Congratulations on your new home!
As you settle into your fresh space, it’s crucial to have a plan in place to ensure a smooth transition. Crafting a list of tasks to tackle post-move can help you prioritize and streamline the process, allowing you to focus on creating a comfortable and welcoming environment for you and your loved ones. From unpacking essentials to setting up utilities, our guide will help you navigate the journey of making your house truly feel like home.

What To Do After You Move
1. Schedule A Deep Clean
Your first thought may be to buy cleaning supplies and deep clean your new home. You can do it yourself. Or, instead of scrubbing floors, hire a cleaning service instead. A cleaning service typically costs $40 – $50 per hour. Pricing will depend on the size of your home, your location, and the degree of cleaning you need. Interview house cleaners before deciding which company you prefer and get it scheduled before you move!
2. Unpack Your Possessions
When you have moving boxes stacked in every room in your house it can be overwhelming and you may be tempted to jump in and pull everything out of every box you see. But consider resisting that impulse. Consider creating an organized system, like putting boxes in their appropriate rooms and unpacking boxes room by room.
You can also try unpacking your most important boxes – such as the boxes with your kitchen and bathroom essentials – first. Prioritizing the rooms you use the most will help you stay organized while unpacking.
3. Set Up Safety Measures For Kids And Pets
Is your new house safe for your children and furry family members? Put up safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs, add outlet covers, secure heavy furniture to walls, keep furniture away from windows, store long electrical and window cords and lock cabinets to help keep kids and pets out.
Keep cleaners and detergents, trash bins, heavy cookware, sharp objects and dangerous packing supplies out of reach of your kids and pets.
4. Get A Security System Installed
Consider installing a home security system in your new house right away. It will give you peace of mind after moving into a new neighborhood. While researching the security system for your needs, learn all the usual costs associated with security systems. You’ll pay for the equipment, activation, installation and a monthly fee. Your costs will depend on the home security company and the level of security you require.
5. Change House Locks
Brand-new homeowners should change their house locks once they move in. You don’t know who else, besides the previous homeowner, has keys to the home. And the previous owner may have passed out copies of the keys to friends, family or neighbors. Put yourself in control of your home’s security and get new locks ASAP.
6. Test Your Smoke Detectors And HVAC System
Test your new smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and HVAC system. If there’s a problem with your detectors or HVAC system, get it checked right away. You want to know that your heating, ventilation and air conditioning work on demand. If you move in the dead of winter or the dog days of summer, you’ll want to ensure your home’s systems work.
7. Update Your Address
With everything going on when you move into your new home, updating your address at the post office might be the last thing on your mind. But head over to your local USPS office or usps.com and get your change of address done as soon as possible so you don’t miss any mail during the move. Don’t spoil your move-in experience with overdue bills because this critical step escaped you.
8. Transfer Utilities
Make sure the utilities are off at your old house. Then make sure they’re transferred or turned on at your new home. Consider researching utility providers ahead of your move to choose the right provider for you. Depending on the provider, 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 about the steps you need to take to set them up.
Prioritize setting up utilities for the following:
- Water/sewer
- Gas
- Electricity
- Refuse/trash collection (if applicable to your new home)
After you turn on service at home, a technician will come by to set up your utilities.
9. Set Up Connectivity – TV, Internet And Phone Services
Many providers bundle TV, internet and phone services. Some companies allow their customers to transfer services from one location to another, while others may require customers to cancel their services before they can set them up in their new homes. Once you’ve decided on a service provider, you can install your internet or cable yourself, or a technician will come by and do it.
10. Get A New License And Register Your Car
Once you move to a new area, it’s important to get a new driver’s license and register your car. You can’t register your car without a new license. If you moved somewhere else in your state, you can update your license through the agency that regulates motor vehicles in your state.
If you move out of state, it’s important to update your license as soon as possible. Your new state will give you a grace period of 10 – 60 days.
Before you get a new driver’s license, research online for the documents you’ll need to bring to apply for one. You may need specific identification and proof of residency. Fill out the paperwork, take any required tests and pay the required fees.
Checklists Are Important
In the whirlwind of moving, having a checklist can be a lifesaver, ensuring that no important task slips through the cracks during the transition. With Ready2Roll Moving company by your side, you can trust that every aspect of your move, from packing to settling in, will be expertly handled. Let us alleviate the stress of moving so you can focus on creating a space that truly feels like home. Whether you’re unpacking boxes or arranging furniture, our team is here to make your transition seamless and stress-free. Contact us today to experience the difference of a smooth, well-organized move with Ready2Roll Moving Company. Check us out on Facebook for updates and more!