New Home Checklist (75 Tasks) | Everything to Do When You Move Into a New House
Moving into a new home is one of the most exciting milestones there is — and one of the most disorganized if you do not have a plan. The first few days are a blur of boxes, missing items, and decisions you did not expect to be making. The homeowners who handle the transition smoothly are the ones who decided in advance what order things happen in, not the ones who figured it out as they went.
This checklist covers all 75 tasks of the new home move-in process — from the utilities you need to schedule before closing day to the first-year maintenance calendar that protects your investment long after the boxes are unpacked. Work through each section in order, starting before you receive the keys.
🏠 Use this checklist to cover everything your new home needs — from security and safety on move-in day to utilities, deep cleaning, essential purchases, and the first-year maintenance tasks that protect your investment. Work through each section in order, starting before you get the keys.
Security is the first thing to address — before you unpack a single box, before you make the bed, before you do anything else. Change every exterior lock and deadbolt. Reprogram the garage door opener and reset the keypad PIN. You have absolutely no idea how many copies of the old key exist — previous owners, their adult children, real estate agents, contractors, housekeepers, neighbors with emergency access. Any one of them can walk into your home with a key that technically no longer belongs to them.
This is not a task for the first week. It is a task for the first hour. The hardware is inexpensive — a new deadbolt set costs $30 to $80 — or a locksmith can rekey existing locks for $100 to $200 for the whole house. A smart keypad deadbolt eliminates the key problem entirely and lets you set new codes instantly. According to the NFPA, residential fires are most commonly caused by cooking and heating equipment — having a working smoke detector, a carbon monoxide detector, and a fire extinguisher in the kitchen before your first night is equally non-negotiable.
Deep Clean First, Furniture Second
Clean the entire home before furniture arrives. This sounds obvious but most people move furniture in first and clean around it for the next two years. An empty house is a completely different cleaning experience — you can reach every corner, every cabinet interior, every baseboard, every stretch of grout. You will never have this opportunity again in this home. Hire a cleaning service if needed, but get it done before the first piece of furniture crosses the threshold.
Replace the HVAC filter on move-in day. You do not know when the previous owner last changed it — or if they ever did. Write the filter size on a piece of tape inside the furnace door so you always know the size at a glance, and set a recurring calendar reminder every 1 to 3 months. A clogged HVAC filter forces the system to work significantly harder, increases monthly energy bills, and shortens the lifespan of a system that costs $5,000 to $10,000 to replace.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should you do first when you move into a new house?+
The very first tasks are security and safety — before you unpack a single box. Change all exterior door locks, reprogram the garage door opener, test every smoke and carbon monoxide detector, and locate the water shut-off valve, electrical panel, and gas shut-off. You have no way of knowing how many copies of the old key exist, and finding the water shut-off while the house is flooding is not the time to learn where it is.
Should you change the locks when you move into a new house?+
Yes — always, before your first night. Previous owners, their family members, real estate agents, contractors, and neighbors may all have copies of the old key. Rekeying all exterior deadbolts costs $100 to $300 for a locksmith or under $100 in hardware for a DIY job. This is the single most important security task in any new home and should never be skipped.
What utilities do you need to set up when moving into a new home?+
Schedule electricity, water, gas, trash, and internet before your move-in date — utilities should be active one to two days before you arrive, not the same day. Internet and cable installation can take one to two weeks for an appointment, so book that as soon as your closing date is confirmed. Update your address with USPS, your employer, your bank, the DMV, and all insurance providers within the first two weeks.
What should you deep clean when moving into a new house?+
Clean the entire home before moving in furniture — you will never have this opportunity again. Prioritize: all bathrooms including grout and behind the toilet, inside all kitchen cabinets and drawers, the oven and refrigerator, all carpets (professionally if possible), windows inside and out, and walls and baseboards. Replace all toilet seats — it costs under $30 each and immediately makes the home feel like yours.
What should you buy immediately when moving into a new home?+
The day-one essential purchases are: a basic toolkit, replacement HVAC filter, new light bulbs for every fixture, a kitchen fire extinguisher, cleaning supplies, a first aid kit, new shower curtains, a flashlight, batteries, and door mats. These are things you will need within the first few days and should not wait until after the move to buy.
How often should you change HVAC filters in a new home?+
Replace HVAC filters every 1 to 3 months depending on filter type and household conditions. Replace immediately when you move in — you don’t know when the previous owner last changed it. Write the filter size on the inside of the furnace door so you always have it on hand. Set a recurring calendar reminder because this is the most commonly skipped home maintenance task and one of the most impactful for air quality and system longevity.
What home maintenance should you do in the first year?+
First-year priorities: HVAC filters every 1 to 3 months, professional HVAC service twice a year, gutters cleaned in spring and fall, dryer vent cleaned annually, water heater flushed, smoke and CO detectors tested monthly, caulk around tubs and showers inspected and replaced as needed, and garage door serviced. Set calendar reminders for each — the NFPA and most home warranty providers recommend annual service for these systems, and deferred maintenance is always the most expensive kind.
What do you need for your first night in a new home?+
Set up your bedroom first — you will sleep much better in a familiar organized space even if the rest of the house is still boxes. For the first night you need: bed made up, toilet paper in every bathroom, soap and towels, working flashlight, phone chargers accessible, basic food and cooking supplies, and medications. Confirm utilities are active before you arrive. Do not leave the lock change for the next day.
🛒 New Home Essentials — Grab These First
The items every new homeowner needs immediately — available on Amazon for quick delivery before or on move-in day.
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Smart Lock or Keypad Deadbolt
Rekey-free security upgrade. A smart deadbolt lets you set new codes instantly, track who enters, and lock remotely. Far more secure than relying on old key copies existing.
Combination smoke and carbon monoxide detector with 10-year battery — no annual battery replacement. Replace any detector over 10 years old regardless of battery status.
A 200+ piece toolkit with hammer, screwdrivers, tape measure, pliers, level, and drill bits. You will use this within the first week — hanging curtains, assembling furniture, and more.
Buy a 6-pack of your home’s filter size so you always have one on hand. Replace immediately on move-in day and set a recurring reminder every 1 to 3 months after.
See and speak to anyone at your door from anywhere. Deters package theft and solicitors, and gives you a record of everyone who approaches your front door.
ABC-rated fire extinguisher for kitchen and general household use. Mount under the kitchen sink or near the stove — the NFPA recommends one per floor minimum.
Replace all bulbs on move-in day with consistent warm white (2700K) LED bulbs. Bulk packs cover a whole house — LEDs last 10+ years and use 75% less energy than incandescent.
A multi-purpose water shut-off tool turns off the main water supply and individual fixture valves — critical when you can’t find the built-in handle during an emergency.
All-purpose cleaner, bathroom scrub, microfiber cloths, mop, and trash bags — everything you need for the pre-furniture deep clean. Buy before moving day, not after.
