A Moving Checklist You Don't Want To Miss

As most people know, moving is stressful. Studies have reported that moving is one of the most stressful life events because of the number of tiny details involved in moving to a new home. But, don't worry we are here to help! We have put together a STRESS-FREE checklist to make sure you have everything in order from the beginning to the end.

Moving into a new place should be an exciting time for you! With some direction and this 8-week guide to your upcoming move, you’ll be sure to have everything done between now and the big day, leaving you plenty of time to celebrate.

8 weeks before you move checklist:

1. Create a “moving” file or folder on Google Drive to store quotes, receipts, and records related to your move. For example, how much is Dan the mover quoting you? Was that price for 10 or 15 boxes? You’re not going to be able to remember all of the details. So throw them in a document for easy reference.
2. Schedule in-home estimates with a reputable moving company, which can of course be us! :) If you plan on doing the move yourself, you can always rent one fo our trucks!
3. Create a realistic budget for moving expenses. We know you want to hire professional movers, but that new sectional and that wine fridge, but priorities, right?
4. Read over documents from your movers before signing anything. Don’t let contracts intimidate you by learning about the documents you’ll be receiving ahead of time. We can’t emphasize enough how important this is, there’s a reason it’s #4 on our list.
5. Request time off work for moving day. If you can, plan to take off and move on a Friday. That gives you the rest of the weekend to get yourself organized. Nice tip, right?
6. If you have kids, choose a school for your kids. Need a little help in the research department? Great Schools can help you choose the best school in your area.
7. Again, if you have kids, request transcripts for your kids from their old school for their new school. Regardless of how far you are moving, the new school your child attends will need these. Arrive prepared so your kid(s) don’t get left behind.
8. Moving to a new place is a time of cleanse. Plan a garage sale and sell things that are no longer needed in your life and donate what you couldn't sell! Channel your inner Marie Kondo.
9. If you have large bulky or fragile items please plan for this a head of time. This includes, pianos, fine art, pool tables or safes. We do offer services to help move these items if you end up using us for the move!

6 weeks before you move checklist:

1. Make time for friends and relatives before moving day. Squeeze in a few last memories is your current home by throwing a simple dinner party. It doesn’t have to be elaborate to do the trick.
2. Collect free boxes from restaurants liquor, grocery, and office supply stores. You can also pay a visit to your local bookstore. They have more boxes than they know what to do with and will be more than happy to hand them over for free. If you don't have time for this either, we sell some boxes as well :)
3. Research packing hacks to make moving day easier.
4. Label your moving boxes using different colored stickers/tape for each room. This will make your life a ton easier when you’re all moved in and ready to start unpacking.
5. Create an inventory sheet of all your valuables before they go on the moving truck. Also, keep a private list of which boxes you packed your valuables in.
6. Mark moving boxes that are fragile. You don’t want textbooks stacked on top of your grandmother’s china.
7. Take photos of all electronics before unplugging them. This will help jog your memory when you’re reconnecting things such as your TV and stereo.
8. Put all your hardware in labeled baggies for easy furniture reassembly.
9. Gather socks, t-shirts, towels, and linens to use as free packing supplies. Wrapping water glasses in dish towels? Why didn’t we think of that!
10. If you’re moving into an apartment, find out if there are any moving day requirements.
11. Address minor home repairs before moving out. If you live in an apartment, this might be the difference between getting your security deposit back, or not.
12. If you’re moving cross country, have your vehicles serviced. The last thing you want is to deal with a breakdown mid-move!
13. If your move requires shipping your car, don’t leave anything in it! Spare tires and jacks might go missing.
14. Measure doorways, stairways, and elevators to make sure all your furniture will fit. Measure twice – move once!
15. Research your new community for points of interest. Find your new favorite hangout spot or restaurant! Yelp and Foursquare are great places to start.
16. Last but not least for this section, pack a little every day. You don’t want to find yourself packing all of your belongings the night before.

4 weeks before you move checklist:

1. Purchase moving insurance to cover all your belongings during the move.
2. Confirm parking options for your moving truck – you may need a permit for moving day. If you’re planning a DIY move, you’ll want to look into the cost of renting a moving truck. Request a Penske truck rental quote for estimates on pricing.
3. Use or donate items that you can’t pack or sell, such as frozen foods, bleach, and aerosol cans.
4. Gather all financial and legal records in one place.
5. Gather birth certificates and passports for everyone in your home. Then, carry important documents on your person during your move.
6. Find a landscaper and snow removal service in your new neighborhood.
7. Return your library books.
8. Pick up clothes from the dry cleaner.
9. Compile medical, dental, and optical records for everyone in your home.
10. If you’re moving out of town, find a new doctor, dentist, and vet in your new neighborhood.
11. Update your voter registration!
12. If you’re moving long distance, plan your route and book hotels.
13. Transfer your cable and internet plan to your new home and schedule your installation appointment. Slots fill up fast!
14. Make sure your pets have ID tags for their collars.
15. Request copies of vet records and get any necessary pet medication.
16. If you’re moving out of the country, make sure your pets have all necessary vaccinations.
17. Make a moving day playlist to enjoy while moving and unpacking.

