Unpacking isn’t the only move-in day task to perform. There are some important things to do first! Follow this guide to understand the things to do immediately when moving into a new home.
Do a walkthrough of the home
Before you bring boxes inside your house, performing a walkthrough of the empty space is best. Make sure the house is free of debris and pests. Furthermore, check outlets and light switches to ensure that they work. Essentially, you want to check the home’s unfiltered state and ensure it meets your standards.
Check the utilities
On move-in day, check all your utilities and ensure that they’re functioning correctly. Heating, cooling water, electricity, and gas are all essential components of your home. Therefore, you must verify that they work.
If you experience a mishap like waking up to no running water, that’s a sign you need to hire a plumbing professional because you may have water main problems.
It’s best to address issues early because utility problems can get worse over time and damage your home.
Set up a security system
Changing your locks is a good practice for anyone moving into a new home. You may also want to set up a security system. Installing alarms, cameras, and sensors adds a layer of protection to your space.
New technology allows you to view cameras through your smartphone so you can watch your home at any time of day.
Child or pet-proof the space
Another thing to do when moving into a new home is to child- or pet-proof the space.
It’s important to protect your child or pet from safety hazards inside the home, especially ones that are within arm’s reach.
Covering outlets, tamper-proofing knobs, and putting locks on lower cabinets are a few things you can do. Additionally, checking the home for loose wiring is also helpful in protecting children or pets from electrical shocks.
Update your address
You receive bills, subscriptions, and other types of important mail to your home. Since you’re in a new space, it’s critical to update your address.
Set up an address change with your post office and make sure your job, family, and friends know the location of your new home. You don’t want any slip-ups where the post office sends packages to your old address.
Stay on the safe side and update your location within a few days of moving.
