The first things to buy and do when you move into a new house. From rekeying locks and testing smoke detectors to stocking cleaning supplies and setting up your emergency contacts.
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Security First
Rekey or replace all exterior door locks
Rekeying costs $50-$100 per lock through a locksmith, while new lock sets cost $25-$60 each at hardware stores. Previous owners, contractors, and real estate agents may all have copies of existing keys.
Rekey front door, back door, and garage entry
Change the garage door opener code if applicable
Test and update the security system if one exists
Contact the previous owner's security provider for a transfer ($0-$50) or cancellation. If starting fresh, a DIY system runs $200-$400 versus $500-$1,500 for professional installation.
Add exterior lighting to dark entry points
Motion-activated LED floodlights cost $20-$40 each and deter 50-70% of break-in attempts according to security studies. Install them above the garage, back door, and any side entrances.
Safety Equipment
Test all smoke detectors and replace if older than 10 years
Check the manufacture date on the back of each unit. You need one smoke detector per bedroom, one outside each sleeping area, and one on every level. Budget $15-$25 per unit for new ones.
Install fresh batteries in all existing detectors
Add detectors to any rooms that are missing them
Install carbon monoxide detectors on every floor
CO detectors are required by law in 37 states for homes with gas appliances, attached garages, or fireplaces. Place them at 5 feet off the floor and within 15 feet of each bedroom door.
Buy fire extinguishers for the kitchen and garage
Keep an ABC-rated extinguisher in the kitchen (mounted within 6 feet of the stove) and one in the garage. Replace or recharge extinguishers every 6-12 years per the manufacturer label.
Stock a well-equipped first aid kit
A 200-piece home first aid kit costs $25-$40. Add prescription medications, an EpiPen if needed, and a printed card with emergency contacts and your home address for babysitters or guests.
Basic Tools
Buy a homeowner's tool kit
Essential tools include a hammer, screwdriver set, pliers, adjustable wrench, tape measure, level, utility knife, and a cordless drill. A drill alone handles 70% of household fix-it tasks.
Get a cordless drill with a basic bit set
Buy a hammer, screwdrivers, pliers, and tape measure
Get a plunger, plumber's tape, and a drain snake
Buy a flange plunger for toilets and a cup plunger for sinks before you need them. A 25-foot drain snake ($15-$25) clears most clogs without calling a plumber ($150-$300 per visit).
Buy a step ladder or step stool
A 6-foot step ladder handles most tasks including changing ceiling lights, reaching top shelves, and painting. Aluminum ladders weigh 40% less than fiberglass but are not safe near electrical work.
Cleaning Supplies
Do a deep clean of the entire house before unpacking
Start top-to-bottom and back-to-front in each room. Clean ceiling fans and light fixtures first, then walls and windows, then floors last. Budget 4-8 hours for a 1,500 sq ft house.
Clean all cabinets, closets, and drawers inside and out
Sanitize all bathrooms, kitchen surfaces, and appliance interiors
Stock all-purpose cleaner, disinfectant, and floor cleaner
Match floor cleaner to your floor type—hardwood needs pH-neutral cleaner, tile handles stronger solutions, and vinegar-based cleaners damage natural stone. Check your flooring material before buying.
Buy a vacuum, mop, broom, and dustpan
An upright vacuum with a HEPA filter ($150-$300) removes 99.97% of dust and allergens. If you have both carpet and hard floors, get a model that switches between the two.
Kitchen Essentials
Stock pantry staples (salt, pepper, oil, spices)
Start with salt, black pepper, olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, and Italian seasoning. These 6 items cover most basic recipes. Buy full-size containers only after you know what you cook regularly.
Buy trash bags, paper towels, aluminum foil, and plastic wrap
Match trash bag size to your kitchen can—13-gallon is the most common size. Buy in bulk for 20-30% savings. A wall-mounted paper towel holder frees up counter space.
Get dish soap, a sponge, and dish towels
Keep 3-4 dish towels in rotation and wash them every 2-3 days. Microfiber towels dry dishes faster than cotton and are lint-free for cleaning glass and stainless steel.
Emergency Preparedness
Locate and label the main water shutoff valve
The main shutoff is usually near the water meter at the front of the house or in the basement. Turn it off and on once to make sure it works—a stuck valve during a burst pipe causes thousands in damage.
Label the valve with a bright tag or paint
Show all household members where it is
Locate and label the electrical panel
Map which breaker controls each room and write it on the panel door. This takes 20-30 minutes with a helper—one person flips breakers while the other checks which outlets and lights go off.
Post emergency contacts near the kitchen
Include your local fire department (non-emergency), police non-emergency, poison control (1-800-222-1222), your preferred plumber, electrician, and HVAC technician. A fridge magnet with this list is ideal.
Know where the gas shutoff valve is (if applicable)
The gas shutoff is typically on the pipe leading to the gas meter outside your home. You need a 12-inch adjustable wrench to turn it—keep one near the valve. Only shut off gas in an emergency.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I buy first when moving into a new house?
Prioritize safety and functionality: new door locks or rekeying ($80-$200 for a locksmith to rekey all exterior locks), smoke and carbon monoxide detectors ($30-$50 per detector), a fire extinguisher ($25-$50 for each floor), and a basic toolkit ($40-$80). After safety items, address immediate comfort needs — toilet paper, shower curtain, bath towels, bed linens, and cleaning supplies. Resist the urge to furnish every room in the first month; living in the space for 2-4 weeks reveals traffic patterns and needs you can't predict from a floor plan.
How much should I budget for furnishing a new home?
A realistic budget for furnishing a 3-bedroom home with quality mid-range furniture is $10,000-$25,000, though buying everything at once is unnecessary and often leads to regret purchases. Focus first on the "big five" — mattress, sofa, dining table, desk, and one good set of cookware — budgeting $4,000-$8,000 for these essentials. Facebook Marketplace, estate sales, and outlet stores can cut furniture costs by 40-60% compared to retail, especially for solid-wood dining tables, dressers, and bookshelves.
Should I rekey or replace the locks when I move into a new home?
Rekeying is strongly recommended within the first 48 hours of move-in since you have no way of knowing how many copies of the existing keys were distributed to previous owners, contractors, pet sitters, or neighbors. Rekeying all exterior locks costs $80-$200 through a locksmith, while replacing lock hardware entirely runs $150-$400 depending on quality. Smart locks with keypad entry ($150-$300 installed) eliminate the spare-key problem entirely and let you create temporary codes for house cleaners, dog walkers, and guests.
What cleaning should I do before moving furniture into a new home?
Deep clean the empty home before any furniture arrives — it's 10x easier to clean bare floors, cabinets, and bathrooms without furniture in the way. Focus on sanitizing toilets, disinfecting kitchen counters and cabinet interiors, cleaning inside all appliances (oven, refrigerator, dishwasher), and running the garbage disposal with ice and lemon. Professional move-in cleaning for a 2,000 sq ft home costs $250-$500 and takes 4-6 hours for a two-person crew.