2 weeks before you move checklist:

1. Create a moving file to organize your moving-related receipts and bills. You’ll want to keep a list of moving-related expenses to claim as a deduction at tax time.
2. Recycle or dispose of corrosives, flammables, and poisonous items. Make sure you’re disposing of toxic items properly.
3. Prep two-weeks worth of meals and use everything in the freezer. Check out some great meal prep ideas!
4. Return borrowed items from friends and family.
5. Back up your computer. If something goes awry during your move, you’ll be thankful you have everything saved in an alternate place.
6. Set up trash removal and recycling for your new home, and cancel your current service.
7. Remove light bulbs from all lamps you plan to move.
8. Moving far? Clean out your safe deposit box and any lockers you might have at a gym or community center.
9. Fill your prescriptions.
10. Prepare a list of emergency service technicians and preferred providers. You don’t want to be googling plumbers while your toilet is overflowing in your new home.
11. To keep little ones safe during a move, line up a babysitter or make arrangements for a play date.
12. Find somewhere safe for pets to go during your move. Look into doggy daycare or ask a friend to watch them for a day – who wouldn’t love to dog sit Fido, Fluffy or Muffin?
13. Use Google Maps to find your way to work by car or public transportation.
14. Send out moving announcement. There are plenty of creative ways to share your new address.
15. Change your address with loan providers, credit cards, banks, and the payroll department at work. Also, remember to order new checks.
16. Forward your mail.
17. Change address for Social Security benefits within 10 days of moving. Make sure to notify government offices, including the Social Security Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, and the IRS.
18. Transfer your homeowners or renters insurance to your new home. Here’s what happens to your homeowners insurance policy when you move.
19. Cancel or transfer your membership at the gym, yoga studio, Crossfit facility, etc.
20. Update your address for newspaper and magazine subscriptions.
21. Transfer your utilities including water, electric, and natural gas.
22. Update your driver’s license.
23. Update your address with Amazon and any monthly subscriptions boxes you receive.
24. Change your address for your auto insurance and car registration.
25. Clean outdoor furniture before it's moved.
26. Transfer your prescriptions to a new pharmacy, if necessary.

The week you move checklist:

1. Donate unopened food by asking your moving company if they work with Move For Hunger.
2. Make sure you canceled and/or redirected scheduled deliveries. Remember that pair of shoes that was on backorder? Make sure they get shipped to correct address.
3. Clean your current home for the next resident.
4. Unplug your fridge and freezer to defrost the night before. Make sure you lay a towel in front of it to absorb any water that leaks.
5. Drain water hoses to your washing machine and ice maker.
6. Empty oil and gas from grills, heaters, lawn mowers, and snow blowers.
7. Leave a note or small gift for new residents.
8. Make sure nothing is hiding on shelves or in closet corners.
9. Before conducting a final walk through with your landlord, fill nail holes with a bar of soap. Check out some DIY tips here.
10. Watch the weather channel and prepare for rain or snow.
11. Pack an essentials box with everything you’ll need for your first 24 hours in your new home.
12. Make a worst-case scenario plan in case your movers run late.
13. Take photographs of your empty place to prove it’s in move-out condition.
14. Withdraw cash to tip your movers.
15. Clean your new place. A lot of times, the previous homeowners are only required to sweep their house or apartment. Don’t you want your new place to be in tip-top shape and sparkling from head to toe?

Moving day checklist:

1. Rise and shine! Set an alarm and get up early on moving day.
2. Protect your floors and carpets during the move.
3. They’ve worked hard for you all day, so tip your movers.
4. As soon as your movers leave, make your bed and unpack your shower curtain and toiletries. This makes a nap and a shower so much easier. And let’s face it, it’s the first thing you’ll want to do post move.
5. Get to know your neighbors!
6. Go grocery shopping. At this point, you’ve eaten enough take out. Having food in the house will also prevent you from unnecessary spending.
7. Don’t have curtains or shades yet? Cover your windows with sheets for privacy for your first night. This will help you sleep more comfortably, trust us.
8. Thank your real estate agent or broker. They’re the reason why you’ve moved into your beautiful new home. A simple thank you note goes a long way.

One Week Post Move Checklist

1. Leave a detailed review of your experience with your moving company! Hopefully with us! :)
2. Post leftover moving boxes or unwanted furniture on Craigslist. Or, give them to someone you know is moving.
3. Clean the carpets in your new home.
4. Sweep your chimney before you use it.
5. Make sure your home’s address is visible from the street.
6. Install a new home security system.
7. Explore your new neighborhood – local shops, supermarkets, libraries, cafés, grocery stores, and restaurants.
8. Send thank you notes to friends and family who helped you move.

As you can see there are a lot of tiny details and things that go into a move. We wanted to make sure you have ALL the info before that big day happens!

We would like to thank Updater for starting this epic moving checklist so that we could share on our own site.