Moving Into a New House: What to Buy Now, What Can Wait, and What to Check First

The phased move-in sequence: 2 weeks · move day · 24 hours · 30 days

1. Two weeks before

   Book movers on three written quotes for the same inventory, file the USPS change of address through the official Movers Guide, notify employer, bank, insurer and DMV, schedule each utility transfer individually, and book any gas appliance disconnect.

2. One week before

   Confirm mover timing and which valuation coverage you actually bought, pack a first-72-hours box that rides in your car, photograph cable layouts, defrost the freezer, and lock down childcare or petcare for move day.

3. Move day

   Walk and photograph every emptied room, read and photograph the utility meters at both addresses, verify the mover inventory list at load and unload, and keep keys, IDs, closing documents and valuables on your person.

4. First 24 hours

   Rekey every exterior lock, locate and label the main water shut-off and verify it closes, label the electrical panel yourself, ask the gas utility about the meter and its shut-off instructions, test every smoke and CO alarm, and check the HVAC filter size.

5. Week one

   Deep clean before unpacking, run every appliance through a full cycle and check for leaks, walk the property line, and check your county assessor for a homestead exemption and its filing deadline.

6. Month one, then the first year

   Confirm the policy shows the new address, automate mortgage, utilities and escrow, take baseline condition photos, open a home reserve account, book the HVAC tune-up, and start the home file. From there you continue in the first-year plan.

The complete 36-item moving checklist

Use the checklist on this page. Progress stays in this browser; the printable PDF downloads on this device after email entry.

2 weeks before move

• Schedule the moving company (or rental truck)

  Month-end and summer Saturdays are peak dates in many markets and can book out well in advance, so call early and ask each company how far out they are. Get 3 written quotes for the same inventory so you are comparing the same job.

• File USPS change of address (mail forwarding)

  File through the official USPS Movers Guide (moversguide.usps.com). Third-party sites charge for the same service. Allow time for forwarding to activate, so file around the 2-week mark.

• Notify employer, bank, insurance, and DMV of address change

  Deadlines vary by state — check your DMV. Your insurance address of record affects auto and homeowners rates and claim handling.

• Set up utility transfer for move-in day

  Electric, gas, water, internet — confirm the start date with each provider individually; lead times and same-day activation rules differ. Get the scheduled start in writing.

• Order moving supplies + labels

  Boxes (S/M/L), packing paper, tape, markers, color labels. Order more than you think; unused boxes are usually returnable, a mid-pack supply run is not free.

• Schedule appliance disconnect (fridge, washer, dryer, gas range)

  Gas appliance disconnect and reconnect should be left to your utility or a licensed professional — check the rule that applies where you live. Schedule it for moving-day morning.

1 week before move

• Confirm moving company time + insurance valuation

  For interstate moves, carriers must offer both released-value protection (priced by weight, not by what the item is worth) and full-value protection. Confirm in writing which one you bought.

• Pack a 'first 72 hours' box (clearly labeled)

  Toilet paper, soap, towels, phone chargers, coffee maker + filter, basic tools, prescriptions, change of clothes per person. This box rides in your car, not the truck.

• Take photos of electronics + cable layouts before unplugging

  10 seconds per device saves an hour of reassembly. Photograph the back of the TV, router, and entertainment center.

• Empty + defrost the freezer

  Many manufacturers ask you to let a refrigerator stand upright for a period before plugging it back in — check your model's manual for the exact guidance. Defrosting prevents water damage in transit.

• Confirm childcare/petcare for move day

  Keeping kids and pets out of the house on move day keeps walkways clear and doors closed, which makes the day easier for everyone. Lock down by the 1-week mark.

• Withdraw cash for movers' tip

  Tipping is customary and discretionary. Decide your number before move day, bring it in cash, and plan on water and lunch for the crew.

Day of move

• Do a final empty-room walk before locking up

  Closets, attic, basement, garage, behind doors. Photograph each empty room — proves condition for security deposit (rental) or any post-close disputes.

• Read + photograph all utility meters at both addresses

  Electric, gas, water. Proves your billing start date. Send to utility company same day.

• Verify mover inventory list matches what's loaded

  Movers list every box and item before loading. Cross-check at unloading. Anything missing from the list at delivery = your claim.

• Keep keys, IDs, closing docs, and valuables on your person

  Not in any box. Includes jewelry, hard drives, passports, prescription meds, and the closing packet.

