Not everyone has access to their new home before moving day, such as if they are moving from another state. But, if you do have access, there are some things you should do before you bring all of your belongings over.
Measure and Create a Furniture Floor Plan
Avoid any surprises on moving day by measuring your new home carefully to make sure furniture will fit. This means measuring doorways, ceilings, and the heights of windows too. With these measurements, you can create a floor plan for your furniture and have the movers put the furniture exactly where it needs to go.
Call an Exterminator
Even if you don’t see bugs in the new home, they might be lurking about. If the old owners had pets, then you will especially want to call in the exterminator. Fleas are a major problem and their eggs can lie dormant for years until they sense heat and movement. Once you get fleas in your home, they are incredibly difficult to get rid of and you will have to vacate the premises for a few days after the exterminator sprays. So, it is better to get this done before you move in.
Clean Out the Fridge
Once you have moved in and stocked the fridge, chances are you won’t want to bother fully cleaning and disinfecting the fridge. So, get this done while it is still empty.
Clean the New Home
While we are at it, you will want to clean out the entire place. Most sellers only do a basic cleaning with a broom (and probably won’t clean it again once you’ve signed the papers!). Take the time to thoroughly sweep, vacuum, dust, and disinfect surfaces before you get all your belongings loaded into the new home.
Put On New Toilet Seats
Unless you are moving into a brand new home, then you will probably want to change out the toilet seats before moving in!
Change the Locks
Don’t assume that the old owners returned all of the keys to you. They might have given some to neighbors or friends and forgotten to get them back. Play it safe and change the locks.
Smoke Detectors, Carbon Monoxide Detectors, and Fire Extinguishers
Check the batteries in the detectors and install a fire extinguisher.