Moving timeline: Interactive week by week moving checklist

Moving checklist – Two months before Moving day

Ideally, your moving preparations should start about two months prior to the Big day. This way, you’ll have the time to complete every single task in the long list of things to do when moving.

Weeks 7 & 8 before the move

• Get to know your new area (if you’re moving to a new city). Gather as much information as possible about the economic situation, cost of living, climate, housing options, crime rate, educational opportunities, cultural practices and other specifics of your future area;
• Start searching for an appropriate new home for you and your family. If possible, visit your new area to choose your new property in person;
• Start organizing your belongings and decluttering your home for moving. Sort your items in four categories – things to bring along, things to donate, things to sell, and things to throw away. Make a moving inventory of the items you’re going to take to your new home;
• Research your moving options and decide if you’re going to move by yourself or hire professional movers to help you relocate. Make sure you fill out a moving quote to see what different moving companies have to offer, so that you can make an informed decision about your move;
• If you’re going to use professional moving services, start looking for affordable and trustworthy moving professionals – ask for recommendations, read moving reviews, visit moving companies’ websites, etc.;
• Get estimates – narrow down your choice to three or four moving companies that seem to best suit your needs and requirements and ask them for in-house estimates of the moving costs;
• Choose the best movers for you. Provide the moving company representatives with all the relevant information (show them everything you want to relocate, discuss possible obstacles, special requirements, delivery windows, etc.) in order to get accurate moving cost estimates, compare the offers (prices, services, and conditions), and be careful to avoid moving scams when choosing your moving partners.

Weeks 6 & 5 before the move

• Book your move and confirm all the details (pick-up and delivery times, payment method, insurance, etc.) with your chosen movers;
• Make a moving binder and keep all moving-related documents in it. It may be a good idea to put all your documents in the same binder (in separate sleeves or pockets) as well;
• Set up a moving budget to organize your finances and keep better track of your expenses;
• Inform your current employer of your move and arrange your first day of work at your new company in your new area (or start looking for a new job);
• If you’re moving out of a rented property, notify your landlord of your upcoming move and negotiate a move-out agreement;
• Collect yours and your family’s medical records and your children’s school records. Start looking for a new family physician and a new school for your kids (if relevant);
• Organize a garage sale or post online those of your unwanted items that you’d like to sell;
• Request a list of the non-allowable items your movers won’t load on the moving truck because of their hazardous or perilous nature and decide what to do with them (discard them, give them away, relocate them yourself, or use them up before the move);
• Get packing supplies. See if you can get any moving boxes and other packing materials for free and buy whatever else you need. Make sure you have high quality packing supplies for your more delicate and more valuable possessions.

Moving checklist – One month before Moving day

It’s time to set your moving preparations at full speed (just remember to frequently consult your checklist for moving into a new house to make sure you don’t miss a moving task).

Weeks 4 & 3 before the move

• Donate your unwanted items that are still in good condition (things you don’t want to sell or couldn’t sell) to local charities. Don’t forget to get receipts showing the items’ approximate value for possible tax deductions;
• Change your address with the USPS and inform your bank, insurance providers, lawyers, and other important people and institutions of your new address;
• Transfer utilities (arrange to have electricity, gas and water running in your new home on move-in day) and cancel memberships and subscriptions;
• Take your pets to the vet for a complete check-up and collect their immunization records and health certificates. Make travel arrangements for your animal friends;
• Plan your trip to your new home. If you’re driving to your final destination, get your car serviced and plan for meals and lodgings on the way (if needed). If you’re flying to your new city, book your flight and find a trustworthy auto transport company to ship your vehicle;
• Start packing. Pre-pack rarely used items, specialized equipment, out-of-season clothing and decorations, and everything else you’re not going to need before moving day;
• Set aside the items that will be packed in your essentials box and the valuables you’re not going to entrust to the movers.

Two weeks before Moving day

• Contact your moving company to make sure everything is going according to plan and discuss any last-minute details;
• Pay up any bills or debts you may have. Return library books and anything you have borrowed from friends or neighbors. Collect any items you have left for cleaning or repair;
• Say your goodbyes. Visit all your favorite places in town and organize a farewell party to get all your friends together one last time;
• Pack the storage areas in your home, as well as most of your artwork, decorations, books, office supplies, and hobby materials;
• Reserve a parking place for the moving truck close to the entrance of your home, as well as an elevator (if you live in an apartment building) for the time of your move;
• Start using up your food supplies and get rid of any remaining items that are not going to your new home.

One week before Moving day

• Get on with packing. Pack most of your clothes and shoes, kitchen items, jewelry, kid’s games and toys, and other bric-a-brac;
• Make sure you have all the necessary documents and get a lockbox to keep them safe during the trip to your new home.

Two days before Moving day

• Finish packing. Pack any remaining miscellaneous items and double-check your home to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything;
• Pack your first-night box and all the items that are going to travel with you. Keep them separately from your other belongings to make sure they won’t be accidentally loaded on the moving truck;
• Pack your electronics and prepare the furniture and appliances you’re going to take to your new place for moving.

Moving checklist – Moving day

You will need your focus more than ever when the Big day knocks on your door. Keep your moving checklist at hand to keep a cool head during this culmination period of your relocation adventure.

• Get ready for the big day. Have a good night’s rest and get up early in the morning to have enough time for last-minute tasks;
• Ensure moving day safety. Take measures to protect your old home from damage and to prevent accidents and injuries while your items are being taken out of the property and loaded on the moving truck. Keep kids and pets away from the moving chaos;
• Meet the movers and give them all the necessary information, so that they can perform your move in a safe and efficient manner. Provide some snacks and drinks if it will take them more than 3-4 hours to finish the job. Do not forget to tip them if you’re happy with their services;
• Give the truck driver the accurate destination address and your phone number, so that they can reach you if necessary;
• Give your old house or apartment a final cleaning, take a last look around, lock the door, and start on your journey to your new home.