New Homeowner Checklist: 6 Must-Dos Before Moving

As a first-time homeowner, you’re stepping into a world of exciting possibilities. However, this important milestone comes with new responsibilities and let’s be honest, a host of challenges.  

Before you start the whole process of moving into your first home, there are several crucial steps you should take to set yourself up for success. By tackling these essential tasks early, you’ll minimize stress and avoid potential pitfalls down the road.  

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through six must-dos to check off your list before and after moving day arrives.  

Get Your Finances in Order 

If you’ve never owned a home before, you may be unfamiliar with the host of new financial responsibilities involved. Before you begin packing, it’s crucial to get your finances in order. Start by creating a comprehensive moving budget that accounts for all potential expenses, including moving trucks, packing supplies, labor and travel to your new home. Don’t forget to factor in hidden costs like utility deposits and connection fees, new furniture and potential repairs.  

You should also establish an emergency fund for unexpected repairs, aiming to save about 1-3% of your home’s value annually. Many first-time buyers also forget to include closing costs which can range from 2%–5% of the home’s purchase price.  

Research the cost of living in your new area. This will help you adjust your budget accordingly and avoid financial surprises. Consider setting up automatic bill payments for your new address to ensure a smooth transition. Finally, notify your bank and credit card companies about your move to prevent any disruptions in service or potential fraud alerts. 

Decide How You Want to Move to Your New Home 

Are you up to the task of a self-move or would it be preferable to use the services of a professional full-service moving company like United? Either way, you’ll still have to plan ahead for moving day, especially if it’s a larger or complicated move over a long distance or you have bulky furniture and fragile items.   

Bear in mind that the cost of a professional move depends largely upon weight, distance, the number of possessions you’re moving and the services that you need. Also, moving during peak season (summer) and around holidays is generally more expensive. 

Conventional wisdom says you’ll probably save money with a DIY move. Granted, it may cost you slightly more to use a professional mover; however, you’ll get the benefit of their expertise and equipment and lessen the stress of the moving process. It’s also not an “all or nothing” scenario: professional movers like United will allow you to choose only the services that fit your needs and budget. Whatever option you decide on, getting a no-obligation quote from United will cost you nothing.  

By the way, did you know every full-service move with United includes a personal move coordinator to expertly handle any special needs or challenges, start to finish?  

Prepare for Your Moving Day

Even if your upcoming move to your new home is two or more months away, it’s never too early to   start preparing. First, get your exact move day locked in, especially if you’ll be using the services of a professional mover like United. Where do you go from there? Our week-by-week moving checklist will help keep you on track.  

Packing is probably the most labor-intensive and time-consuming task of the move. If you’ll be handling this yourself, remember that boxes won’t be the only items you’ll need. You’ll also have to secure and identify the boxes using packing tape, labels and markers. Label boxes by room and organizing important items separately for easy access.  

Cushioning is the other major part of the packing process. Be sure you have the following items: 

• Paper towels 
• Bubble wrap or plastic wrap 
• Blankets or towels 

Items like flat screen TVs travel best in the boxes they came in. Pro tip: Keep a spreadsheet of your inventory in a safe place. 

If this sounds a bit overwhelming, keep in mind that United offers packing services as part of our full-service packages. We’re more than happy to handle this job—and other moving prep work—for you.    

Manage Your Moving Day

Before Help Arrives

Whether or not you use a professional mover, there are a host of important items for which you’ll be responsible leading up to—and during—moving day:   

• Confirm the logistics (timing, address, etc.) of your move with your moving company and/or anyone helping you on move-out day. 
• If you’re renting a moving truck, check its condition thoroughly. 
• Know the weather conditions on moving day and adjust accordingly. 
• Be sure you’ve made arrangements to care for other members of your household (such as children or pets) who won’t be lending a hand. 
• Place the keys to your new home somewhere safe but accessible.  
• Make sure you have water and snacks available for anyone helping you. 
• Put together a first night box. 
• Make sure your floors are protected. 
• Take a final walk through and make sure the lights are off and doors are locked. 
• Have detailed directions to your new home and plan ahead for any overnight stays. 

If you’ve hired United or another professional moving company, you should also:   

• Provide the movers with any important information about your property and discuss any concerns you may have about the moving process.  
• Place items that should travel separately from the moving truck in your vehicle or in a designated area of your home. Let the movers know that those items are not to be packed in the moving van.  
• Be prepared to direct movers to rooms and on how to handle specific items. 
• Read and sign all paperwork.  

After Moving Day  

As a proud first-time homeowner, you’ll want to ensure your new home is ready as quickly as possible. Unpack the first night box and prioritize setting up the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom so you can settle in comfortably. Before the unpacking process starts, make sure you have these items handy:  

• Scissors   
• Markers   
• Trash bags  
• A box cutter  
• Boxes for debris   

Pro Tips: It’s a good idea to group the first four items together in a separate box so they’ll be easy to find right away. It’s also wise to have a tool kit on hand for any minor repairs or adjustments you might need to make as you settle in. And if things get a bit messy, keep in mind that United offers unpacking and debris removal.   

Getting Familiar with Your First Home

If you never owned a home before, you’ll need to gain a baseline understanding of how the various systems in your home function. Here are some things you should address right away: 

• Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.   
• Change the door locks.  
• Learn how to enable/disable any home security systems.  
• Familiarize yourself with your property’s HVAC and plumbing. 
• Find the circuit breaker and determine which switches correspond to which rooms.  
• Find the main water shutoff valve. 

The sooner you acquire a few basic DIY skills for minor fixes, the more you’ll feel “at home.” That said, know when to call professionals for more complex issues beyond your abilities. 

Shop New Home Essentials 

Aside from the absolute necessity of purchasing basic cleaning supplies, this is really one of the most enjoyable parts of first-time home ownership. Any new home represents a fresh start and here’s your chance to add your own touches, including new furniture, electronics and gaming equipment, artwork, décor items and more. 

Outfitting your new kitchen with dishes, cookware, towels, storage containers and silverware is a wonderful way to help feel more settled in. And this is the perfect time to consider purchasing major appliances such as a new refrigerator and dishwasher.  

Your new bedrooms and bathrooms are also areas where you can add your own sense of style. Consider disposing of old mattresses before leaving your former home and start off fresh with new ones—along with new bed linens, updated furniture and window treatments. Your new bathrooms will look even better with new towels, mats, curtains and accessories that coordinate with the space.  

Have fun, but be practical, too. After all, you don’t have to tackle every room in the house at once. Work within a budget you can afford and add your personal touches over time. 

Other Considerations for Your New Abode  

To wrap things up, here are some more items a first-time homeowner might overlook but will still need to take care of:  

• Homeowners Insurance: This is to protect your belongings and home from the moment you move in.  
• Home Maintenance: Create a maintenance schedule for plumbing and landscaping, as well as seasonal tasks like gutter cleaning and HVAC tune-ups. 
• Home Improvements: If you’re planning renovations in the near future, establish a realistic timeline and budget accordingly.  

Finally, consider investing in smart home technology to enhance security and energy efficiency, making your new house truly feel like home. 

Move to Your New Home Seamlessly with United Van Lines  

Now that we’ve walked you through the process, it’s easy to see how a professional full-service mover like United could play an important role in managing your transition into this exciting new chapter in your life. In the past 10 years alone, we’ve helped more than 1.2 million families make the same journey.  

Our flexible full-service moving packages have been carefully designed with customer needs in mind. Not to mention tools like the MyUnited Move Portal which features a clear and intuitive interface for all moving-related information and documentation. 

Get a moving quote from United Van Lines today.