hand and also make sure that the movers also have their copies. This is done so that in case something is broken on the way, you can see the damage in the photograph, and the moving company can provide you with proper compensation. So, once you’ve more or less reached your new home and have started unloading your belongings, check your most expensive possessions and compare them to the photos on the spot, with the movers present.

4. Ensure Entertainment Is Working

How Entertainment Helps When Moving In

This list is not in order of importance, so don’t think that setting up entertainment is that high in priority. But entertainment does certainly help. The first benefit of having the internet and cable set up, as well as some toys unboxed, is that it gives your children something to do. While we would all love to have as many helping hands as possible on move-in day, some children do have the case of the butterfingers and may end up being more of a liability than a benefit. Not to mention how with all that heavy furniture being moved around there is also a risk of them getting hurt. So, if you can keep your children entertained (or more specifically, distracted) you could keep them in the safety of their room as the adults handle the moving. Sure, they could help you with some of the smaller boxes, especially the ones for their room, and this can even be a genuinely entertaining family experience. But for the more heavy and fragile items, it’s best that they sit that part out.

5. Map Out Your Surroundings

Why You Should Know Your Surroundings When Moving In

Say you’ve moved in, all the boxes are inside, or you may have even already unpacked everything and your home is ready to be lived in. As you’re about to plop down on the sofa and get some rest, you hear a familiar sound that signifies something of utmost importance: your stomach is rumbling. But you may be in a completely new area of the city, state, or even country and you have absolutely no idea what restaurants there are in your area, what grocery stores have those pizza rolls your kids like, or where you can purchase basic hygiene products to wash up with. This is why it’s crucial that you map out your surrounding area and find all the essential business and services you’ll need from day one. This includes stores, food places, hospitals, contractor offices, and even police stations. You don’t know what emergencies you may face on your first day at home; it may just be that you have an unwanted “visitor” who wants to see your new home. You should always know if the authorities are nearby and while obviously, you can contact them anywhere in the country via 911, having a general idea of the local area could be that sense of security you need when moving to a completely new place. 

6. Cleaning 

Day One Cleanup and Why You Should Do It

Last, but certainly not least on the move-in day checklist is getting everything cleaned up. Many homeowners get their houses thoroughly cleaned up right before the movers come by with all the belongings and furniture. However, consider just how dirty your house will get after the move-in process is finished. All those people walking in and out of your home, those dusty boxes, and all manner of other dirty objects are being hauled around your home. If you’re too exhausted to do it yourself, hire professional cleaners to come in and clean up for you. Don’t leave it for later as no one wants to remember their first days at home being coated in dust and covered in dirt. 

Move-In Day Tips

A Few Extra Tips for Moving Day

1. Have a Home Inspector On Standby

One thing you need to do when you first move in, even before the boxes are emptied, is to do a little walkthrough of your home just to see if everything is in order. No matter how attentive you were when purchasing your property, there is still a chance you may have missed a very small detail. This is why it’s important to have a home inspector on standby, preferably the same specialist who helped you purchase the property to begin with. Have them look through the property and give you further feedback on any of the shortcomings of your home and potential future improvements that may be needed.

2. Keep In Touch With Specialists

Even the newest homes on the market are not without their difficulties. As advanced as construction technology has gotten, there are still certain unforeseen problems that will arise and for this, you need to have a list compiled of all the contractors and construction trades you may need to contact if something does go wrong. This includes electricians, plumbers, pest control, roofing experts, and so on. Keep track of these professionals and local contractors so that if something does go wrong on your first day at home you’ll fix it on the spot.  

3. Have the Necessary Supplies 

You’ll have likely noticed that many of these moving day tips are all a matter of precaution. This is because no matter how much you’ve checked your home with a home inspector and analyzed every nook and cranny, it is still an entirely new experience to live in it and it’s almost impossible to predict what could happen on your first day at home. So, have provisions ready just in case you don’t have enough time to unpack completely on the first day. Keep medical supplies close by, as well as some food, and warm clothing. Food is actually a common problem for many households moving in, as the kitchen may not be completely set up from day one and nearby restaurants may be closed for the day. So having all your supplies ready for you and your household is a great way to ensure that everyone is healthy and has a full stomach.

4. Get Decluterrings Services

Most homeowners like to take the process of organizing their new home onto themselves, not realizing how tired they’ll be after the moving that they won’t have much energy to handle the basics of interior organization. This is why it’s recommended that you book a decluttering service beforehand so that they can come in and give you a helping hand in organizing your new home. Professional declutterers know all the nuances of organizing a new home and what needs to go where to create a seamless flow and a cozy interior aesthetic right from day one.