New Homeowner Checklist: Before, During, and After Your Move

You have several tasks to complete before moving into a new home, including setting up utilities, registering a change of address, and securing home insurance.

Danny Smith
Written byDanny Smith
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Danny Smith
  • Licensed auto and home insurance agent

  • 4+ years in content creation and marketing

As Insurify’s home and pet insurance editor, Danny also specializes in auto insurance. His goal is to help consumers navigate the complex world of insurance buying.

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Katie Powers
Edited byKatie Powers
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Katie PowersAuto and Life Insurance Editor
  • Licensed auto and home insurance agent

  • 3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing

Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.

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Updated October 4, 2024

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Moving into a new home can be an exciting yet challenging process for new homeowners. From coordinating the moving trucks to setting up your new utilities and dealing with any lost or broken items, you may face a variety of issues on your moving day.

But you also have plenty to look forward to. You’ll get to create a new personal space for you and your family. It’s important to stay organized and have a plan in advance.

Here’s a comprehensive checklist of everything you should do when moving to a new home, including finding homeowners insurance.

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New homeowner checklist: What to do before move-in day

Before you move, you’ll need to take care of some things. Make sure you schedule your new home’s utilities, change your address, and secure homeowners insurance. Taking care of these tasks ahead of time will make the move-in process much less stressful.

Here’s a breakdown of each task you need to complete.

Set up utilities

You should transfer your utility services as soon as possible so you don’t go without basic comforts. Contact your electric, gas, water, sewer, and internet service providers to make sure you’re good to go for day one.

You may be able to simply change your address with your current utility provider, but if you’re moving to a new city or state, you might need a new provider or service altogether.

Utility companies typically make these services straightforward to change, but it does take time — time that you don’t want to waste on moving day. Taking care of it ahead of time helps you make sure your move to your new home is as seamless and stress-free as possible.[1]

Change your address

Changing your address is one of the most important things you need to do when you move. It ensures you receive important mail, such as bills and tax documents.

Make sure you notify the following services of your address change:

  • Post office

  • Bank

  • Credit card companies

  • Healthcare (doctor, dentist, ophthalmologist, and more)

  • Insurance company

  • Employer

  • DMV

Think about any other services or important institutions in your life that may need to know your new address.

Good to Know

To cover all your bases, you can submit a change-of-address request with the U.S. Postal Service so that any mail from services that don’t know about your address change is rerouted to your new mailing address.[2]

Secure your homeowners insurance

If you haven’t already bought home insurance while securing your mortgage, you’ll want to buy a policy right away. While states don’t legally require home insurance, having coverage is essential to protecting your new home. It covers damages from perils like fire, theft, and natural disasters. Without home insurance, these types of damages can be extremely costly.

Knowing how to buy homeowners insurance is important. No matter what coverage levels you’re looking for, always compare home insurance quotes from multiple insurance companies before deciding.[3] Make sure the policy you choose covers both your structure and personal property thoroughly.

Set up your emergency fund

It’s crucial to have an emergency fund — especially when moving, as unexpected costs can and often arise during the moving process. A good rule of thumb is to set aside three to six months’ worth of living expenses. Doing so ensures that you can handle most sudden financial strains that can happen when moving.

Get packing

Now for the most important part: packing.

If you’re worried about handling the job on your own, consider hiring a moving company to do it for you. If you’re particular about how you want your items packed, you can pack everything into boxes yourself and have the movers take it from there. Or, if you’re less concerned about how items are packed, movers can often complete that for you, too.

Hiring movers is an added expense, but you’ll be able to breathe easy knowing that they can complete the job for you. You can schedule them ahead of time to come on your move-in date so you don’t have to worry about availability.

If you’re planning on doing all the packing yourself, make sure to create a thorough inventory list and have your family members check the list for anything you may have missed. Once you’ve got your list, make sure to pack things in separate boxes with related items. For example, unpacking your toiletries will be much easier at your new home if you pack them all in the same box.

Move-in day checklist for new homeowners

Move-in day is typically the most stressful part of the moving process. You’ll be loading everything into the truck, saying goodbye to your old home, driving, deep cleaning your new home, and setting up all your new furniture and services. It’s a big day, and you’ll want to stay organized to make it go as smoothly as possible.

Change the locks

One of the most important things you’ll want to do on move-in day is change your locks. This will ensure that only you and your family have access to your new home.

You can change the locks yourself, but often it’s easier to hire a professional locksmith. Professionals can do the job much more quickly and properly, saving you from spending precious time doing it.

Check your home’s safety essentials

It’s crucial that you make sure your new home is safe to protect your family. Check the following to make sure they all work, and procure any items from this list that you don’t have:

  • Smoke detectors/carbon dioxide alarms: It’s important to make sure your smoke and carbon dioxide alarms are in proper working order.

  • Carbon monoxide detectors: These detectors help keep you safe, so test the batteries when you move in.

