Moving Checklist

Four services need to be active before you spend your first night in the house. The good news is that all of them can be arranged in advance — and none of them require you to be home when they start.

• 1Forward your mail — file a USPS change of address request at least a week before your move date. Note that periodicals stop forwarding after 60 days, so update those subscriptions directly.
• 2Transfer utilities — electric, gas, and water need to be in your name before closing day, not after. Contact each provider with your closing date and confirm activation.
• 3Set up internet and cable — schedule installation before you move in. Installers are often booked 1–2 weeks out, and you do not want to spend your first week without connectivity.
• 4Schedule an energy audit — many utility companies offer free home energy assessments. Doing this before you move in gives you a baseline and can identify efficiency improvements that save money long term.

Security is the one category that genuinely cannot wait. Previous owners, contractors, and real estate agents may all have copies of your keys. The first day you own the home is the right time to address this.

• 1Change the locks — rekey or replace every exterior lock the day you take possession. This is non-negotiable.
• 2Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors — press the test button on every unit. Replace batteries in any that are more than a year old, and replace the unit itself if it is more than 10 years old.
• 3Set up your alarm system — if the home has an existing system, transfer it to your name and update the access codes. If you are adding one, schedule installation before move-in.
• 4Purchase fire extinguishers — install one on each level of the home. Show every household member where they are and how to use them.

An empty home is significantly easier to clean, paint, and repair than a furnished one. If there are tasks from your inspection report or personal wish list, this window — between closing and moving in — is the best time to tackle them.

• 1Deep clean the entire home — professional cleaning services average around $150–$250 for a standard home and are well worth it before your belongings arrive.
• 2Complete any major renovations — painting, refinishing floors, and replacing flooring are all far easier without furniture in the way.
• 3Address repairs from the inspection — items like leaking pipes, faulty outlets, or HVAC issues are faster and cheaper to fix in an empty house.
• 4Consider a home warranty — major systems and appliances can fail without warning. Enrolling in a warranty plan before you move in means coverage starts from day one.

Familiarize yourself with the home

Locate your circuit breaker panel and label each breaker if they are not already labeled. Find the main water shut-off valve. Walk through the HVAC system and note where the filters are and when they were last replaced.

A change of address affects more organizations than most people realize. Start this process before your move date so nothing gets lost in the transition.

• United States Postal Service — file online at usps.com
• Your employer — payroll, tax forms, and benefits correspondence
• Banks, investment accounts, and credit cards
• Federal and state tax authorities (IRS and your state revenue department)
• Driver's license and vehicle registration — most states require an update within 30 days of moving
• Voter registration
• Insurance providers — health, auto, and life
• Online retailers and subscription services (Amazon, recurring deliveries)
• Doctors, dentists, and pharmacies

Once the practical items are handled, a few final tasks make the transition easier for everyone in the household.

• 1Childproof the home — if you have young children, this is easiest before furniture and boxes arrive. Cover outlets, secure cabinets, and install stair gates before move-in day.
• 2Plan for pets — identify a quiet room where pets can stay during the move, away from the activity. Update their tags and microchip records with your new address.
• 3Set up the essentials first — before anything else, get your bed, bathroom supplies, and kitchen basics in place. The rest can wait.

Haven coordinates the services that make this list shorter — utilities, internet, change of address, movers, and more — so that by the time you are carrying boxes through the door, the infrastructure is already in place.