You’ve signed the paperwork, you have the keys, and you’re standing in your new, empty house. The excitement is building, but before you start unloading boxes, pause for a moment. This brief window of time, when the house is empty, is a golden opportunity. By tackling a few essential tasks now, you can ensure your new home is safe, clean, and ready for a smooth transition.
Here are the crucial steps you need to take before the moving truck arrives. Getting these items checked off your list first will prevent future headaches and help you focus on the fun part: turning this new house into your home.
1. Prioritize Security: Change the Locks
Your first action in a new home should always be to secure it. You have no way of knowing who has a copy of the old keys, from previous owners and their family to real estate agents or contractors. For true peace of mind, changing the locks is a non-negotiable first step.
What to Do:
- Rekey or Replace: A locksmith can rekey the existing locks, which is often a quick and cost-effective solution. If you’re handy, you can also purchase new locksets from a hardware store and install them yourself.
- Check All Entry Points: Don’t forget about side doors, back doors, sliding glass doors, and any door leading from the garage into the house.
- Update Digital Access: If your new home has a keypad entry, a security system, or a garage door with a remote, reset all the codes immediately.
2. Activate Utilities and Internet
Nothing stops a move in its tracks like discovering you have no electricity or running water. To avoid a frustrating first night, contact utility companies at least two weeks before your move-in date to schedule service transfers or set up new accounts.
Who to Contact:
- Core Utilities: Call your local providers for electricity, gas, and water. Let them know your move-in date to ensure services are active when you arrive.
- Internet and Cable: Service providers are often booked out a week or more. Call as soon as you have a closing date to schedule an installation appointment. A technician can work much more efficiently in an empty house.
- Trash and Recycling: Contact the local municipality or waste management company to set up your service and learn the pickup schedule.
3. Perform a Top-to-Bottom Deep Clean
An empty house is a cleaner’s dream. Before a single box comes through the door, seize the chance to deep clean every nook and cranny. Even if the home appears tidy, it’s unlikely to meet your personal standard of clean.
Your Cleaning Game Plan:
- Kitchen: Scrub the insides of all cabinets, drawers, and the pantry. Deep clean the oven, microwave, and dishwasher. Disinfect countertops, sinks, and the inside of the refrigerator.
- Bathrooms: Sanitize toilets, showers, tubs, and sinks. Clean out medicine cabinets and vanities before you stock them. Pay special attention to grout and caulk, which can harbor mold.
- Floors and Walls: Have carpets professionally steam cleaned to remove allergens and dirt. For hard floors, a thorough wash and polish will make them shine. Wipe down all walls, baseboards, and window sills.
4. Test All Safety Devices
Functional smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are critical for home safety. As soon as you get inside, take a few minutes to test every single detector to ensure it’s working properly.
Quick Safety Check:
- Press the “test” button on each unit to confirm you hear a loud alarm.
- Replace the batteries in all detectors, even if they seem to be working. It’s a small cost that provides a fresh start and peace of mind.
- Check the expiration date printed on the back. Most detectors need to be replaced every 8-10 years.
5. Locate Your Home’s Key Systems
In an emergency, fumbling around to find your home’s main controls is the last thing you want to do. Take a few minutes to locate the circuit breaker panel and the main water shut-off valve before you need them.
- Circuit Breaker Box: Find your electrical panel (often in the garage, basement, or a utility closet). It’s helpful to label the circuits if they aren’t already.
- Main Water Shut-Off Valve: Locate this valve so you can quickly turn off the water in case of a leak or burst pipe. It is typically found where the main water line enters the house.
6. Schedule Proactive Pest Control
It’s far better to prevent a pest problem than to deal with an infestation after you’ve moved in all your belongings. Before your furniture arrives, consider hiring a pest control professional for a preventative treatment. They can easily access baseboards, closets, and corners where pests tend to hide, making the service much more effective.
7. Plan Your Furniture Layout
Walking through empty rooms gives you a clear perspective on space and flow. Use this time to measure rooms and plan where your large furniture will go. This pre-planning makes moving day much more efficient. You can direct the movers to place the sofa, beds, and heavy bookcases in their final spots from the start, saving you from rearranging them later.
8. Document the Home’s Condition
Before moving anything inside, walk through every room and document its condition with your phone. Take photos or a video of any pre-existing issues, like scratches on the floor, dents in the walls, or cracks in the tile. This creates a timestamped record of the home’s state when you took possession, which can be useful for your records, especially if you are renting.
Your Comprehensive Pre-Move-In Checklist
Use this handy list to make sure you’ve covered all your bases before the moving truck pulls up.
- Change or rekey all exterior door locks.
- Reset garage door, security system, and smart lock codes.
- Schedule utility services (electricity, water, gas, trash).
- Book your internet and cable installation appointment.
- Perform a deep clean of the entire house (kitchen, bathrooms, floors).
- Test all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Replace batteries in all safety detectors.
- Locate the main water shut-off valve and circuit breaker box.
- Schedule a preventative pest control treatment.
- Measure rooms and plan your furniture layout.
- Document the condition of the empty house with photos/videos.
- Forward your mail to the new address through the postal service.
By tackling these tasks ahead of time, you set yourself up for a successful and stress-free move. You can then focus on what really matters: settling in and enjoying your new home.
Ready to find your dream home? Visit DiscoveryHomes.com to explore our vibrant communities and browse our move-in ready homes. Located in some of the Bay Area’s most sought-after neighborhoods, we’re here to help you find the perfect place to call home.