  • Fire extinguishers: Make sure you have non-expired fire extinguishers. If your home doesn’t have any, buy at least two and put one in or near the kitchen.

  • Windows and doors: Check that all the windows and doors close and lock properly. If they don’t, hire a locksmith to fix them.

It’s also worth considering installing a home security system for added protection.

Check your home’s essential systems

Finally, make sure all your home’s essential systems are functioning properly. Check the electric panel (circuit breaker), water heater, furnace, radiators, and air conditioning units to make sure they’re all in working order.

If the systems are new to you, spend some time to make sure you know how they work. You can always hire a relevant professional to come take a look for you and show you the essentials.

Checklist for post-move-in tasks

Once you’ve moved, you still have some tasks you need to take care of, like unpacking everything, setting up your furniture, and decorating. You may also need to handle some minor repairs. Balancing these tasks while acclimating to your new home can be challenging, but in the end, it’s worth the reward.

Update car registration, license, and insurance

Once you settle in, you’ll need to update your driver’s license and registration with your new address information. Many states have strict deadlines you’ll need to adhere to. If you don’t, you might have to pay a fine.

Your move will also likely affect your car insurance rates. It’s important to tell your insurer that you’ve moved, as it calculates your risk and premium partly based on where you live. Failing to do so could result in denied claims and even canceled policies.

Learn More: Homeowners Insurance Guide for First-Time Homebuyers

Learn More: Homeowners Insurance Guide for First-Time Homebuyers

Make emergency plans

It’s important to have an emergency response plan in place to ensure your family is safe during a crisis like a fire or natural disaster. You’ll want to make sure everyone in your new home knows what to do and where to go in the event of one of these crises.

Set escape routes and establish a meeting point outside your home. Also, make sure everyone in your home knows how to use a fire extinguisher.

Create a home filing system

Another important thing you should do once you settle in is create a filing system to keep all your important documents handy and organized.

Include the following documents in your filing system:

  • Proof of ownership

  • Mortgage agreement

  • Home insurance policy

  • History of maintenance and repairs

  • Warranties for appliances

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Start a home maintenance checklist

Owning a home is a consistent, ongoing expense. You’ll never reach a point where you don’t have to do any more home maintenance tasks. Homes require regular maintenance to stay in top shape. Failing to take care of your home can result in costly repairs, safety hazards, and even reduced property value in some cases.

Create a home maintenance checklist or to-do list to keep all your important upkeep tasks in order. Be sure to include the following:

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/150x150/ef76aca096/house-rental-96x96-green_017-maintenance.svg

    Roof inspections

    Best done in the fall, a roof inspection ensures your roof doesn’t have any leaks before the winter.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/150x150/44aca56dd6/jobs-and-professions-96x96-yellow_013-constructor.svg

    Gutter cleaning

    It’s also best to complete this task in the fall to prevent a buildup of leaves or debris from damaging your gutters.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/435ffd976a/freezing-of-appliances-or-hvac.svg

    HVAC system checkups

    You should complete these checkups during the spring and fall, right before the seasons when the systems will see the most use.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/150x150/44184f94a4/renewable-energy-96x96-orange_017-gas.svg

    Winterization

    Complete this in the fall to ensure your heating systems and pipes are in good enough shape to make it through the winter.

If you’re unsure exactly what maintenance your home needs, it’s a good idea to have a contractor come by the house for a general home inspection. They should be able to recommend important maintenance tasks.

New homeowner checklist FAQs

The following information can help answer your remaining questions about being a new homeowner.

  • What’s the first thing to do when moving into a new house?

    The first thing you should do when moving into a new house is change the locks so only you and your family have access. This ensures the previous owner can’t use the old keys to access your home.

  • How do you set up a new house?

    First, inspect the house for any potential repairs and make sure the utilities are active and working. Then, you can begin to set up your essentials and furniture.

  • What should you bring to a new house?

    Bring all your essentials to your new home, including important identification, ownership, and insurance documents. Moving is often a good opportunity to sell or leave behind unused items from your previous home.

  • What items should you put in the garage?

    You should put outdoor and seasonal equipment in the garage. It’s best to store items like lawnmowers, tools, sports equipment, and even holiday decorations in the garage.

Sources

  1. Moving.com. "How to Transfer Utilities When Moving."
  2. United States Postal Service. "Standard Forward Mail & Change of Address."
  3. Insurance Information Institute. "How to save money on your homeowners insurance."
Danny Smith
Danny Smith

Danny is a Brooklyn-based writer with a producer’s license for property and casualty insurance. A former editor at Insurify, he specializes in auto, home, and pet insurance. He works to translate his insurance expertise into digestible, easy-to-understand content for drivers, homeowners, and pet owners alike.

Danny has been a contributor at Insurify since March 2022.

Katie Powers
Edited byKatie PowersAuto and Life Insurance Editor
Photo of an Insurify author
Katie PowersAuto and Life Insurance Editor
  • Licensed auto and home insurance agent

  • 3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing

Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.

Featured in

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