Moving Day Must-Dos: The Repairs You Should Make Before Unpacking a Single Box

Congratulations, homeowner! You’ve survived the mortgage paperwork, the nerve-wracking negotiation, and the sheer chaos of packing. You’ve crossed the threshold, dropped that heavy box labeled “Misc. Crap” on the floor, and are now standing in your beautiful, empty new home. The silence is deafening, and the possibilities are endless.

But before you start dreaming about paint swatches and where the sofa will go, listen up. There is a golden, once-in-your-home’s-lifetime opportunity staring you in the face: empty rooms. This is the perfect moment—before furniture blocks every wall and closets are bursting at the seams—to tackle those quick repairs that will make your life easier for years to come. Think of it as a strategic investment in future-you’s sanity.

First Fixes for a Flawless Fresh Start

You’ve just done the final walkthrough, and while the house is sound, you likely noticed a few minor things. A scratch on the wall from the previous owner’s move-out. A closet door that sticks. A bathroom faucet with a frustrating drip. These are the things you swear you’ll get to “later.”

Spoiler alert: “Later” never comes. “Later” is when you’re trying to cook dinner, help with homework, and remember to water the plants. Now is the time to act. Here’s your pre-unpacking hit list:

Patch and Paint Those Walls: This is the big one. Those little holes, dings, and scuff marks are magnets for your eye once the room is furnished. Right now, the rooms are empty. You can patch drywall, sand, and paint without moving a single piece of furniture or worrying about splatters on your rug. A fresh coat of paint in a blank room is a quick, transformative project that becomes a monumental pain after you’re settled.
Deep Clean the Uncleanable: Get on your hands and knees and scrub those baseboards. Wipe down the insides of every cabinet and drawer. Clean the windowsills. Do the gross chores that are nearly impossible to do thoroughly once your stuff is occupying every square inch. Your future self, who won’t be finding dust bunnies the size of tumbleweeds behind the bookcase, will thank you.
Conquer the Sticky and The Squeaky: That stubborn closet door that won’t close? The kitchen cabinet that sags? The interior door that squeaks like a scene from a horror movie? Now is the moment. A simple adjustment of a hinge or a screwdriver can silence the squeaks and align the doors, preventing daily low-grade frustration. It’s a 10-minute fix that pays off in peace every single day.
Scrutinize the Bathrooms and Kitchen: Check under sinks for any signs of moisture or slow leaks. Tighten any loose faucet handles or toilet paper holders. Ensure all the drains are flowing smoothly. Addressing a minor plumbing issue now is infinitely easier than dealing with water damage after you’ve filled the vanity with towels and toiletries.

How Early Repairs Prevent Moving-In Frustrations

Tackling these tasks immediately isn’t just about checking boxes; it’s about setting the tone for your life in this new house. It’s about starting with a clean slate, literally and figuratively. You’re preventing the “I’ll get to it eventually” list from ever being born.

More importantly, you’re preventing frustration. Every time you have to jiggle that sticky door or look at that hole in the wall, it subconsciously chips away at your joy in your new home. Knocking these items out upfront means your first memories will be of a house that works perfectly for you, not one filled with tiny, nagging imperfections.

It’s the difference between moving into a house and moving forward in your home.

Your Moving Day Miracle Workers

We know what you’re thinking: “This is a great list, but I’m exhausted. I have a million boxes to unpack and a life to reassemble. When am I supposed to do all this?”

This is where your secret weapon comes in. Instead of adding these tasks to your own overwhelming to-do list, call Fix St. Louis. We are the pros at knocking out this exact list of pre-move-in repairs quickly and efficiently. While you’re handling change-of-address forms and finding the coffee maker, we can be:

Patching drywall and repairing those unsightly dings.
Fixing sticking doors and sagging cabinets so everything opens and closes smoothly.
Handling minor plumbing issues like leaky faucets and running toilets.
Installing new hardware, towel bars, or toilet paper holders.
Tackling electrical tasks like installing ceiling fans or replacing outdated light fixtures.
Pressure washing the exterior or deck so your new home is sparkling inside and out.

We can transform your empty house into a perfectly primed and functional home, ready for you to unpack and enjoy without a single nagging repair on your mind.

Why We’re the Uniquely Perfect Fit for Your Fresh Start

You need a partner you can trust to get it right the first time, especially when you’re on a tight moving schedule. As detailed on our site, Fix St. Louis is built for this.

We show up on time and clean up when we’re done. We know your time is precious, especially on moving day. Our small, dedicated teams are employees, not subcontractors. They are background-checked, trained, and take pride in treating your new home with respect. We provide upfront, honest pricing because the last thing you need is a surprise bill during an already expensive time.

We are the hassle-free solution to ensure your move-in is nothing but smooth sailing. So, take a deep breath in that empty living room. Make the one call that will make everything else easier. Contact Fix St. Louis and let us handle the “must-dos” so you can focus on the “get-tos”—like finally unpacking that box labeled “Misc. Crap.”