First 24 hours in the new home

• Change every exterior lock (or rekey)

  Don't wait — you don't know who has copies. Rekeying is usually faster and cheaper than replacing hardware; get a local quote.

• Locate the main water shutoff + label it

  Usually in basement, crawl space, or near the water heater. Label with bright tape. Test that it actually turns the water off.

• Locate the main electrical panel + label every breaker

  Walk the house with a partner; one flips, one verifies. Assume the existing labels are wrong until you have confirmed each one yourself.

• Locate the gas shutoff (and the wrench for it)

  Find the meter, then contact your gas utility for the equipment and instructions that apply to it. Do not practise shutting off or restarting gas yourself. If you ever smell gas or suspect a leak, leave the building and call your utility or emergency services from a safe place.

• Test every smoke + CO detector; replace batteries

  Most jurisdictions require CO alarms outside sleeping areas — check your local code. Alarms have a manufacturer expiry printed on the back; replace expired units.

• Locate the HVAC filter + check its condition

  Sellers rarely change the filter before moving out. Note the exact size and type, then follow the equipment and filter manufacturer instructions for how often to change it, and inspect it more often if the system runs hard or the house is dusty.

• Set up the security system (or remove the old one)

  If keeping the old provider, transfer the account same day. If not, decommission the old hardware so it stops sending false alarms.

• Confirm internet works + change the WiFi network name + password

  Change the default router administrator password and set a strong, unique Wi-Fi password. Use WPA3 if your router supports it, otherwise WPA2, and keep the router firmware updated (FTC guidance on securing a home Wi-Fi network).

First week

• Deep clean before unpacking the kitchen + bedrooms

  Inside of cabinets, behind appliances, inside the dishwasher. Far easier with no furniture in the way.

• Run every appliance through one full cycle + check for leaks

  Washer, dishwasher, fridge ice maker. Look under the sink and behind the unit after each cycle. Catch a slow leak in week 1, not month 3.

• Walk the property line + check fence/yard condition

  Walk the yard for fence damage, drainage problems and trees in poor condition. A walk does not establish where your boundary runs — check the survey, plat and title documents you received, and use a licensed surveyor or your attorney for anything boundary-related.

• Meet immediate neighbors (or at least introduce yourself)

  Neighbors are your earliest warning system on package theft, suspicious activity, and HOA quirks. Worth 10 minutes.

• Check homestead exemption eligibility and the local deadline

  Eligibility, deadlines and application rules vary by location. Check your local assessor or property appraiser for the rules and filing deadline that apply to your new home.

• Update voter registration + driver's license

  Some states require both within 30 days. Voter registration also acts as proof of residency for school enrollment.

First month

• Verify your homeowners policy actually covers the new home (not the old)

  If you refinanced or switched carriers, double-check the binder shows the new address as primary. Email proof of coverage to lender.

• Set up auto-pay for mortgage + utilities + property tax escrow

  Your first mortgage payment is usually not due the month you close — confirm the exact date on your closing documents and automate it.

• Take a 'baseline condition' photo set of every room

  Time-stamped photos of every wall, floor, ceiling. Insurance claims and any future warranty disputes ride on these.

• Build your home reserve fund (1–3% of home value annually)

  A widely used planning rule is 1–3% of home value per year set aside for maintenance and repairs. On a $400K home that is $4K–$12K/year. Treat it as a planning target, not a guarantee.

• Schedule HVAC tune-up + chimney inspection (if applicable)

  A pre-purchase inspection is not maintenance. A full HVAC service in month 1 establishes a baseline and resets your service interval. Price varies by market and system.

• Start the 'home file' — closing docs, manuals, warranties, paint colors

  Digital folder + 1 physical binder. Future you (refinancing, repairing, selling) will need every document in this folder.

Sources & methodology — how to use this checklist

This checklist is HomeScore editorial guidance built from the day-one sequence used by inspectors, locksmiths and HVAC technicians, not a survey of homeowners. Any dollar figures are planning ranges rather than quotes: labor rates, permit rules, DMV and homestead deadlines and utility lead times are set locally and must be confirmed for your address.

• USPS Official Movers Guide — change of address
• FMCSA Protect Your Move — mover licensing and valuation coverage
• HomeScore cost methodology

Part of the First-Year Homeowner Plan

• First-Year Homeowner Plan — the hub this checklist belongs to
• What to do after closing
• Month-by-month maintenance schedule
• Closing day checklist
• Repair and replacement cost guides

Moving-in questions