First of all, congratulations on moving into your new home! We guess that you are super excited and also exhausted, but now is not the time to rest as you still have a new home checklist to fill out. The journey can be pretty exhausting, and the preparation, endless as a lot has to go into your new home. Organization is key here, or else it will be a hair-tearing experience. It’s okay to worry, but luckily enough for you, here is the ultimate new house checklist for your home that will make the moving process more comfortable and simpler.
Here’s a list of what to do when getting to a new home. It’s been grouped into two different categories; things you need to do before moving into a new house and things to do after moving in.
Pre-Move Essentials
Before you move, there are items that you need to knock off your new house checklist to ensure that the moving process runs smoothly.
Transfer Utilities
Before moving into your new home, set up, and transfer all the physical utilities: electricity, gas, and water. Inform the physical utility companies about your planned move and let them know precisely when you are moving in; this will ensure that the activation is timely. What to do when getting to your new home is to check if all the transferred physical utilities are in good working condition.
Connect the Internet and TV
Doing this ensures that you don’t move into a dead zone. Compare the pricing and figure out the best service provider that can cater to your needs and ensure that you do this and that there are running before your move-in date. Schedule the installation for 2 to 3 weeks before your move-in day and get it activated. Several companies can help you cancel, set up, or transfer your cable and internet plans.
Update Your Address and Gather Essential Documents
Getting your address connected and updated will make life much easier for you. By updating your address, everything in your life gets updated from your forwarding emails to subscription packages. Every one of your important documents has to tag along with you, and those that are just occupying space should be tossed into the shredder. This is a very important “what to do when getting to a new home”.
Take Photos of Valuable Items
By taking photos of valuable items, you create an inventory for yourself and also a proof of their original condition in case they get damaged during the move.
Take Off From Work and Schedule a Cleaning
Taking time off work will give you ample time to meet up with the schedules and appointments that you are going to be having with your repairers, installation team, and delivery agents. Also, cleaning all the nooks and crannies of your new home before moving into it will ensure that you do not move into a dirty home. Schedule an appointment with the cleaning service or take time off work to do the cleaning. Most new homeowners like to tidy up their exterior to give it a fresh curb appeal if it hasn’t already been done by the sellers. You can start with yard work, landscape trimming, window and screen cleaning, solar panel washing, exterior stucco, driveway and walkway pressure washing to name a few.
Schedule Home Improvements
Scheduling appointments with your property management company or the previous owner will let you know what and what in the house needs to be improved, and this will also ensure that they are taken care of before you move in. You can also check the cabinets to see which ones need refacing or a completely new look.
Time to Pack
You’ve gotten almost everything prepared for your homecoming; now, it’s time to start packing your stuff to your new home. Give out things that you do not need, coordinate and label your boxes according to room and specificity and finally, include a survival kit, extra cash, water, snacks, toothbrush, fresh outfit, and an air mattress.
Post-Move Essentials
Now that you have gotten into your new home, there are still lots of things to do before you settle in fully. You can address each of these goals daily or weekly till they are completed.
Get Your Family and Friends to Help you Unpack
You need all the help that you can get, so getting friends and family to help you out with the unpacking makes it much easier. Create a logical list for unpacking and set deadlines to ensure a smooth flow. Make sure to maximize your garage space to help with storage of items you may not use all the time.
Change Your Locks
Change and reinstall your locks or hire a locksmith that will help you do that. This is to ensure that you have the only keys to your locks and that you have added security and peace of mind.
Locate Shut-Off Valves and the Circuit-Breaker
Locating the shut-off valves will ensure that you can shut off the water supply if there’s an emergency leak if you need to do repairs. Get familiar with locations of all shut-off valves. Also, the circuit-breaker is there to ensure that you are not all over the place when the time comes to reset it or replace a fuse. The typical locations for circuit-breakers are in hallways, storage closets, basements, or outdoors.
Set Up Your Home Security System and Decide on a Lock-Out Situation
If you already have one, ensure that you get it updated to your new address. Select the best home security system if you don’t have one yet. There’s also every possibility that you will get locked out of your home, so ensure that you plan for it by having back-up plans.
Test Your Smoke Detectors and Your HVAC System
Install a smoke detector and test it out to ensure that it does respond during an emergency. Also, check out you’re A/C, furnace, and HVAC system to ensure that it is in proper working condition. If they need to be repaired or replaced, do it immediately.
Create a Home Maintenance Checklist
As time goes on, you have to ensure that your home is in good shape by properly maintaining it. Unclog the bathroom and kitchen drains, clean the gutters, replace window blinds, reface the cabinets, etc.
Consider Remodeling Down the Line
Another big item on your home maintenance checklist could include remodeling the interior of your home. This could include any spaces of your home that you will use the most. For example a kitchen remodel is usually the first place people start with remodeling their home.
Throw a Housewarming Party
What wraps up a new home checklist like a housewarming party? Nothing! So, once you’re done with the checklist, ensure that you set a date for the housewarming party and start making memories that count and last. Don’t be a fool and forget about the indoor lighting!
We do hope that the new home checklist helps you avoid making any mistakes and keeps you organized as you get to your new home.