The Checklist Every Person Should Use Before They Move

Moving in any capacity requires preparation in order to make the process as smooth as possible. That’s why it’s no surprise that nearly every moving company out there will repeatedly emphasize the importance of having your belongings ready to go when moving day arrives. Not to mention that being prepared can help the day go a little smoother and much more successful.

The problem is that many of those moving checklists have a seemingly endless number of steps, making it difficult to not feel overwhelmed. That’s why we’ve put together a simple checklist with the most important steps and a prioritized timeline that can help you be ready by the time moving day arrives. Moving within the window of our proposed timeline? Don’t worry, feel free to adjust it to fit your timeline.

8 weeks before your move

• Schedule an in-home or video survey with a reputable moving company, such as Suddath^®
• Decide on which moving services you plan to take advantage of in addition to the transportation, such as packing, auto shipping or any third-party services like art and furniture crating, pet relocation and cleaning services
• If you’re relying on your moving company to pack for you, it’s a good idea to identify everything you will move and any items you may want to discard
• If you’re packing yourself, start with the basement, attic, and outdoor items first, as these items won’t necessarily be needed before you move
• Note any home repairs or replacements that need to be taken care of before moving out and arrange for servicing
• Begin to purge and recycle odds and ends you no longer need; consider donating clothing and furniture or hold a garage sale

4–6 weeks before

• Continue packing, going room by room; don’t forget proper labeling includes what is inside the box and to which room the boxes will be going at destination
• Schedule your travel plans to your new home such as booking flights and hotels or getting your car tuned up for the road trip
• Now is a great time to have any draperies or rugs cleaned so they are fresh for your new home
• File your change of address with the U.S. Postal Service
• Schedule PTO at work for moving day and any other days you need for prep
• Set funds aside to pay for your moving expenses; if you’re moving for a new job, remember to keep all receipts as these are tax deductible expenses

2 weeks before

• Collect and create a folder for all of your important documents so they are easily accessible:
  • Birth certificates
  • Marriage licenses
  • Titles and registrations for your vehicles
  • Insurance papers
  • Bank records
  • Medical records
  • School records
  • Veterinary records
  • Receipts for high-value items
• Clean out your pantry or set aside any non-perishables for donation; movers often provide a service to collect and donate your non-perishables
• Separate valuables into a box that you may want to personally take with you
• Review this non-allowables list so you can properly dispose of items that are not allowed in the moving truck
• As you disconnect any electronics, it’s a good idea to label all audio, video and computer cables, use twist ties to keep them together, and take pictures for easy reassembly in your new home

1 week before

• Change the address on your personal accounts such as banks, credit cards and insurance, as well as any professional services you may use such as lawyers, accountants and doctors
• Begin changing over services such as cable and internet, lawn service and pest control
• Collect hidden, or extra spare house keys to leave with the new owners
• Ensure you have the phone numbers of your movers and current neighbors for any last-minute needs or questions
• Begin to gather the items you’ll need to keep with you on your way to your new home, like:
  • Phone chargers
  • Prescription medicine (refill it if need be)
  • Spare car keys
  • A few extra sets of clothes and toiletries
• Pack an “Load Last” box with essentials like:
  • Paper towels
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Light bulbs
  • Paper plates and utensils
• Don’t forget to schedule a play date for the kiddos and arrange for your pets to be in a safe place during your move

Moving Day

• Moving is tough work, have some healthy snacks and plenty of water for you and your family; your crew will greatly appreciate refreshments as well
• Conduct a final walkthrough in your old home to make sure you or the movers didn’t miss anything
• When your move is complete, make sure to double check the inventory your movers provided to ensure all of your household items made it to your destination

Looking for a checklist to keep handy so you can stay organized during your move? Download a printable moving checklist so you can relax and enjoy your new home without worrying about forgotten tasks. If you’re considering a move, contact us for a no-obligation moving quote.