Moving Into Your New Construction Home in Florida: The Ultimate Move-In Checklist (Orlando & Miami)

Moving into a new construction home in Florida should feel exciting—not stressful. Whether you’re closing on new homes in Orlando or new homes in Miami, the best move-ins happen when you follow a simple plan and handle the details before moving day.

At Rey New Homes, I guide buyers step by step through the Florida real estate process—from choosing the right community to making sure your move-in is smooth and organized. Here’s the move-in checklist I recommend to my clients.

1) Before Moving Day: Your New Home Setup Checklist (Florida)

If you’re buying a new home (especially new construction), this is where you avoid 80% of the headaches:

Schedule a deep clean (even for a brand-new home)

New construction often has dust from finishing work. A deep clean makes your first day feel like a real “fresh start.”

Install what’s easier with an empty house

Do these before furniture arrives:

• TV mounts, shelves, curtain rods

• Smart locks, doorbell camera

• Garage storage racks

Create a realistic moving budget

A Florida move-in budget usually includes:

• moving truck + labor

• boxes + packing supplies

• small purchases you always forget (trash bins, shower curtain, tools)

This is especially important for first-time homebuyers in Florida who underestimate move-in costs.

2) Final Walkthrough Checklist for New Construction (Don’t Skip This)

Before you move in, your final walkthrough matters. This is your chance to confirm the home is delivered as expected.

Check these items:

• appliances installed and working

• A/C cooling properly (critical in Florida)

• water pressure, hot water, toilets flushing

• doors/windows opening smoothly

• paint touch-ups and obvious cosmetic issues

• outlets, lights, garage door function

If you’re buying new construction homes in Orlando or Miami, many builders also provide a home warranty—know what’s covered and where to submit requests.

3) Utilities & Services: Don’t Move In “Offline”

For a smooth move-in in Florida, set these up before you arrive:

• electric

• water

• gas (if applicable)

• internet (schedule install early)

Also update:

• mailing address

• bank + insurance address

• subscriptions and deliveries

4) Security on Day 1: Protect Your Florida Home Immediately

Even in a new home, I recommend:

• change or re-key locks (or install a smart lock)

• confirm smoke/CO detectors

• locate the main water shut-off and electrical panel

It’s simple risk management for any Florida real estate purchase—especially if you plan to rent or travel often.

5) HOA Community Rules in Florida (Orlando & Miami): What to Confirm

If your new home is in an HOA community in Florida, confirm move-in logistics ahead of time:

• moving hours and parking rules

• gate codes / guest access

• elevator reservations (for condos), if applicable

• any required move-in forms or deposits

HOA rules can affect everything from where the truck parks to whether you can move in on certain days—so it’s best to handle this early.

6) Your First Week in the Home: The Smart Owner Checklist

These small actions can save money long-term:

• replace or confirm HVAC filter status

• test GFCI outlets (kitchen/bath)

• label breaker panel and water shut-off

• confirm warranty contacts and builder service process

• verify insurance policy matches the property type (single-family, townhome, condo)

Rey’s Final Tip for a Stress-Free Move-In (Florida New Homes)

A clean move-in is not luck—it’s planning. If you’re buying new homes in Orlando or new homes in Miami, I can help you align everything: the right community, the right property, and the right move-in timeline.