Your Home Post-move Checklist
Updated March 4, 2016 . AmFam Team
Welcome to your new home! Whether it’s the house you’ve always dreamed of buying or a stepping stone to your next adventure, don’t let the unpacking process slow you down as you make your house your home. You can get settled in more quickly with help from this step by step moving tips checklist.
Check in With Your Utilities
One of the first things you should do upon arriving at your new home is to get in touch with your utility companies and verify that they’ve got the service under your name. If not, be sure to update your address. Here are a few other important pointers:
Contact your HOA. If you’re moving into a condo or a home with an HOA, check in with their office and learn about your agreement. Some pay for utilities to members through the monthly fee. Find out about where you can throw out the trash and get parking permits if they’re required.
Find the cut-off mains for your utilities. Look around for the electric, water and gas mains and verify that they’re working correctly.
Contact your local internet and broadband provider. Let them know you’ve arrived and schedule a time for installation. If you need internet service in the meantime, you may be able to turn your phone into a mobile hot spot.
Prioritize Your Unpacking
If you hired a moving company, they probably left you an inventory of everything that was moved. Check that list and verify that no items were damaged or missing before they leave. Because it’s hard to know what to unpack first, we’ve got a list of unpacking tips to take on while the movers are getting things unloaded:
Order lunch. Before you get too busy, pick up or order lunch to make sure everyone is fed and fueled.
Clean your floors, walls and windows. Once new furnishings go in, it’s hard to catch up on this one.
Wipe down furniture. To help your kids feel at home more quickly, get them involved in unpacking. Assign a volunteer to dust and clean all furniture as it comes off the truck.
Work with the movers. Tell them where you want furniture to go and have them stack moving boxes along one wall in the correct room.
Clean the kitchen. Wipe out refrigerators and the pantry, then unpack the food. Line the shelves in your kitchen and unpack your silverware, dishes, glasses and pots and pans.
Clean as you go. Use a big box to hold broken-down boxes and recyclables and place a few trash bags on door handles to keep the mess down.
Make beds and unpack bathrooms. Showering and sleeping in your own bed will help you feel grounded later. Make sure you keep track of your shower curtain and linens for the kid’s rooms after they’re unloaded.
Think fire safety now. Locate the fire extinguishers and review the new fire escape plan with your family. Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors throughout the home.
How to Unpack After Moving Homes
In the days that follow moving day, it’s important to stay organized during the unpacking process. Here are some good ideas that can help you manage unpacking after a move.
Start in the living spaces you’ll need most. Get the kitchen, living room and dining room unpacked and arranged to provide a sense of stability in the heart of your home.
Set up your tech. Get your computer, televisions, telephones and smart home security systems plugged in and connected to your home network.
Break down the boxes. Take a few minutes and get the important items out of key boxes on a room-by-room basis. This will help keep your rooms in order during the transition.
Call a locksmith. It’s a good idea to replace the locks, since you can’t be sure who’s got a copy of your keys.
How to Make a New House Your Home
After most of the boxes are unpacked, it’s time to decorate and put those finishing touches on your new place.
Set up a tour of your children’s new school. Help them feel more comfortable by meeting teachers, finding the library, gym and school office.
Hang window coverings. Installing window treatments will help you and your family feel more secure.
Run the errands. Get a library card, licenses for pets and register to vote.
Get to the DMV. Update the address on your driver’s license.
Maintain the exterior. Mow the lawn and assess the outside of your home for any needed upkeep, especially if it’s been vacant for a while.
Decorate with memories. Get images printed and framed to keep the photos up-to-date.
Get rid of empty boxes. Consider using social media to advertise. People are always on the hunt for boxes.
Get deep into the items that were left in the garage and make sense of the mess while you have time.
And just like that, you’re well on your way to settling in. As you’re unpacking and getting adjusted to your new home and neighborhood, remember to reach out to your American Family Insurance agent (Opens in a new tab). They’re a wealth of information on getting you a custom-designed policy that fits your needs and your new home perfectly.
Related Articles
- 9 Steps to Create a Home Inventory for Insurance Claims
Your home is more than a roof over your head. It’s where your dreams grow, your family thrives and memories are made. But the possessions you keep inside are important, too.
Whether you’re renting an apartment or own your home, you’ve most likely got an insurance policy designed to protect your dwelling and the things inside. Should the unthinkable happen and you have to use that insurance policy, it’s important to have a plan in place. And a home inventory list is a great way to get started!
We’ll walk you through how to create a home inventory so — in the event of the unexpected — you’ll be more prepared and have a streamlined recovery.
What Is a Home Inventory?
Quite simply, a home inventory is a complete list of all the items, especially valuables, in and around your home. The best home inventories include photos, descriptions and dollar values of each of your belongings. The more detail, the better! It’ll help you provide a comprehensive list to your agent of items lost in the event your home is damaged or destroyed, allowing you to get the most out of your coverage.
When your describing the items in your list, remember that the more information, the better. Here’s a quick reference list of the type of information you should include in your home inventory list:
- An in-depth description of the items. For example, rather than writing down “diamond ring,” be more descriptive, such as: “an emerald cut diamond ring, with white gold shank, accent stones and initials inscribed below the bridge.”
- Make, model, and/or serial number of the items.
- Date of purchase, receipts and photos.
- Estimated replacement cost if you bought it today. Do note that the value of the items might be different today than it was when you first bought them. This is especially true with jewelry, and other valuables.
- Appraisals at time of purchase. Especially if your items were appraised for insurance purposes.
Why Do I Need a Home Inventory?
Whether you’re a homeowner or a renter, everyone can benefit from a home inventory!
If you ever have to make a claim, a home inventory is a great asset to have, especially after stressful events like theft, storm damage or a fire (take a look at how one renter used their home inventory after facing an apartment fire).
When you make a claim, you typically submit information on everything that was lost — which can be difficult to do off the top of your head for all your possessions. Remembering to replace your TV or computer are no-brainers, but when it comes to remembering each piece of jewelry in your jewelry box, things tend to get overlooked. Having a personal property inventory will help, along with knowing how to properly insure your jewelry.
When you have your home inventory checklist, you know exactly what needs to be replaced, and you’ll have peace of mind knowing your entire household is protected.
- Reasons Why a Roof Leaks
You’re admiring the rain from the comfort of your home when you notice a sound — the unmistakable drip of water dropping onto your floor. The first and hardest step is figuring out why your roof is leaking. And with these tips, you’ll find the culprit in no time!
Here’s Why Your Roof Is Leaking
The list of reasons why your roof is leaking may seem long, but don’t worry — when it comes to finding the leak and fixing it, the finding is the hardest part. And the good thing about these problems? They can all be fixed. Check out the list and see what’s troubling your roof:
Your roof is old
Roofs don’t last forever. Protecting your home and everything inside it from the elements comes with a cost. And with all that rain, snow, ice, wind and even sunlight wearing down your roof, it becomes more susceptible to leaks. Every roof will eventually need to be replaced, so learn more about how long your roof should last based on what it’s made of.
- How to Check Your Roof for Storm Damage
There’s no good time to find out your roof needs repair — but you may be able to mitigate that pain by routinely checking your roof for damage after severe weather. Waiting for a leak or damage to present itself gives the problem time to grow and worsen.
And sometimes, you’ll be faced with expensive roof and interior damage repairs if you’re not diligent. By being proactive and checking your roof for damage after severe weather hits can help your roof — and your savings — stay healthy.
