New House Essentials Checklist: Everything You Actually Need

Day one — before you sleep there

• ☐ New locks or rekeying — you don't know who has a key to the old locks
• ☐ Toilet paper — embarrassingly important
• ☐ Shower curtain and rings — if the bathroom has a tub
• ☐ Soap and hand towels
• ☐ Basic cleaning supplies — you'll want to clean before unpacking
• ☐ Paper towels and trash bags
• ☐ Shower curtain liner — separate from the curtain itself
• ☐ Toilet brush and plunger
• ☐ Dish soap and a sponge

First week — safety and function

• ☐ Smoke detectors — test existing ones, replace batteries, add if missing
• ☐ Carbon monoxide detector — essential if you have gas appliances or an attached garage
• ☐ Fire extinguisher — one per floor, minimum one in the kitchen
• ☐ First aid kit
• ☐ Flashlight and extra batteries
• ☐ Basic toolkit — hammer, screwdrivers (flathead and Phillips), tape measure, level, pliers, utility knife
• ☐ Drill and drill bits — you'll hang something within a week
• ☐ Stud finder
• ☐ Step stool or ladder
• ☐ Surge protectors
• ☐ Extension cords

First month — household operations

• ☐ Furnace filters — once you know the size (see Part 2)
• ☐ Vacuum cleaner
• ☐ Mop and bucket
• ☐ Broom and dustpan
• ☐ Laundry detergent
• ☐ Light bulbs — get a variety pack, you'll use them
• ☐ Batteries — AA, AAA, 9V
• ☐ Drain covers — showers, tubs
• ☐ Door stoppers
• ☐ Command strips and picture hooks
• ☐ WD-40 and super glue — you'll thank yourself later
• ☐ Duct tape
• ☐ Weatherstripping — check doors and windows

Kitchen

• ☐ Can opener
• ☐ Cutting boards — separate ones for meat and produce
• ☐ Knife set
• ☐ Mixing bowls
• ☐ Measuring cups and spoons
• ☐ Pot and pan set
• ☐ Baking sheet
• ☐ Colander
• ☐ Dish rack or dishwasher-safe containers
• ☐ Oven mitts
• ☐ Refrigerator water filter — if your fridge has one, replace it on move-in

Outdoor (if applicable)

• ☐ Garden hose
• ☐ Hose nozzle
• ☐ Snow shovel — if relevant
• ☐ Ice melt / rock salt
• ☐ Lawn mower
• ☐ Rake
• ☐ Outdoor trash cans
• ☐ Doormat

HVAC and home systems

• ☐ Furnace filter size — pull out the existing filter and read the size off the frame (e.g. 16x25x1). Full guide here.
• ☐ Furnace model and serial number — on the data plate inside the furnace cabinet
• ☐ AC unit model number — on the exterior unit, usually on a label on the side
• ☐ Water heater model, serial number, and age — on the label on the tank
• ☐ Water heater type — gas or electric, tank or tankless
• ☐ Main water shut-off location — find it before you need it. Usually in the basement, utility room, or outside near the foundation.
• ☐ Electrical panel location and amp rating — usually in the basement, garage, or utility room. Note the total amps (100A, 200A).
• ☐ Breaker map — if the panel doesn't have one labeled, spend 20 minutes making one
• ☐ Gas shut-off location — if you have gas appliances
• ☐ Last HVAC service date — ask the previous owner or check any paperwork

Appliances

• ☐ Refrigerator model number — inside the fridge, on the walls or ceiling
• ☐ Dishwasher model number — inside the door frame
• ☐ Washer model number — inside the door frame or on the tub
• ☐ Dryer model number — inside the door frame or on the drum
• ☐ Oven/range model number — inside the door frame or bottom storage drawer
• ☐ Warranty status on all appliances — ask the previous owner for receipts or check manufacture dates on labels
• ☐ Refrigerator water filter type — if applicable, note the filter model number

For exactly where to find model numbers on each appliance, see this guide.

Paint and finishes

• ☐ Paint color for each room — ask the previous owner. If they don't know, check if there are leftover paint cans in the garage or basement with the color on the lid.
• ☐ Exterior paint color — brand, name, and color code if possible
• ☐ Trim color
• ☐ Deck or fence stain color and product — if applicable

If you can't find out, don't panic — there's a way to identify it. Here's how.

Contractors and service history

• ☐ HVAC technician the previous owner used — they'll already know your system
• ☐ Plumber they used
• ☐ Electrician
• ☐ Roofer — especially if the roof is newer
• ☐ Any recent repairs or renovations — permits, contractors, dates
• ☐ HOA contact — if applicable
• ☐ Pest control history

See how to organize contractor contacts so you never lose them.

Utilities and accounts

• ☐ Electric provider and account number
• ☐ Gas provider and account number
• ☐ Water provider and account number
• ☐ Internet provider setup
• ☐ Trash and recycling pickup days
• ☐ Mail forwarding from previous address

Safety and emergency prep

• ☐ Test every smoke and CO detector
• ☐ Create an emergency exit plan — especially important with kids
• ☐ Save local emergency numbers — non-emergency police line, nearest hospital, poison control
• ☐ Note nearest urgent care and ER
• ☐ Save your utility company emergency lines — for gas leaks and outages

Address updates

• ☐ USPS mail forwarding
• ☐ Driver's license and vehicle registration
• ☐ Voter registration
• ☐ Bank and credit card accounts
• ☐ Insurance policies (health, auto, life)
• ☐ Employer records
• ☐ Amazon, subscriptions, online shopping accounts

Maintenance schedule to set up immediately

• ☐ Furnace filter reminder — set a calendar reminder every 90 days
• ☐ HVAC annual service — schedule it now for next fall or spring
• ☐ Gutter cleaning — twice a year, spring and fall
• ☐ Smoke detector battery replacement — annually
• ☐ Water heater flush — annually if you have hard water
• ☐ Dryer vent cleaning — annually