Moving Timeline and Checklist

6-8 Weeks Before

Decide how you will move: DIY: You pack, lo ad, transport, unload, and unpack yourself. Hybrid: You rent the truck, movers do the rest.

Full Service: Movers do it all! Truck, driving, and heavy lifting..

Contact a moving company or truck rental service to reserve your moving dates. Get an estimate and don’t be afraid to compare rates.

Organize personal records such as insurance, dental, medical, and financial documents.

Start to use up things that cannot be moved and purge any items that don’t need to come with you.

4-6 Weeks Before

Alert post office, businesses, and subscriptions of your change of address.

Plan to cancel/transfer phone and utilities.

Prepare a list of people to notify of your move and new address.

Organize items by “keep, donate, and throw away”

Consider a garage or yard sale for unwanted items or donation pickup. If needed, schedule a dumpster or large item pick-up from your city for trash.

2-3 Weeks Before

Consider helping your children host a “going away” party.

Assemble packing materials (including boxes, tape, markers, knife, plastic wrap).

Pack up smaller and less often used items.

Buying new furniture? Choose and complete your purchases so they can be delivered to your new home.

You’ve found your new home and you’ve signed on the dotted line, but the work isn’t over! You can reduce the stress of moving by spreading out the important tasks in the weeks and months leading up to the move. We’ve created a timeline to help you consider and plan the actions and decisions you’ll need to make before moving day.

3 Days Before

Defrost freezer so it can dry for at least 24 hours if buyers will not be occupying immediately.

Set aside valuables and personal documents not to be packed on the moving van.

Prepare all your day-of essentials such as paper towels, toothpaste, tool kit, soap, toilet paper, bath towels, trash bags, snacks, and paper plates.

Pack an overnight bag with your moving day essentials such as clothes, toiletries, medications, and chargers.

Finish all mandatory cleaning of your old place. If you’re renting, it’s time to do a walkthrough to secure your initial deposit.

1 Day Before Moving Day

If you’re doing a DIY or hybrid move, pick up the rental truck.

If you’ve hired movers, relax! Leave mirrors and pictures on the walls for the movers to pack. Don’t forget to take sheets and blankets off the beds.

If you didn’t hire movers, begin the process of loading the truck with your belongings.

Take pictures of the back of your electronic devices to remember which wires go where.

Save all documents needed for tax returns.

Remain with movers until all of your goods are loaded.

Be sure to confirm your new home’s address and directions with the driver.

Leave a note behind with your new address and phone number so the new occupants can forward mail.