On arriving at your new home, it’s a good idea to have a mental checklist of the things you need to do before you settle in. For starters, unload your stuff from the van or truck and move them inside the house. If you’ve hired professional movers, pay them for the service. If you moved DIY-style, drive the rented vehicle back to the designated drop-off point.
Big rental campanies like U-Haul, Penske and Budget have several pick-up and drop-off locations in every major cities and towns so returning the van or truck should not be too much of a bother. Make sure you’ve left none of your personal belongings inside the rental vehicle before handing over the keys. Don’t leave until after the vehicle inspection is done so you’re clear as to any damage or defect that may be reported while the rental property was still in your care.
Back at your new place, check the utilities first before anything else. If there’s anything wrong with the electrical connection or the water, better call the utility company immediately. Unpack your major appliances like your stove, dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, TV, PC, and so forth to check whether they haven’t been damaged during the relocation. Then take off the protective plastic or canvas sheets off the furniture to check for scratches and other damage. Look inside the box of your china ware and other fragile stuffs and check for any possible cracks. Make a mental note of the things you’ll have to do later to repair or replace all of your broken belongings.
Give your new place a thorough cleaning before arranging the furniture and appliances. Pay special attention to the bathroom, the kitchen, the bedrooms and the clothes closets. Check all the doors and windows to make sure that you are secure inside during your first day at your new home. Unpack the beddings and make the beds. Especially if your trip was long and hard, you or some of the other members of the family may want to recharge a bit with a few hours of sleep before continuing with the work ahead.
Unpack the clothes, the kitchen tools, the dining ware and everything else and place them in their proper closets and cabinets. Rearrange your furniture and appliances. Dispose of your waste packing materials. Give your new home another round of cleaning. Get to know your next-door neighbors. Go around your new neighborhood to check for the nearest shops and grocery stores, restaurants and other eating places, the police station, clinics and hospitals. If you have kids, check for the best routes you can take for dropping them off to their new school on your way to your new workplace.
