Moving to a new house is a mix of excitement and stress. While it’s fun to decorate and explore a new area, a long list of to-dos comes with moving. To make sure you keep your sanity and tackle all the mundane jobs, have a plan of attack before moving day.
Below, we’ve provided ten of the most important things to do when moving to a new house. Work from this list for a smooth transition.
Do a Deep Clean (Or Hire it Out)
Before lugging all your boxes to your new home, give it a deep clean. Unpacking in a house that’s already clean from top to bottom lets you focus on organization rather than wiping down each area before you unpack.
If you’re short on time or are moving to a new city or state, hire this job out so that your home is clean before you arrive. If you’ll be cleaning yourself, work from room to room, dusting ceilings, wiping down walls, cleaning baseboards and floors, and disinfecting toilets, showers, and sinks.
Test the HVAC
There’s nothing worse than spending a night in your new house in the dead of summer or winter if the HVAC system doesn’t work. When you get the new keys, test your heat or air to ensure no repairs are needed.
Transfer Utilities and Setup Services
A few days before moving, transfer electric, gas, and water into your name. You’ll also need to find the best internet service for your new place. And don’t forget about your phone service. If you’re moving to a new city or state, you might not get the reception you had in your old place.
Grab a piece of paper and write down all the utilities and services you need to set up, crossing them off as you go.
Paint If Needed
It’s much easier to paint in an empty house than one with furniture and boxes strewn about. Take the time to paint any rooms necessary before you start moving furniture. If your budget allows, hire this job out so that it’s one less task you have to be responsible for.
Systematically Unpack Your Belongings
Unpacking and finding a new spot for belongings is a source of stress for most movers, especially those with kids. To prevent an unorganized mess, sort boxes placing them in their appropriate rooms. Then, unpack the must-haves, like clothes, towels, and kitchen supplies.
Once the essentials are stocked, work room by room. Before moving on, find a spot for everything in one room.
Change Your Locks
If you’re a new homeowner, changing your locks is essential for safety and peace of mind. While the previous homeowners may have handed you a set of keys, you don’t know who else has a copy. Change the locks on any door that gives access to the house. If you’ve never changed locks before, hire this job out to a locksmith.
Set Up a Ring Door Bell or Have a Security System Installed
Security is vital in a new home, especially in a brand-new area. Call your security company and have them install a new security system. Or, at the very least, install a ring doorbell camera.
Replace Batteries in the Smoke Detectors
According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), smoke detectors should be installed in every sleeping room and on every floor outside of a sleeping room. Batteries must be changed at least once per year or when the smoke alarm starts chirping, indicating low battery life.
Since you don’t know when the previous homeowners last changed the batteries, you need to do it upon moving. Also, test all the smoke detectors and replace any that are defective.
Forward Your Mail
Changing your address is one of the most tedious moving admin tasks (see below). Besides that, you also need to forward your mail. You can do this online at USPS. All you need to do is fill out their online form, and they’ll forward mail addressed to your old location to your new home.
Change Your Address on All Important Documents
We saved the least enjoyable for the last: switching your address on bills, taxes, driver’s licenses, bank accounts, and all other important documents. While it might be a pain, it’s inevitable after a move.
To make this an organized and efficient process and so you don’t forget a crucial account, grab a piece of paper and make a list of places to submit a change of address. Start with the easiest accounts. Then, visit the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to update your driver’s license and vehicle registration, if required by your state.
