Things to Do After Moving Into a New House in Minnesota or Wisconsin

The move is almost over, what’s next?

The truck is unloaded. Here’s what to do next, from inspecting your belongings and closing out your paperwork to getting settled in your new home.

If you are looking for a local moving company in your area, you have probably heard the term “apartment movers.” There are many benefits to using an apartment mover like Matt’s Moving for your move rather than doing it yourself.

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The move isn't quite finished when the truck pulls away

Once everything is inside your new home, it’s easy to feel like the hard part is over. And it mostly is. But there are a few important steps to take before the crew leaves and in the days right after that protect you, close out the move properly, and help you actually settle in without the chaos that catches most people off guard.

 This page covers what to do after movers leave, how to inspect your belongings, how billing works, what the claims process looks like if something went wrong, and a practical checklist for getting comfortable in your new home fast.

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What to Do Right After the Movers Leave

The last 30 minutes before the crew departs are the most important part of the post-move process. Here’s what to focus on before they go and in the hours right after.

Before the crew leaves, do a full walkthrough and review your inventory. This is your opportunity to confirm everything arrived and note any concerns before paperwork is signed.

Here’s what to go through before you sign:

  • Walk every room and confirm all items have been delivered
  • Check furniture for visible scratches, dents, or damage
  • Open boxes that contain fragile items if anything looks off
  • Note any concerns directly and in writing on the completion paperwork
  • Take photos of anything that appears damaged

Do not rush this step. Once you sign without noting an issue, filing a claim becomes significantly more complicated. If something looks wrong, say so before the crew leaves.

After your move is complete, Matt’s Moving calculates how much you owe based on the actual services provided. You’ll then be billed for the remaining balance. There are no hidden costs, and your moving specialist will have walked you through pricing during the estimate process, so the final number shouldn’t come as a surprise.

Get a copy of your final invoice and keep it with your move documents. If you have any questions about the bill, address them before the crew departs.

Document it immediately and before you sign anything. Take photos, note the damage in writing on your completion paperwork, and notify the crew while they’re still on site. Matt’s Moving includes $1.20 per pound valuation coverage with every move, which is double the industry standard of $0.60 per pound. Optimal Plus Move Protection is available as an upgrade for additional coverage. Your signed paperwork outlines the claims process and timeline, so review it carefully and contact Matt’s Moving promptly if something needs to be addressed after the crew has left.

Contact Matt’s Moving as soon as you discover it. Document the damage with photos immediately and have your move paperwork accessible, including your bill of lading and inventory list. Claims have filing timelines, so don’t wait. The sooner you reach out, the easier the process.

Following this timeline will ensure you’re more than prepared when moving day finally comes!

First Things to Do After Moving Into Your New Home

Once the crew is gone and the paperwork is done, the focus shifts to actually settling in. The first day or two will feel chaotic no matter how prepared you were. Having a plan for what to tackle first makes it manageable.

Start with your essentials box. Everything you set aside before the move, toiletries, chargers, medications, a change of clothes, basic kitchen items, is in that box for exactly this moment. Unpack it first and you’ll immediately have what you need without digging through anything else.

From there, prioritize by room. Get the bedroom functional first so you have somewhere to sleep. Then the bathroom. Then the kitchen. Once those three rooms are livable, the rest of the house can come together at a reasonable pace over the next few days.

Going from Move Prep to Moving Day

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Whether you’re planning a second move, helping a family member relocate, or looking at commercial moving services, Matt’s Moving is ready to help. We’ve moved 200,000+ customers across Minnesota and beyond in 15 years. Our moving specialists can put together a free, no-obligation quote for any size move across the Twin Cities metro and beyond.

Matt’s Moving serves Minneapolis, St. Paul, Minnetonka, and communities throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

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Matt’s Moving has a 4.5 star or above average on many review sites including Google, Yelp, and Facebook. If you had a great experience, taking two minutes to leave a review makes a real difference.

If something didn’t go as expected, contact Matt’s Moving directly first. It’s almost always the fastest way to get something resolved.

 

Common Questions After Moving Into a New House

It’s hard to fully prepare for the move, so consider these questions before getting started.

Claims timelines vary depending on your valuation coverage type and applicable regulations. Your bill of lading outlines the specific deadlines that apply to your move. The general rule is to act quickly. Document any damage with photos as soon as you discover it and contact Matt’s Moving without delay. Waiting reduces your options significantly.

Flatten and recycle cardboard boxes, or post them on local community groups where people planning moves are always looking for free boxes. Bubble wrap and packing paper can be saved for future use or passed along similarly. If Matt’s Moving provided wardrobe boxes, those are typically retrieved after the move. Ask your moving specialist about the process when you schedule.

Before you leave your old home for the last time, do a final walkthrough of every room, closet, cabinet, and storage space. Check the garage, basement, attic, and any outdoor areas. Turn off lights, lock all windows and doors, and return keys as required. If you were renting, a clean, empty space gives you the best chance of getting your full deposit back. Notify your old utility providers that you’ve moved and provide a forwarding address for any final bills.

Start with the USPS mail forwarding service at usps.com, which will redirect mail to your new address while you update everything else. Then update your address with your bank and credit cards, employer and HR, insurance providers, the Minnesota DMV for your driver’s license and vehicle registration, the IRS, and any subscription services or recurring deliveries. If you have children, notify their school. If you’re registered to vote, update your voter registration through the Minnesota Secretary of State.

If you haven’t already tipped the crew at the end of moving day, it’s not too late to reach out. Tipping is not required but is genuinely appreciated when the crew did good work. There’s no set standard, but most people tip per mover based on the size and difficulty of the job.

WHY MATT’S MOVING IS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER MOVING COMPANIES

We are faster, friendlier and affordable. We also have a higher valuation coverage (move protection) than other local moving companies. Our residential movers are professionally trained to a high standard in the move industry.

We Are More Than Just Local Movers

We also offer packing materials and supplies at an affordable price for local residential moves, commercial moving services, and we provide long distance moving service for residential moving customers.

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