What To Do After A Move Checklist

After a move, there are several important tasks you should prioritize to help you settle into your new home smoothly. Here’s a checklist of things to do after a move:

1. Unpack essentials: Start by unpacking the essentials box you prepared for your first night. This includes toiletries, bedding, clothes, and basic kitchen supplies.

2. Inspect your belongings: Check your belongings for any damage or missing items. Take photos and document any issues for insurance purposes if you hired professional movers.

3. Set up utilities and services: Contact utility providers to have services such as electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable set up in your new home. Schedule installation dates if necessary.

4. Change your address: Update your address with the post office, banks, credit card companies, insurance providers, and any other relevant institutions. Also, notify friends and family of your new address.

5. Register your vehicle: If you’ve moved to a new state or country, register your vehicle and update your driver’s license and car insurance accordingly.

6. Find local services: Research and find local service providers such as doctors, dentists, veterinarians (if you have pets), and other professionals you may need in your new area.

7. Explore your neighborhood: Take the time to familiarize yourself with your new neighborhood. Locate essential places like grocery stores, pharmacies, banks, parks, and recreational facilities.

8. Register with schools: If you have children, register them with their new school and transfer their records. Familiarize yourself with school policies, bus routes, and important dates.

9. Update your voter registration: Register to vote in your new district if you have moved to a different area. This ensures your voter information is up to date.

10. Find new healthcare providers: Research and schedule appointments with new healthcare providers in your new area. Transfer medical records if necessary.

11. Meet your neighbors: Introduce yourself to your new neighbors and start building connections within the community. They may provide valuable information and assistance as you settle in.

12. Register with local services: Register for local services such as library cards, community centers, fitness clubs, and other amenities that interest you.

13. Set up home security: Assess your home’s security needs and consider installing a security system or changing locks for added peace of mind.

14. Update insurance policies: Notify your insurance providers about your change of address and update your policies accordingly, including homeowner’s, renter’s, and auto insurance.

15. Dispose of moving materials: Properly dispose of or recycle moving boxes, packing materials, and other moving-related waste.

16. Register pets: If you have pets, update their information with your local municipality and register them if required. Find a new veterinarian if necessary.

17. Join local community groups: Look for local community groups, clubs, or organizations that align with your interests. Participating in community activities can help you meet new people and feel more connected.

18. Update your emergency contact information: Update your emergency contact information with your employer, schools, healthcare providers, and any other relevant institutions.

19. Familiarize yourself with local regulations: Understand any new local regulations or ordinances that may affect you, such as parking restrictions, trash collection schedules, and noise regulations.

20. Decorate and personalize your space: Make your new house feel like home by unpacking and decorating. Add personal touches and arrange furniture to create a comfortable and inviting environment.

21. Register with local libraries: If you enjoy reading, register with local libraries to access their resources and services.

22. Update your online presence: Update your address and contact information on social media, online shopping accounts, and other online platforms you use regularly.

23. Forward mail: If you’re receiving mail at your previous address, set up mail forwarding with the post office to ensure you receive any mail that’s still being sent there.

24. Familiarize yourself with emergency services: Locate the nearest hospitals, police stations, fire departments, and other emergency services in your new area.

25. Take care of yourself: Moving can be physically and emotionally exhausting. Take some time for self-care, relax, and explore your new surroundings at your own pace.

Remember, everyone’s situation is unique, so adjust this checklist according to your specific needs and priorities. Take your time settling in and enjoy your new home!

Your First Night Box

Pack one box, or one overnight bag per person, that rides in your own car and gets opened first:

• Per person: a change of clothes, pajamas, toiletries, prescription medications, phone chargers, and a comfort item for each child.
• Bedroom: sheets, pillows, and a blanket for each bed, or an air mattress if beds cannot go up the first night.
• Bathroom: toilet paper, hand soap, a shower curtain and rings, and one towel per person.
• Kitchen: paper plates, cups, a few utensils, dish soap, coffee supplies, bottled water, and non-perishable snacks.
• Tools and paperwork: box cutter, screwdriver, flashlight, trash bags, and a folder with your lease or closing papers and the mover’s contract and inventory list.
• Pets: food, bowls, leash, litter, and vaccination records.

Label the box clearly and tell your local movers it stays with you so it does not get loaded by mistake.

First 24 Hours in the New Home

Handle safety and sleep before anything decorative:

1. Walk the house before the truck unloads: Confirm utilities are on and photograph any pre-existing damage for your landlord or your own records.
2. Find the shutoffs: Locate the main water valve, electrical panel, and gas shutoff, and test the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
3. Direct the unload: Stand where the movers enter and point each labeled box to its room. Have the crew set up bed frames and place large furniture where you want it.
4. Make the beds and clear a path: Set up bedding and the bathroom, then clear boxes from hallways and stairs.
5. Change the locks, then order food and leave the rest for tomorrow.

Reporting Damage or Missing Items to Your Movers

Check Against the Inventory at Delivery

Your movers should give you a numbered inventory when they load. Tick items off as they come off the truck and note any damage or missing numbers on the delivery paperwork before you sign. A note made at delivery is far stronger evidence than one made a week later.

Photograph Everything

Photograph damaged items, the box they arrived in, and any crushed packing. Keep both until the claim closes and do not repair anything before the mover can inspect it.

Know Your Valuation Coverage

Valuation is not insurance, and the level you chose before the move sets what you can recover. For interstate moves, FMCSA rules require movers to offer Full Value Protection, the default, and Released Value, which pays only 60 cents per pound per item at no extra cost. Check your bill of lading to see which one you selected.

File Within the Window

For interstate moves, file a written claim within nine months of delivery. The mover must acknowledge it within 30 days and resolve it within 120 days. Local moves in Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, and Arizona follow state rules and the mover’s contract, and the windows are often shorter, so file promptly. Include inventory numbers, photos, and a repair or replacement estimate for each item.

If you are still choosing a mover, ask experienced local movers like Sunrise Moving and Packing to walk you through valuation and claims before move day, or request a quote to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Do I Have to Report Damage After a Move?

Nine months for interstate moves under federal rules. For local moves, check your contract and report anything within a few days to be safe.

Will My Movers Set Up Beds and Furniture?

Most full-service local movers reassemble what they disassembled and place furniture where you direct them. Confirm this in your estimate.

Do I Need Separate Moving Insurance?

Check whether your homeowner’s or renter’s policy covers goods in transit, then compare it with the mover’s Full Value Protection. Released Value alone rarely covers a real loss.

Should I Unpack Everything the First Day?

No. Bedrooms and bathrooms on day one, kitchen next, then everything else over the week.