Knowing what to do when you move into a new house is half the battle. The boxes are barely unpacked and the to-do list already feels overwhelming — but most of what needs doing in a new house falls into a short list of quick, doable fixes. None of these require professional help, and doing them in your first few weeks will make you feel a lot more in control of your home.
You don’t know who has a key to your new home. Previous owners, their family members, contractors, house cleaners — any of them might have a copy. Rekeying your locks costs about $20-30 per lock at a hardware store (they sell rekey kits) or $75-150 if you hire a locksmith to do the whole house. Do this before you feel settled. It’s peace of mind you can’t put a price on.
2 — Replace Smoke and CO Detector Batteries
Test every detector in the house. If it’s been there a while, replace the batteries even if they still work. If the detectors are more than 10 years old (check the manufacture date stamped on the back), replace the units entirely. Smoke detectors are $12 each. CO detectors are $25-30. Non-negotiable.
3 — Find and Label Your Breaker Box
Open your electrical panel and figure out what each breaker controls. Label them if they aren’t already — use a piece of tape and a marker. This takes 20 minutes and will save you enormous stress the first time something trips. While you’re there, make sure no breakers look damaged or feel warm.
4 — Locate the Main Water Shutoff
Know where this is before you need it. It’s usually in the basement, utility room, or on an exterior wall near the front of the house. Turn it to make sure it actually works — old shutoff valves sometimes seize up and won’t close. If yours won’t budge, have a plumber free it up before you need it in an emergency.
5 — Change the HVAC Filter
The filter in your furnace or air handler should be changed every 1-3 months depending on the type. The previous owners may not have done it recently. Find the filter slot, note the size printed on the filter, buy a replacement at any hardware store, and swap it. Takes two minutes. Improves air quality and keeps your system running efficiently.
6 — Check Every Toilet for Running Water
Flush every toilet and listen. If you hear water still running 30 seconds after flushing, you have a running toilet. Put a few drops of food coloring in the tank — if color appears in the bowl without flushing, the flapper is leaking. Both are easy fixes but can waste a lot of water if left unattended.
Look at the caulk line where the tub or shower meets the wall. If it’s cracked, peeling, or has black mold in it, remove it and recaulk. This takes about an hour and costs $5 in materials. Failing caulk lets water into the wall behind the tile, which leads to mold and structural damage over time. Fix it early.
Run water in every sink, tub, and shower for a minute. Watch how quickly it drains. Slow drains are almost always hair and soap buildup near the drain opening — a $5 drain snake from the hardware store clears most of them in 10 minutes. Fixing them now is much easier than ignoring them until they fully clog.
9 — Check Window and Door Weatherstripping
Open and close every exterior door. Feel for drafts around the frame. If you can see daylight around the door when it’s closed, the weatherstripping needs replacing. A door sweep and foam weatherstripping together cost about $15 and install with just scissors and adhesive. Do this before your first heating or cooling season.
10 — Walk the Exterior After Rain
After the first good rain, walk around the outside of your house and look for water pooling near the foundation. Water should flow away from the house, not toward it. Also check your gutters — if they’re overflowing, they’re clogged. Clean them out or have them cleaned. Water management is one of the most important things a homeowner can stay on top of.
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