Congratulations — the boxes are in, the truck is gone, and you’ve officially arrived. Before you start unpacking everything, there are a few important things worth doing first.
The first 24–48 hours in a new home are a good opportunity to check for problems, locate important safety equipment, confirm utilities, and make the space comfortable. Whether you’re moving into a house, apartment, or townhome, these five steps can help you settle in faster.
1. Do a Full Walkthrough
Before furniture and boxes fill every room, walk through the home and check that everything is working as expected.
- Test light switches and outlets.
- Flush toilets and run faucets.
- Check under sinks for leaks.
- Test major appliances.
- Inspect doors, windows, and locks.
- Test the garage door opener if applicable.
If you’re renting, photograph any existing damage or maintenance issues and share them with your landlord. Keeping a record at move-in can help prevent confusion later.
2. Locate Safety Essentials
Take a few minutes to find the main systems you may need in an emergency.
- Electrical panel or circuit breaker
- Main water shutoff
- Gas shutoff, if applicable
- Smoke alarms
- Carbon monoxide alarms
- Fire extinguishers
Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms according to the manufacturer’s instructions and replace batteries when needed. It is also a good time to identify potential hazards for children or pets.
If you still have address changes to complete, use our change of address checklist.
3. Confirm Utilities and Internet
Make sure electricity, water, gas, heating or cooling, and internet service are working properly. If something is not active, contacting the provider early can help prevent delays.
Internet is especially important if you work from home or rely on connected devices. Test your connection, confirm your account is active, and keep your Wi-Fi information somewhere easy for your household to find.
For local information, see our Des Moines move-in resources guide.
4. Clean Key Areas Before Unpacking
Even if the home was cleaned before you arrived, this is the easiest time to wipe down high-use areas before boxes and furniture get in the way.
- Kitchen counters and cabinet shelves
- Refrigerator handles
- Bathroom fixtures
- Light switches
- Door handles
- Floors in high-traffic areas
Keep a few basic cleaning supplies in your essentials box so you do not have to dig through packed boxes to find them.
5. Make One Room Functional
Trying to unpack the entire home at once can make moving day feel endless. Instead, choose one room and make it usable first.
For many people, that means setting up the bedroom with clean sheets and a place to sleep. Others prefer to get the kitchen ready so meals, drinks, and morning coffee are easy.
Once one room feels finished, the rest of the home can be unpacked at a more comfortable pace.
What Should You Unpack First?
After the essentials are handled, focus on the items you use every day before worrying about decorations or less important boxes.
- Bedding and towels
- Toiletries
- Medications
- Kitchen basics
- Work or school supplies
- Clothing for the next few days
- Pet supplies
Clearly labeled boxes make this much easier. If you are still preparing for your move, see our guide on how to label moving boxes.
First 5 Things to Do After You Move In
Moving into a new home can feel chaotic, but the first steps do not have to be complicated. Walk through the property, locate safety equipment, confirm utilities, clean the areas you will use first, and make one room comfortable.
Once those basics are handled, you can unpack the rest of your home without feeling like everything needs to happen at once.
Need Help With Your Move?
Blue Cow Moving & Storage helps homeowners throughout Central Iowa with moving, packing, and storage. If you are planning an upcoming move, we would be honored to help.
Contact Blue Cow Moving & Storage to request a quote or learn more about our moving services.
