New Home Checklist: First Things to Do After You Move In

By the Mercury Team

You’ve signed what feels like a million papers, gotten the keys, and have a load of belongings in your car ready to move over to the new place. Buying a house for the first time is exciting, but it also comes with many items on your to-do list. Aside from the packing and unpacking, what else do you need to know? Here are some tips for moving into a new home and a checklist to break things down into simpler, concrete steps.

Immediate Things to Do When Moving Into a New Home

“When moving into a new home, it’s important to prioritize tasks that impact safety, comfort, and efficiency first,” says Bonnie Lee, VP, Property Claims. “Focus on essentials like checking smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, setting up utilities, securing doors and windows, and addressing any urgent repairs before tackling cosmetic updates or long-term projects.”

Here’s a starting checklist for moving into a new house:

Change the locks and update security codes

You don’t know how many spare keys exist from previous owners, contractors, or real estate agents. So one of your first tasks should be changing exterior door locks and updating garage or alarm codes.

Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

The National Fire Protection Association reports that three out of five home fire deaths occur in properties without working smoke alarms. Be sure to test each unit, replace batteries, and confirm you have detectors installed near bedrooms and on every level of the new home.

Locate the main water shutoff and electrical panel

A burst pipe can release hundreds of gallons of water in minutes, and a faulty breaker can kill the power to portions of your home. Knowing where your main water shutoff valve and electrical panel are located can prevent major damage during emergencies. Be sure to label breakers clearly if they’re not already marked.

Safety and Maintenance Priorities for Your First Week

“Your first week in a new home is the best time to get ahead of small issues before they turn into expensive problems,” notes Bonnie Lee, VP, Property Claims. “Set yourself up for success by ensuring the systems in your home are as efficient as possible.”

Inspect plumbing and HVAC systems

Plumbing , heating, and cooling are some of the most critical functions within your home. Be sure to check under sinks, around toilets, and near appliances for leaks or corrosion. Schedule an HVAC inspection if one wasn’t completed during closing, especially since heating and cooling account for nearly 50% of a home’s energy use, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Check windows, doors, and weather seals

The Department of Energy estimates that ensuring sealed air ducts can improve your heating and cooling efficiency by as much as 20%. Other places to check are the seals on your windows and doors to ensure more consistent temperatures year-round.

Review the roof and exterior

Walk the property and look for missing shingles, cracked siding, clogged gutters, or grading issues. Exterior problems often worsen without you even noticing and can trigger insurance claims if you leave them unaddressed.

Utilities and Essential Services Setup

You’ll also want to make the transition as smooth as possible by moving all mail and any utilities over to your new place. Add these items to your new home checklist:

Transfer or set up utilities

Confirm electricity, gas, water, trash, internet, and sewer services are active and billed correctly. Missed utility transfers post-move issues can result in service interruptions or late fees.

Update your address and important accounts

Submit an address change with the United States Postal Service and update banks, insurance providers, employers, and subscription services. You don’t want to miss bills or other critical documents, and you also don’t want to run the risk of identity issues tied to misdirected mail.

Cleaning and Home Improvement Tasks

You’re in a new-to-you space, but unless your home is new construction, there were probably previous inhabitants — and if you’ve bought a fixer-upper, it may require a bit of elbow grease to remove signs of the old owners.

Deep clean before unpacking

Did you know that indoor air can be more polluted than outside air? Add to that any leftover pet dander, dusty corners, and debris in the backs of drawers and cabinets, and you’ll want to deep clean the space before you move in. While the rooms are still empty, focus on deep cleaning carpets, cabinets, appliances, bathrooms, and air vents, especially if someone in the family has allergies or asthma.

Plan repairs or renovations

It’s pricey to move with all those upfront costs. So when planning renos or repairs, prioritize those that impact safety, efficiency, or long-term durability. Creating a repair timeline and budget early can help you prevent impulse spending and ensure major upgrades don’t clash with your future plans.

Review and Update Your Homeowners Insurance

“There are plenty of things to do when moving into a new home, but it’s also a perfect moment to contact your independent insurance agent to review and update your homeowners insurance so your coverage actually matches your space,” Bonnie Lee, VP, Property Claims. “You’ll also need to understand what’s covered — or excluded — based on your home’s location and its features.” Here are a few insurance tips for first-time homeowners:

Confirm coverage limits

Construction costs have risen significantly in recent years, and underinsured homes can leave owners paying large out-of-pocket expenses after a loss. Verify that your dwelling coverage reflects current rebuild costs—not just the purchase price.

Look for homeowners insurance discounts

Many insurers offer discounts for security systems, smoke detectors, bundling policies, or recent upgrades. Check with your insurance provider to determine if you qualify for any discounts.

New House Checklist for the First Month

You’ll spend plenty of time unpacking, but you also need to prioritize what needs to be done in your home and when. You’ll also want to designate a spot for all the paperwork, from the mortgage papers to your home warranty and insurance information.

Create a seasonal maintenance plan

Preventive maintenance can reduce repair costs significantly. Set seasonal reminders for HVAC servicing, gutter cleaning, roof inspections, and weather-specific tasks.

Organize important home documents

Store inspection reports, warranties, insurance policies, appliance manuals, and receipts in one secure location. Include digital backups in your plan too. This saves time, stress, and money when repairs, claims, or resale plans arise.

By tackling safety checks, maintenance priorities, and insurance reviews early, you protect your investment, reduce future expenses, and gain confidence as a homeowner. Contact Mercury today for a fast, free homeowners insurance quote.