Moving-In Checklist: What to Do After You Move

By
Diane Schmidt
Diane Schmidt

Diane E. Schmidt is a moving expert who writes from experience; she has moved over 28 times and has lived in four countries, 10 cities, two towns, and a coastal village.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 07/19/20
Moving boxes in modern living room in a new home.
Halfpoint Images / Getty Images

Once you've made the physical move to a new house or apartment, it's time to get things in order for the next--and final--phase of the move. To make sure you don't miss anything important, start with a checklist to help set your priorities and keep track of the tasks that lie ahead. These may include everything from setting up utilities and noting local emergency numbers to final accounting of your moving expenses.

  • 01 of 10

    Clean Your New Space Before You Unpack

    Moving Day

    CAP53/Getty Images

    Whether your new home is an apartment, an old home, or a brand-new house, one of the best ways to make it feel like it's truly yours is to give it a thorough cleaning. If possible, clean everything--especially the kitchen and bathrooms--before you start unpacking.

  • 02 of 10

    Arrange the Furniture

    Couple moving sofa together
    PhotoAlto/Sigrid Olsson / Getty Images

    One of the great things about moving is the chance to start over in a new place, and by using floor plans, you can create a unique space that works well for you. With the help of some great online tools, creating that perfect new space is even easier. If you can learn in advance what the layout of your new home will be, you can plan the furniture arrangement before you move to make sure everything will fit.

  • 03 of 10

    Start Unpacking!

    African couple unpacking box
    Mark Edward Atkinson / Getty Images

    If you're like most people and you really don't like to unpack, then getting all that stuff out of boxes can be a nightmare. So it`s a good idea to create a plan to get it done; otherwise, it may never get done. You'll end up having to sort through boxes six months from now. The first rule of thumb, then, is to get organized.

  • 04 of 10

    Organize Your Closets

    Katarina-Novakova-2016-09-29-domace, Samuel-Novak-2016-09-29-domace
    Martin Novak / Getty Images

    When you finally arrive in your new home, there's that initial excitement and relief that the hardest part of the move is over. But this enthusiasm can take a downturn when you survey your surroundings and see nothing but boxes, endless boxes! The solution? Start organizing, bit by bit. If necessary, run out to the nearest home store to purchase closet organizers, racks, and storage bins. You'll feel better with each item put into its new place.

    Continue to 5 of 10 below.
  • 05 of 10

    Set Up Utilities and Services

    couple sitting on floor in their new, empty house
    Kathrin Ziegler / Getty Images

    Moving to a new city, town, state/province, or country means setting up utilities in another area where your current suppliers may not provide service. If this is the case, disconnecting and reconnecting utilities can take a bit of time and juggling to ensure that your lights, heat, and other services are functioning. Make a list of all utilities and services you had at your previous location to help you keep track of services you still need to sign up for.

  • 06 of 10

    Make a List of Emergency Numbers

    Close up of female writing in diary
    Zero Creatives / Getty Images

    The point of an emergency contact list is that it's there when you need it. Now that you're in a new location, you need a new list with local phone numbers and addresses for the police department, nearby hospitals, the fire department, and other emergency services. Don't wait until you need them in a hurry.

  • 07 of 10

    Collect Your Moving Receipts

    Couple reviewing their finances
    PhotoAlto/Sigrid Olsson / Getty Images

    For any home move, it`s a good idea to keep all of your receipts for moving expenses, just in case you`re able to write off your move. If you haven`t done that yet, now`s the time to gather your receipts and documentation and make notes about what each item is for as wall as any additional information that may be helpful at tax time.

  • 08 of 10

    Take Inventory as You Unpack

    Close up of woman writing
    Zero Creatives / Getty Images

    An important step in unpacking, and one that is often overlooked, is to take a home inventory. You want to make sure that all your items made it to your new place without damage or loss. This is particularly important if you hired movers and may need to make a claim for lost or damaged property.

    Continue to 9 of 10 below.
  • 09 of 10

    File an Insurance Claim

    Bad packing
    runamock / Getty Images

    If you purchased moving insurance, and some of your items are missing or damaged, you should submit a claim as soon as possible. Under most moving contracts, the mover must acknowledge receipt of a damage claim within 30 days, and they usually have four months to either deny the claim or offer a settlement. In the meantime, there may be a limit for how much time you have to get the issue resolved.

  • 10 of 10

    Lodge a Complaint With Movers

    Movers carrying sofa to new home
    Resolution Productions / Getty Images

    If you had problems with your movers, it's a good idea to lodge a formal complaint. This not only helps ensure that the company responds to your problem, it will also help others who are in the same situation as you by informing them of your complaint.

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