Moving Into a New House Checklist: The Complete 2025 Guide for a Stress-Free Move
Moving into a new house is a big deal, but if you’re not ready, it can quickly become too much to handle. When you forget to pay your bills, have to make unexpected repairs, lose important things, or have a messy unloading, what should be a new beginning can quickly turn into a stressful situation.
Fischer Van Lines has moved thousands of people in and out of homes in Denver, Boulder, Lakewood, Centennial, and the whole Colorado Front Range. They know exactly what makes a move-in day go smoothly, quickly, and without stress.
This expert guide has the ultimate move-in checklist for your new home. It’s clear, useful, and meant to answer all the big questions homeowners have before, during, and after the move.
Quick Move-In Checklist: The 10 Most Important Things
Start here if you want the quick version:
- Get the internet, gas, water, electricity, and heat going.
- Change the locks on the outside and update the access codes.
- Check the HVAC system, plumbing, outlets, and all the big appliances.
- Before you unload, give the whole house a deep clean.
- Find the electrical panel and the main water shut-off valve.
- Set up the main rooms: the kitchen, the bathroom, and the bedroom.
- Take the things out of your “First-Day Essentials Box.”
- Take pictures of the house before you unpack.
- Make plans for when to pick up trash and recycling.
Make sure to change your address everywhere it matters.
Table of Move-In Dates
A structured timeline makes everything easier and stops tasks from being missed
A Quick Look at the Move-In Checklist
|
Stage |
What to Do |
Why It Matters |
|
Before Moving In |
Turn on the utilities, do a deep clean, fix things, test the appliances, and get the basics ready. |
This will lower stress and keep things from getting delayed on moving day. |
|
Moving Day |
Walk the movers through the house, protect the floors, put the important furniture in place, and check the inventory. |
This makes sure that everything is unloaded safely and that nothing gets damaged. |
|
First Week |
Change locks, test safety devices, update your address, and explore the neighborhood. |
This will help you feel safe and settle in quickly. |
|
First Month |
HVAC service, filter changes, roof and gutter checks, and system inspections. |
This keeps problems from happening and makes things more comfortable in the long run. |
The Complete New House Checklist Before You Move In
1. Turn on all of your home’s utilities and services.
As soon as you get there, your home should be ready to go. Check to see if activation is on:
- Power
- Gas
- Water and sewer
- Air conditioning and heating
- Wi-Fi and the Internet
- Services for trash and recycling
- System for home security
Tip for Colorado: Utility companies may be late in the winter, so make sure to confirm activation 48 hours before you move in.
2. Clean the house thoroughly while it’s empty.
It’s much easier to clean before the boxes and furniture arrive.
Pay attention to:
- Drawers and cabinets
- Tiles and fixtures for the bathroom
- Vents and baseboards
- Carpets, especially if the last owners had pets
- Blinds and windows
- Appliances inside
A clean start makes the whole move easier.
3. Finish repairs and upgrades before the deadline
Many people who buy a new home don’t realize how hard it is to fix things once the furniture is in.
Things to do before you move:
- Painting touch-ups
- Filling in nail holes
- Fixing leaks in the plumbing
- Putting in new blinds
- Changing out light fixtures
- Replacing or cleaning carpets
- Putting in smart locks and thermostats
- Putting new caulk on sinks and tubs
Fix any problems that your inspection found before you move in.
4. Check all of your home’s appliances and systems
Make sure everything is working right:
- Oven and stove
- Ice maker and refrigerator
- Dishwashing machine
- A washer and dryer
- Heater for water
- Thermostat and heating and cooling
- Openers for garage doors
- System of sprinklers
Call the seller, landlord, or warranty provider right away if something isn’t working.
5. Make a box of things you’ll need on the first day
This box saves you hours of searching and getting angry on move-in day.
Add:
- Toiletries and towels
- Bedding for each person in the family
- Electronics and chargers
- Snacks and bottled water
- Cleaning wipes and paper towels
- Basic pots, pans, and utensils
- Drugs
- A flashlight
- A small set of tools
- Things your pet needs
Put this box in your own car.
Checklist for Packing and Getting Ready
1. Get rid of things before you pack.
Cutting down on volume saves time, money, and energy.
Organize things into:
- Keep
- Give
- Sell
- Recycle
- Throw away
When families clean out their homes properly, they usually get rid of 15–30% of their stuff.
2. Clearly and consistently label boxes
Proper labeling makes it easier to unload and faster to unpack.
Use:
- Labels for rooms
- Tags for priority
- Stickers that say “fragile”
- Tape that is color-coded
Your movers will put everything in the right place.
3. Keep fragile and valuable things safe.
Snap pictures of:
- Electronics
- TV sets
- Art
- Looking glasses
- Things made of glass
- Old things
This paperwork is helpful in case of accidental damage.
