Moving into a new home can be a surreal experience. From unboxing dozens of boxes of belongings to reorienting yourself with your new home’s layout, there are quite a number of things to sort out as you adjust to your new space.
It’s not unheard of for people to feel overwhelmed by the unpacking process. After all, you’ve probably exerted a lot of brainpower (and physical load) to bring all your stuff to your new place and planned to leave the unpacking duties for your future self to handle.
Let’s assume you’re thrust into this post-move situation right now. The unfortunate reality is that you’ll be quite exhausted and prone to forgetting crucial but necessary moving tasks following the move, especially if you’re a first-time homeowner.
As overwhelming as this post-moving process can feel, keep calm and relax. People in this camp can overcome this challenging task and settle into their new space with the right guidance.
Need this guidance? Well, look no further! We’ll provide you with a useful checklist to help you settle into your new home stress-free.
Let’s jump right into it.
Survey Your New Place and Locate Utility Switches
Once you arrive at your new home, walk through it and familiarize yourself with both the interior and the lawn. You’ve ideally already done an initial walkthrough of the house or apartment beforehand, but if you haven’t, then do so now—and be thorough with it.
When surveying your home, take note of any power points, light switches, outlets, and circuit breakers. You will end up using these in your home in the future, so make sure that you’re familiar with where they are and that everything is functioning optimally. You can also consider labeling these switches early on to make it easier for your future self to handle future electrical problems.
You should also inspect the home’s structure and patch up any areas that may be problems later on. For instance, you should take note of any mold, cracks, and cladding in the home’s interior, namely on the walls, floors, and doors. If you notice any leaks or cracks, then address them as soon as you can before formally moving in.
By thoroughly surveying your new house, you’ll be more in control of your home’s space and not encounter any surprises in the future. You’ll also be able to identify problem areas before they become major issues and have the time to address them before you formally move into the space.
Connect Your Utilities and Internet
Before settling in, you should ensure that essential utilities (i.g, electricity, gas, water, and an internet connection) are active and operational as soon as you move in.
Missed or delayed connections can be a big inconvenience for you and your family, and it can take weeks to set up if you haven’t initiated the installation process yet.
As such, as early along the moving process as possible, contact utility providers and arrange utility connections or transfers to your new space. This not only includes your utilities but also your appliances, so get an air conditioning installation booked early on before the move.
This ensures that you’ll be able to enjoy these amenities on day one—making the transition to your new space smoother and more comfortable for you and your family.
While the internet connection is less of a priority than the rest, it’s still something you should consider setting up earlier rather than later. This is especially true if you’re working remotely, are using smart home appliances, or have housemates who need it for their own obligations.
Deep Clean Your New Home
Another must-do task before you settle into your new home is giving it a deep clean.
The interior of your new home hasn’t been lived in or maintained for weeks, if not years, so removing that layer of dust and grime ensures that the inside is spotless and move-in ready from the start.
Start by wiping down the walls and shelves with a damp cloth. Mop the floors and clean the windows as well. Be sure to check behind appliances and in hard-to-reach areas and give them a thorough cleaning too.
If you don’t want to undergo the physical trouble of doing these yourself, you can always consider hiring a professional cleaning service to do the task for you. This way, your new space will feel fresh and ready to live in the moment you step inside the door on moving day.
Unpack Your Essentials
Once you or the removalists have unloaded the moving boxes in your new home, you can begin unpacking your belongings in their respective rooms.
That said, there is a strategic way to unpack to ensure that you transition smoothly during the first couple of days. This is by labeling a box as “Day one essentials” that cover your usual daily needs like toiletries, kitchen items, fresh clothes, chargers, beddings, and medications.
Besides that, you should also have a backpack with your cash and important documents with you. This way, your essential items will be close to you and readily accessible to help you feel more settled in.
Over the next few days, you can start slowly unpacking the rest of the items at your own pace. This way, your first 24 hours in your new home won’t be filled with stress worrying about everything to unpack.
Change Your Locks and Enhance Security Measures
Your peace of mind and security are things you should not overlook when you move into your new space. To guarantee your security, it’s highly recommended that you change all the exterior door locks in your new home once you move in.
It’s possible for old tenants and their associations to have spare keys—and you wouldn’t want to deal with any surprise visits in the future. As such, replace the locks of your front door, back door, and garage as soon as you settle into your new home.
Furthermore, if your exterior doors have codes, then consider updating or resetting these codes too. This will help offer long-term protection and full control of your new space.
Update Your Address and Set Up Mail Redirection
Another step you must follow through is informing essential services about your new address and location.
Some essential services you should inform include your bank, insurance provider, employer, and government offices. If you have online retail accounts, change your address to fit your new place as well.
It’s also possible for you to miss out on services or organisations that may have ahold of your old address. In such cases, you should consider setting up a mail redirection with your local post office for a few months. This way, you’ll be able to get ahold of all mail and documents from businesses you may have missed, as these things will be sent to you in your new space.
Say Hi to Your Neighbours
Once you’re settled in, take some time to introduce yourself to your neighbours. A quick introduction can help you build a connection and bring you one step closer to finding a community in your new space.
And, who knows, a simple hello could open the doors for you to learn more about your new location. Your neighbours could help recommend local services, inform you about the local rubbish disposal schedules, and give you some area-specific tips to help you adjust in your new community more smoothly.
As such, be sure to take the time to say a quick hello. You don’t have to become the best of friends—but being acquainted and exchanging numbers can be mutually beneficial for both of your households.
We hope your next move goes well!
