We cover steps you need to take when unpacking after a big time move. We created a user-friendly checklist to make things doable in small chunks.
Why stress when you can just prepare ahead of time? Don’t procrastinate is they key element here as when you leave boxes in the corner to unpack on a rainy day, you keep your home feeling like a work in progress.
A Post-Move Checklist & Helpful Tips
Congratulations on finishing your move from all of us at Pricing Van Lines! Now that you’re starting to be all settled in your new home, it’s time to focus on making your space feel comfortable and your own.
Moving can be a whirlwind and feel like you’ll never have an end in sight, but once the boxes are unpacked, there are some essential tasks to handle that you might overlook. Below is a checklist of things to do after your move to help you over this hurdle.
1. Inspect Your New Home:
- Walk through the property and check for any damage before and also during the move.
- Test all outlets, appliances, faucets, and lights to ensure everything is functioning. Check water pressure in the showers, taps and toilets for flushing.
- Look for potential safety hazards like loose railings, glass issues, bad wiring, or water leaks by the windows.
- If you find any faults, it may still be at responsibility of the former owners so see where the fault lies and discuss openly.
2. Set Up Utilities:
- Confirm that your gas, electricity, water, and internet services are working and paid ahead of time. Most companies will simply move your past line wiith them to your new home.
- If you haven’t already done so, update your address with the post office and with the utility companies.
3. Unpack the Essentials First:
- Focus on unpacking the essentials like kitchenware, toiletries, and bedding first thing first so you can have a user friendly home as you slowly unpack the rest.
- Prioritize areas you’ll use immediately, such as the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom.
- Try to organize your boxes according to which ones you think are key to unpack first and undo the rest at your own speed.
- My top tip is to unpack the coffee maker so you will have the liquid courage to get the rest of the house done too.
- Have extra sets of bedding set aside so that when you move in you can immediately set up the beds and pass out if needed for a nap to keep going.
4. Organize Your Home:
- Clean the floors to start off your new life squeaky clean. This deep clean moment without all the furniture and decor won’t always exist so take full advantage of it.
- Start by tackling one room at a time, this will make it easier to see progress and prevent feeling overwhelmed. Take breaks and drink coffee, this task will end at some point.
- Create an organizing system for your things and consider tossing away items you no longer need. It is better if you took this step before you packed up those items and hauled them across the USA, but hey better late than never.
- Organization and becoming a minimalist is the best thing you can do for your new home. Less is more. Toss those clothes you never wear and that extra tea set from your grandpa you are keeping out of guilt, you will never feel better!
5. Change Your Address:
- Visit your local post office or go online to update your address for mail forwarding.
- Notify banks, insurance, and other contacts of your new address.Once you change this you will be able to tie your new utility bills to this residence.
6. Register Your Car:
- If you’ve moved to a new city or state, update your driver’s license and car registration.
- This is also a good time to check if your car insurance needs any changes due to your new location.
- There are new laws for each state so be sure to read through them to comply.
7. Meet the Neighbors:
- Be friendly, even maybe whip up some cookies and bring them on over if you want to be old fashioned and nice.
- Take some time to introduce yourself to your new neighborhood. A friendly chat can help you get familiar with the area and any local services or rules. If you want to go all out create a small bbq or lemonade stand with the kids.
8. Deep Clean:
- Even if your new home is clean, give it a thorough, deep clean. This means wiping down surfaces, vacuuming, mopping the floors and disinfecting commonly touched areas. The deeper you clean the longer the clean will last and it’s effects will be felt throughout the home.
9. Childproof or Pet-proof Your Home:
If you have young ones or pets, make sure that your new space is safe. Install safety gates or gates to block your dog from getting to the entire home, outlet covers, don’t forget to pet-proof your yard or balcony so they won’t escape in the new unfamiliar territory.
10. Take the Time To Enjoy
- Ok, the hard part is over; now is when you should begin to really enjoy the process.
- Don’t look at the unpacking part as another stressful step, but rather as a fun game for the whole family to make your house feel like a home.
- Involve your kids and let them do the decor of their own spaces so they can feel as if they are a part.
Final Thoughts
Moving is a big task; it’s no joke. Getting settled in your new home is an exciting part of the process that with a few tips from our pros you will finish up in no time. With a bit of patience and organization skills, you’ll be able to enjoy your new home and start hosting new memories.
Keep up with your checklist, and don’t push things off for later to you’ll ensure that your new house becomes a home in no time! Pricing Van Lines also offers a full unpacking option in our services packages so if you don’t feel like doing the unpacking yourself then don’t hesitate to book this awesome option. Best of luck from our teams!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should it take to unpack after a move?
Unpacking time changes depending on the size of your home and how organized your move was beforehand. On average, most people unpack the essentials within the first few days, but a full unpacking can take anywhere from a week to a few weeks. If you want to take it slow give yourself a hard stop date to finish the task within a month or it will drag out forever.
What should I do if I find damages after my move?
If your moving company is responsible for the damage, file a claim with them as soon as possible. If you moved yourself, contact your insurance to see if it covers any damages during the move. Be extra careful going around corners with furniture and try to save yourself the headache down the road. Usually an extra touch up of paint can solve and issues.
How can I make my new house feel like home quickly for my kids?
Personalize your space with familiar decor, family photos, and the things that make you feel comfortable. Try to recreate the feel of your old space, whether that’s through colors, furniture arrangement, or even candles for the smells. Let your kids be a part of the unpacking and get those boxes out to the trash asap to have your home feel like like a work in progress building site.
Do I need to update my voter registration after a move?
Yes, you should update your voter registration to your new address. You can do this online through your state’s government website or by visiting the local elections office. This ias important to do asap as you will forget and be unable to vote in the next election. Don’t push off this task for later.
What should I do if my utilities aren’t working properly after the move?
If your utilities aren’t functioning, contact your utility providers asap. It could be a simple issue that requires a technician, or you might need to verify that your services were activated correctly. If your new home doesn’t seem to be working at full capacity it could be that your appliances aren’t fit for the electrical capacity you have in the home meaning you need to bring the power company out for rewiring.