4. Put important papers in order
Your checklist for moving into a new home should have:
- Passports and ID cards
- Lease or closing papers
- Manuals and warranties
- Papers for insurance
- Records of medical care
- Certificates of birth
- Papers for taxes
You should carry these things yourself – not in the moving truck.
5. Take measurements of the doors, hallways, and furniture.
This is especially important in older Colorado homes with small rooms.
Measure:
- Frames for doors
- Stairs
- Halls
- Height of the ceiling
- Furniture that is too big
This keeps things from getting damaged and stops delays in moving in.
List of Things to Do on Moving Day
1. Give the movers a full tour of your home.
Show them:
- Areas that are easy to break
- Rooms that are most important
- Corners that are tight
- Stairs
- Exact placement of furniture
Clear communication makes things run more smoothly and safely.
2. Keep floors, walls, and door frames safe.
Moving companies use:
- Runners for the floor
- Guards for corners
- Protectors for door jams
This keeps your home and things safe.
3. First, put together the most important furniture.
Begin with:
- Beds
- Rooms for kids
- Things you need for the kitchen
- Main living space
- Setting up a home office (if needed)
The first night is much easier with a functional sleeping space.
4. Check the inventory before the movers leave.
Before you sign off:
- Count all the boxes
- Look at the furniture
- Take note of any damage
- Check that the placement is in the right rooms
Tell someone about your worries right away.
The First Week in Your New Home
1. Change the security codes and locks on all doors.
Update:
- Locks on outside doors
- Keypad for the garage
- Codes for getting through the gate
- Password for Wi-Fi
- Smart gadgets and apps
Your first priority should be safety.
2. Check all safety systems
Make sure that the following are working:
- Alarms for smoke
- Carbon monoxide detectors
- Extinguishers for fires
- Cameras for security
- Lighting outside
Note for Colorado: CO detectors are very important because a lot of homes depend on heating systems.
3. Get to know the mechanical parts of your home.
Find:
- Valve to turn off the water
- Valve to turn off the gas
- Panel for electricity
- Sump pump (common in Colorado basements)
- Controller for the sprinkler
- System for heating, cooling, and air conditioning
Knowing where these places are can help you avoid emergencies.
4. Change your address everywhere
Let them know:
- USPS
- Boss
- Credit cards and banks
- DMV
- Health insurance
- Platforms for online delivery
- Memberships and subscriptions
5. Find out more about your neighborhood
Find:
- Stores that sell food
- Drugstores
- Clinics for urgent care
- Parks and places to play
- Services for pets
- Schools in the area
- Rules for the HOA (if there are any)
This will help you feel more at home and connected more quickly.
Checklist of Things You Need in Each Room
Kitchen
- Pots and pans and other kitchen tools
- Dishes, bowls, and glasses
- Bags for trash
- Basic food items
- Things for cleaning
- Sponges and dish soap
Bathroom
- Bath towels
- Curtain for the shower
- Personal care items
- Paper for the bathroom
- Sprays for cleaning
Bedroom
- Bedding
- Pillows
- Hangers
- Lamp for the nightstand
Living Room
- Couch
- Cables and TV
- Strips of power
- A router for Wi-Fi
- A vacuum cleaner
Garage or Yard
- A snow shovel (very important in the winter in Colorado)
- A ladder
- Shelves for storage
- Tools for the lawn
- Melting ice
A List for New Homeowners
If this is your first home, do these extra things:
- Change the filters in the HVAC system
- Look over the roof and gutters
- Look at the windows and insulation
- Check the levels of radon
- Check the age of the water heater
- Set up a fund for emergency repairs
- Make sure to have regular HVAC service
These tasks make things safer and use less energy.
A List of Things Renters Should Do Before Moving In
People who rent should:
- Make a record of any damage that was already there
- Test appliances immediately
- Verify mailbox and key access
- Inspect smoke and CO detectors
- Review lease rules (pets, parking, noise)
- Purchase renter’s insurance
FAQuestions
What should I do first when moving into a new home?
Activate utilities, change the locks, deep clean, and set up bedrooms.
Should I clean my new home before moving in?
Yes – cleaning an empty home is far more effective.
What should I look at right away?
HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical panel, smoke and CO detectors.
How do I stay organized during move-in?
Follow a structured checklist and keep your essentials box accessible.
Fischer Van Lines Will Make Your Move Easy
A smooth move-in experience starts with the right moving company. For over 15 years, Fischer Van Lines has provided:
- Premium residential moving
- Professional packing and unpacking
- Local and long-distance moving
- Clean trucks and trained movers
- Careful handling of fragile and heavy items
- Reliable service throughout Colorado
We combine expertise, precision, and care – so you can focus on enjoying your new home.
Ready for a seamless move? Contact Fischer Van Lines today.
