Relocating to a new home is an exciting chapter, but the process of moving can often feel like a daunting task. From packing up years of belongings to coordinating logistics, the challenges can quickly pile up. Regardless of whether this is your first time moving or you’re a seasoned pro, you might already know the basics:
how to pack all your belongings in boxes
; how to transport those boxes (maybe even with
the help of movers
and
a moving truck
) to your new space; and how you should unload everything once you get there. But with all the hustle and bustle of a move, it’s easy to forget to take care of some crucial home projects before pulling up in your moving van.
However, with careful planning and the right strategies, you can transform your move from a stressful ordeal into a manageable and even enjoyable experience.
One of the most effective ways to ease the moving process is by starting early and being organized. In this guide, we’ve compiled 12 expert-approved tips to help you navigate your move with confidence. Whether you’re moving across town or across the country, these strategies are tailored to simplify your relocation and help you settle into your new home with minimal stress.
For more moving tips, here’s
how to properly pack boxes
. And check out our picks for the
best moving companies
, and here are
seven apps that make the moving process less stressful
.
Transfer utilities and change your address
Changing your address
and updating your utilities may seem obvious but can be easily overlooked when you’re busy with the home-buying process. Make sure you have utilities and core services set up to be active in your new home before you move in. What a bummer to spend your first night in your first home with no power. Don’t forget to also
transfer mail
,
the internet
, TV services and any regularly scheduled deliveries to your new home address.
Deep-clean
No matter whether your new home looks spotless or is visibly dusty, it’s a good idea to
give it a deep clean before you settle in
. The previous owner probably left some dirt, pet hair, dust or other grime behind. Whether you see it or not, it’s best to start fresh.
Before settling in, make sure to clean those areas. As you wipe down surfaces, remember to swap out your air filters and inspect your
smoke detectors
, too.
1.
Kitchen
2.
Cabinets
3.
Stove
4.
Refrigerator
5.
Bathroom
6.
Shower heads
7.
Toilet
8. Flooring, wall surfaces, and baseboards
9.
Ceiling fans
and light fixtures
10.
Washing machine
11.
Dishwasher
Must-have cleaning equipment
Deep cleaning your whole house becomes simpler with the appropriate equipment. Dailyexeputs puts numerous items through their paces, and here are a few we particularly like:
- The best cleaning tools
- The best vacuum cleaners
- The top robotic vacuums available today
- The top cordless vacuum cleaners
- The best washing machines
- The best dishwashers
- The best air purifiers
Paint
Painting
Can reshape a room. Are you unhappy with that lavender dining area or the pitch-black bedroom that was once used by a teen? It’s best to tackle this before fully settling in. While it might not be as disruptive as some bigger renovation projects, you’ll still need to clear everything out from the space, assuming there’s enough room for all your belongings temporarily.
Additionally, spray paints and spatter, which means if you have items in the space, you should provide extra protection using plastic sheets or drop cloths. A helpful hint: It’s advisable to paint the walls or entire rooms prior to installing new flooring so you won’t worry too much about spills onto your fresh floor surfaces.
Replace or refinish flooring
All items not fixed within your home will occupy some portion of the flooring area. Should you decide to either swap out or refurbish an existing floor, ensure this task is completed prior to settling into your new place. Any professional whom you engage for these renovations must have clear access to those spaces without obstructions; hence, there’s little point in cluttering them ahead of time.
Even if you do the work yourself, you’ll need to shuffle your belongings around, and that will drastically lengthen the time it takes to complete the project and make it harder on yourself.
Plumbing and electric updates
If you’re buying a home that is a bit dated and needs major updates to core systems like plumbing or electrical, you might consider getting these projects done before your move.
If you do have major updates taking place, there’s a fair chance the work involved will include cutting out sections of drywall or flooring to make pathways for updated pipes or wiring. The demo and subsequent drywall repairs will create quite a bit of dust, so you’ll also likely be painting walls or repairing flooring.
Kitchen remodel
If you’re planning on remodeling or renovating your kitchen, it’s better to do it before moving in. Going through a total kitchen remodel can upset the day-to-day flow in many ways. Not only will you not be able to prepare food, you also won’t have any space to store food, especially if appliances need to be moved or unplugged. You’ll need space to store all of your dishes and kitchen gadgets, plus all of the debris and materials for the kitchen renovation will have to go somewhere as well.
Bathroom renovation
A further hassle involves completely redoing your bathroom. Whether this becomes a significant problem depends largely on the number of residents in your household when you have several bathrooms available. Should you possess just one complete bathroom, lacking access to it for an extended period—be it days or weeks—will certainly pose difficulties. Regardless of these conditions, if you opt to hire professionals for the job, it’s prudent to account for additional time beyond what your contractor anticipates and prepare yourself for reduced bathroom availability during the renovation process.
Replace HVAC
The duration of replacing significant HVAC elements often doesn’t take long and typically doesn’t necessitate extensive renovations elsewhere in the house. Depending on when you buy your new home, consider having these tasks completed beforehand if you experience scorching summers and freezing winters. This way, you avoid enduring severe temperature conditions after relocating.
Replace locks and set up home security
It’s always good to switch things up
locks
When getting a new home or installing home security features before moving in, changing the locks guarantees that the former homeowner can no longer enter your house, thus ensuring better security.
home security cameras
and
video doorbells
discourage potential intruders and allow you to monitor your belongings regardless of your location.
Each house varies, thus there isn’t a universal guideline for positioning security cameras. Typically, they should be placed near entry points such as the main entrance, rear exit, and sides of the property. Ensure not to install these devices in areas that could infringe upon anyone’s privacy, including private rooms like bedrooms and restrooms. Should you remain uncertain about their optimal locations,
Dailyexcel lays out the top and bottom locations for them.
Best Video Doorbell Cameras:
See at Dailyexe
Child and pet-proofing
Safety extends beyond just locks and surveillance cameras. If you have young children, it might be wise to install childproofing measures before they arrive at your home. Similarly, if you have
pets
, you might require comparable safety measures indoors or a barrier surrounding your new yard.
This is an opportune moment to tour your house and ensure you’re aware of the locations for the primary electric, water, and gas shutoffs, along with any additional safety measures. Doing so allows you to begin considering aspects related to your family’s safety.
household safety strategy in the event of an emergency
.
In summary, all these tasks could occur after you’ve settled into your new residence, yet tackling them ahead of time might help reduce stress levels. By ensuring they’re completed before moving in, you’ll increase the chances of enjoying your new abode rather than feeling burdened by unexpected complications.
When you get a chance, also look into this
list of tools
you will require for keeping up your new house. Additionally, here’s
how to form friendships with your newly arrived neighbors
and
ways to transform your new house into a cozy home
.
Initially released on May 8, 2025 at 10:00 AM Pacific Time.
