Moving Into a New House Checklist
The phased move-in sequence: 2 weeks · move day · 24 hours · 30 days
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.
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.
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.
First 24 hours
Rekey every exterior lock, locate and label the main water shut-off and verify it closes, label the electrical panel yourself, find the gas shut-off and its wrench, test every smoke and CO alarm, and check the HVAC filter size.
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.
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.
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.
Part of the First-Year Homeowner Plan
Moving-in questions
What should I do first when moving into a new house?
Six things in the first 24 hours: rekey every exterior lock, locate the main water shut-off, label the electrical panel, find the gas shut-off, test every smoke and CO alarm, and check the HVAC filter. None require a contractor.
How far in advance should I plan a move?
Start at least two weeks out for movers, USPS change of address, utility transfers and address updates. Month-end and summer Saturdays are peak dates in most markets, so give yourself closer to four weeks on one of those.
What is the most overlooked move-in task?
Locating and labeling the main water shut-off, and verifying it actually closes. Supply-line, ice-maker and washer-hose failures are common and expensive claims, and response speed decides the size of the repair.