Things to Do After Moving Into Your New Home: A Comprehensive Guide
Moving into a new home is an exciting milestone, but it can also be overwhelming. Once the moving trucks are gone and the boxes are inside, it’s time to settle in and make your new house feel like home. To take away the stress of wondering what needs to be done, here’s a comprehensive guide on what to do after moving.
Unpack Essentials First
After moving, the first thing you should do is unpack the essentials. This includes items you need for daily living such as toiletries, a few sets of clothes, kitchen necessities, and basic tools. Prioritizing these items will help you function smoothly in your new space while you gradually unpack the rest. You should have an ‘open first kit’ prepared before your move. Check out our Before You Move blog post if you are still in that part of the process.
Check All Utilities
Upon moving in, make sure you test all fixtures, appliances, and alarm systems on the first day. Turn on the taps, faucets, laundry machines, and any other appliances that have been left for you. Ensure all your utilities—electricity, water, gas, heating, cooling, internet, and phone—are working correctly. Contact your realtor and service providers immediately if you encounter any issues. After moving, the last thing you want is to be without essential services.
Change Your Locks
After moving, it’s a good practice to ensure that you and your family are the only ones with access to your new home. Check to ensure keys, garage door remotes, and mail keys have been left for you. For added security, consider changing the locks on all exterior doors. You never know how many copies of the keys the previous owners might have had.
Inspect and Clean
Before you start settling in, conduct a thorough inspection of your new home. Look for any signs of damage or areas that need repair and alert your realtor if you find anything. It’s also a good idea to give your new place a deep clean, even if the previous owners or renters claimed they did. After moving, cleaning helps you start fresh and feel more comfortable in your new environment.
Set Up Safety Measures
After moving, ensuring your home’s safety should be a top priority. This is a great time to change the batteries in alarms like smoke detectors & carbon monoxide detectors to ensure you will be protected. Install smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers in key areas of your home if they are not already there. Familiarize yourself with the emergency exits and make sure your family knows the emergency plan.
Update Your Address
Notify the necessary parties of your change of address if you have not already. This includes the postal service, banks, credit card companies, insurance providers, and any subscriptions you might have. Also, inform friends and family of your new address. As an extra step, Canada Post offers mail forwarding for 3 months to make sure those less frequent bills, cheques, and statements can make their way to you. Speaking of Canada Post, if you collect your mail from a Superbox, you should contact them to change the lock in case former owners have kept a key for themselves. After moving, updating your address ensures you don’t miss any important mail.
Meet Your Neighbors
After moving, having friendly faces around can significantly enhance your settling-in experience. Take some time to introduce yourself to your neighbors. Building good relationships with those around you can create a supportive community and make you feel more at home.
Decorate and Personalize
One of our favourite parts about moving has to be that you now have a blank canvas to design how you want. Start decorating and personalizing your new home to reflect your style and taste. Hang up pictures, arrange your furniture, and add any decorative touches that make the space feel like yours. After moving, creating a familiar and comfortable environment will help you feel settled more quickly. Need some help? Our in-house interior design team, Studio K, would be happy to lend a hand.
Explore the Neighborhood
Get to know your new neighborhood. Explore local shops, restaurants, parks, and other amenities. Familiarizing yourself with your surroundings will help you feel more at ease and connected to your new community. Becoming acquainted with your area can enhance your living experience after moving.
Plan a Housewarming Party
Once you’re settled, consider hosting a housewarming party. Invite friends, family, and new neighbors to celebrate your new home. Sharing your space with loved ones after moving can create lasting memories and solidify your sense of home.
Organize Your Documents
Finally, organize all your important documents related to your move. This includes your moving contract, utility setup confirmations, and any new home purchase or rental paperwork. After moving, keeping these documents in order will be helpful for future reference.
Moving into a new home is just the beginning of an exciting new chapter. By following these steps after moving, you’ll ensure a smooth transition and start creating a space where you can truly thrive. Of course, taking time to relax and enjoy your new place is always our favourite part, and most crucial after all the stress moving can bring. Enjoy getting to know your new neighbourhood and the thrills of becoming a homeowner. Welcome to your new home!