What Are the Most Important Things to Do After Moving to a New House? Here’s the Ultimate Checklist

Posted Moving Tips and Tricks / May 27, 2022
Hannah Michaelson

Hannah is a freelance relocation writer from NYC that has become an expert on packing and unpacking.

Relocating cross country is always a challenge, and it requires plenty of time, tips, and preparation. However, don’t kid yourself into thinking that all the hard work is over once you step into the new home. Unfortunately, there are always a few things to do after moving that you shouldn’t overlook. We have a list that will help you get everything in order – here are all the best answers to the question – what should I do after moving?

The List of Things to Do After Moving Into a New House – Here’s What You Shouldn’t Forget

After all the relocation stress you’ve experienced in the weeks leading up to your move, we’re guessing that all you want to do is sleep and reward yourself for surviving a difficult long-distance relocation. This can occur even to those who got the best relocation services available. However, the harsh truth is that there’s a lengthy list of things to do when you move into a home, and you will have to take care of them all in the first few weeks post-relocation. Although you can (technically) put them off, that won’t do you much good – so be sure to start getting everything in order.

Check If Everything in Your New Home Is in Order and Take Care of the Essentials

What is the first thing to do when moving into a new house? The second you step through the door, begin with a thorough inspection – this is some of the typical stuff people forget to do when they move. You need to make sure that everything is in order and that it’s according to your contract. If there’s something wrong, it would be best to notify your real estate agent or landlord immediately. Also, don’t forget to find a fuse box and a water valve. If you moved with pets, pet-proof the place, and if you moved with little kids, baby-proof it.

Your After Moving Checklist Should Include Making the List of Repairs

If there’s something wrong with your lovely new house, you have to note it, so you can plan repairs and add them to your relocation checklist. Depending on your budget (which probably isn’t large if this is the first time you moved out), you might have to decide which repairs are priorities. Here’s one of the essential tips to keep in mind – if you’re renting the place, you must take pictures of everything before you settle in. That way, you will have proof of the condition the place was in if there are any problems with the security deposit when you decide to move out.

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Don’t Forget to Change Your Address and Transfer Utilities If You Didn’t Do It Before Cross-Country Moving

People think that packing fragile items is the tricky part of the move, but the most common relocation mistakes have nothing to do with that. It’s actually the easiest task that people overlook, and that’s the reason why most relocations can hardly be called stress-free moves. Changing your address on the USPS website and transferring utilities with your provider are probably the easiest tasks on the list, and they only take a few minutes. Plus, the address change will cost you only $1.10, but it will save you a lot of trouble.

After Relocating With the Best Cross-Country Movers to Another Home, Always Change the Locks

You never know who had the key to your house before you bought it. The previous owner could’ve given dozens of copies to their friends, who never returned them. So, obviously, it would be a good idea to change the locks on all doors that lead to the outside. If nothing, it will help your peace of mind.

Are You Wondering What to Do After Moving in? It’s Time for a Deep Clean

Everybody cleans the home before they move out (or at least they should), but you can never be 100% sure that the previous owner was thorough and cleaned everything well. To get off to a good start with your home, you need to do a deep clean and make every corner of the place spotless. Check out the video below for some excellent tips you need to implement in your move-in cleaning routine.

Start to Unpack – It Will Take You a While, so Don’t Put This Task Off

Your to-do list was probably endless (and was hard to pack – if you didn’t contact an international moving company for packing services) – it’s hard to let go of items you owned for a long time. Even if you used all the decluttering relocation hacks, you still probably have a lot of boxes to unpack – if you didn’t book a storage service. Most people put off unpacking for weeks.

But, the important thing is that you make sure all the boxes made it safely to their destination – do this as soon as movers leave and the relocation day is over. The boxes might be able to wait for unpacking, but your furniture can’t. You can start with the unpacking process by organizing where each piece will go, then move on to smaller tasks after that.

How to Avoid Procrastinating and Unpack Easily?

Some people have trouble unpacking after exhausting a few weeks of preparations for the move and procrastinate instead of doing the work. Here are some tricks that can help you concentrate and get the job done in no time.

  • Make a playlist of upbeat, motivational songs (or use your running playlist),
  • Separate the boxes and take them into the rooms where you will unpack them,
  • Take frequent breaks – after unpacking two or three packages,
  • Make up some kind of reward that’ll wait at the end of unpacking to keep you going,
  • Set a date for the housewarming party, so that you have to finish before that day.

Lastly, Write a Review for Your Overseas Move

The best way to move efficiently is to contact excellent, trustworthy long-distance movers who will help you get through the relocation without any errors. If you have just finished with your cross-country move, make sure to write a lovely review to thank your relocation company – and give reference for those who are yet to contact movers. If you’re yet to move, you know what to do – reach out to a reliable relocation business and get your free quote.

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