Moving Checklist and Tips

We’ve all been there, so we all know that moving can be an extremely stressful endeavor. Beyond packing up your home and carting heavy boxes and furniture back and forth, organizing your move and making sure you’ve done everything you need to can be a real headache.

That’s why it’s helpful to have a moving checklist on hand when you’re getting ready to switch homes. A good moving checklist will also come with plenty of moving tips to ease the transition. Below, we’ll cover everything you need to do to make your move as stress-free as possible.

Follow this moving checklist and take advantage of some of these tips, and you’ll have the smoothest moving experience possible.

How Can I Move Out In Two Months?

Two months is plenty of time to move out. In fact, it’s the most recommended timeframe. When your moving date is still two months out, it’s a good time to begin planning your move. Start researching and get estimates from different moving companies to find the best option.

You’ll want to begin collecting boxes and planning out the next few weeks. Ideally, you’ll select a mover or rent a moving truck at this time, and might even start packing items that you rarely use but intend on keeping. Now is also a good time to begin sorting through unwanted items and thinking about what you’ll discard before the move.

What Should I Do Four Weeks Before Moving?

Four weeks before moving is when things start to get more involved. Here are a few tasks to get started on:

• Start packing: If you haven’t already, begin boxing up rarely used items. This might be out-of-season clothing or media like books and DVDs.
• Figure out travel and housing: If you’ll be driving your car to your new home, you’re all set. But you might need to schedule a car shipping service if you’re traveling in a different way, and now’s a good time to do that. Book your tickets if you’re traveling by plane, and make sure you’ve found temporary housing in your new location, if you won’t be immediately moving into a new house.
• Confirm your moving arrangements: Call your moving company and check in to confirm that all details of your move are exactly what you want. If they’re not, you can usually make adjustments to them at this point without incurring any additional fees.
• Plan for difficult disposals: Some items, like hazardous materials and large pieces of furniture, require special forms of disposal. Research how to get rid of these materials if you’re not planning on selling them, and schedule the proper pick-ups.

What Should I Do Three Weeks Before Moving?

Three weeks out, you’ll be dealing with a number of details, but that doesn’t mean it needs to be stressful. You’ll want to:

• Update your mailing address: On the USPS website, you can update your address and even choose the date on which you want your new address to go live. If you have an extra minute, now’s also a good time to update your bank account and credit card billing addresses.
• Get in touch with your service and utilities providers: Notify your service providers that you’ll be moving, and let them know the last date on which you’ll need their services. This might include housekeeping staff or landscaping services, as well as your internet provider and water, gas, and electricity companies.
• Order new furniture: If you’re going to need new furniture for your home, now’s the time to place an order. Shipping furniture can take a while, and some furniture companies build their pieces to order, so informing them of your purchase now will ensure you won’t have to wait around in an empty house once you’ve moved.

What Should I Do Two weeks Before Moving?

Things are heating up, and there’s plenty you’ll want to get done two weeks before moving, including:

• Make sure you’re free: Request time off from work if you haven’t already. If you can’t miss work on the day of your move, arrange for a friend or family member to be there when the movers arrive.
• Plan for parking: Make sure once you arrive at your new address with the moving truck, that there’s a place to park it nearby. Depending on where you live and how long the move will take, you might have to apply for a special parking permit. If there’s no parking near you new location or you no longer need a daily vehicle, then vehicle storage is a great alternative.
• Forward your medical records: Get in touch with your doctor and ask them to forward your medical records to your new doctor — if you don’t have a new doctor yet, now’s a good time to ask them if they could recommend one. While you’re at it, find a pharmacy close to your new home and transfer your prescriptions there.
• Plan storage arrangements: If you’re not ready to send everything you’ve packed directly into your new home, you’ll need to find a storage space somewhere near your new neighborhood that meets your needs. EZ Storage offers a great self storage solution, no matter what size storage unit you need.

One Week Before The Big Move

With the big day on the horizon, it’s time to tie up loose ends. You’ll want to:

• Give your house a final clean: Clear out the fridge and pantry and make sure there’s no serious mess left behind when you’re finally moved out.
• Get in touch with the landlord: You’ll probably need to inspect your house with the landlord if you’re renting, so now’s the time to arrange that. If there are any damages you want to discuss with the landlord, bring them up now.
• Pack essentials: Every family member should have a suitcase full of items, like clothing and toiletries, that they’re comfortable living with for roughly a week.
• Finish packing: Go ahead and start disassembling big pieces of furniture while you’re finishing up packing. Start to think about how to organize your move, including which boxes you want to go in the truck first, and which you want to go in last.
• Tie up loose ends: If you have any errands that still need to be run — you might need to cancel a gym membership, or pick up a shirt that’s been dry cleaned — now’s the time to do them. While you’re at it, make sure that someone (maybe a neighbor) will take care of your trash and recycling if you’ll already be moved out by trash day.

What Do You Need To Do On Moving Day?

Follow this mini-checklist to make sure moving day goes as smoothly as possible:

• Wake up early: Get a head start on the day and make sure there’s a clear path through your house for the movers.
• Prep refreshments: Have water bottles ready for the movers, and also some snacks — pizza or donuts can be a great idea, and coffee’s always welcome if you’re getting started early in the morning.
• Tip your movers: Don’t forget to tip your movers if you’re using them — it’s a great way to show your appreciation for all the heavy lifting they’re doing.
• Do a final sweep: Run through your house one more time to make sure you’re not forgetting anything essential.
• Sign the paperwork and hand over your keys: Your movers should have an official inventory list, so make sure to check that and sign off on it, as well as signing your official contract. After that, all that’s left to do is to hand over your keys to the landlord or your home’s new owners.

How Can I Make Moving Day Easier?

If you’ve planned accordingly and stuck to your moving checklist, moving day itself should be straightforward. Make sure you have cash on hand to tip your movers, and prep snacks and essentials bags for the trip. Have a final to-do list ready to make sure you’re leaving your old home in good condition.

Printable moving checklist

If you don’t want to be checking your phone or computer every second while you’re moving, you can find a clear and easy-to-use printable moving checklist here. Marking items off as you complete them will give you a feeling of accomplishment, while helping you stay on track.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What should you not pack when moving?

Moving is a great time to sort through your clothes and bedding and sell, donate, or toss items that are old, worn-out, or that you simply don’t use anymore. Consider doing the same with your bathroom items, which are easily replaceable, as well as older furniture, appliances, and media like books and movies.

What should I pack first when moving?

Ideally you should be packing things you don’t use frequently — that means out-of-season clothes, art and family pictures and other decorations, and any vases, pots, or other knick knacks you have lying around.

How long before moving should you start packing?

The moving process itself should take between 6 and 8 weeks, and ideally you should begin packing about 3 weeks before your actual move date.

How do you declutter before moving?

It’s all about your mindset. Sort things by category, not room, to make it easier to discard things. From there, ask yourself helpful questions, like, “Does this spark joy?” Or, “Am I ready to pack, move, and unpack this item?”

How can I make moving houses less stressful?

The best way to cut down on moving stress is to give yourself enough time (a full move should be a 6-8 week process) and to stay organized. Finding a good moving checklist and sticking to it will eliminate a majority of your moving stress.

What should you not forget when moving house?

Remember the important things! This includes documents, like birth certificates, that are hard to replace, as well as any valuables and medicines. From there, don’t forget smaller electronics, like chargers for your laptop and phone.

What month is the cheapest to move?

The summer months (May through August) are the most expensive, so if you can move between late September and April, you’re likely to encounter lower rates in general.

-->