Local moving checklist: Essential tasks for a local move

6 weeks before your move

Planning a local move is simpler than planning a cross-country move, so six weeks should be enough to organize your short-distance relocation.

• Start searching for an appropriate new home for you and your family (unless you’re moving because you’ve found the perfect new home, of course). Explore your new area, locate key places in the vicinity, find the local hotspots, and get a sense of the community life;
• Start decluttering your home for moving – get rid of damaged items, worn-out items, outgrown items, duplicate items, useless items, and items you don’t really like;
• Decide if you’re going to perform a self-move or use professional moving services. Make sure you fill out a moving quote before making your final decision – so you know how much it would cost you to hire local movers for your relocation;
• If you decide to use professional moving help, start looking for a reputable local moving company – ask for recommendations, read moving reviews, check the movers’ ratings with the BBB, etc.;
• Assess your finances and set up a moving budget.

4 weeks before your move

When moving locally, most of your moving preparations will take place in the last month before your relocation – and some of the most important moving tasks will need to be completed about 4 weeks prior to your relocation date:

• Ensure local moving help – If you’re going to hire professional movers, request on-site price estimates from three or four local moving companies that seem to best suit your relocation needs and requirements. Compare the offers (not only the prices, but also the services and conditions) and choose the best local movers for you. Book your move without delay; If you’re going to perform a DIY-move, let your friends know that you’re moving and ask them for help. Research the truck rental companies in your area and reserve an appropriate size moving vehicle for the day of your move;
• If you’re moving out of a rented property, notify your landlord and review your renter’s moving out responsibilities;
• Make a moving binder where to keep all your moving-related documents;
• If your new home is located in a different school district or in a different school zone, your children will have to change schools. Collect their school records from their current educational institution and apply to the new school;
• If your new home is located far from your old address and your doctor’s office, you may need/want to find a new family physician. Start looking for a good doctor in your new area and collect yours and your family’s medical records;
• Choose an appropriate property to buy/rent (unless you have already done so) and try to get the keys to your future home as soon as possible;
• Make a floor plan of your new home so you know which of your old items will fit in and what new items you’ll need to get for your new place;
• Decide which of your belongings you’re going to take to your new home and make a moving inventory of the items you intend to relocate.

3 weeks before your move

As moving day approaches, the tasks on your checklist for moving locally become more and more challenging:

• Change your address with the USPS and inform everyone you have dealings with of your new address;
• Get any necessary repairs to your new property underway (as well as any desired renovation projects);
• Hold a garage sale or list unwanted items for sale online;
• Get packing supplies – buy new moving boxes and quality wrapping and padding materials for your more valuable and more delicate items and see if you can get free packing supplies for the rest of your belongings (do not forget the packing containers (suitcases, bags, baskets, buckets, etc.) and cushioning materials (old clothes, sheets, blankets, towels, etc.) you already have at home);
• Start packing – pre-pack rarely used items, specialized items, out-of-season items, and everything else you won’t need until moving day.

2 weeks before your move

With a fortnight before the Big day, you need to finalize your local moving plans:

• Donate unwanted items you couldn’t sell (or don’t want to sell) to local charities;
• Transfer utilities – when moving locally, you’ll most probably only need to notify your current service providers of your new address. Have the utilities in your old home turned off on the day after moving day and the utilities in your new home turned on a few days before move-in day (so you have electricity and water when cleaning the place);
• Pack the storage areas in your home and most of your non-essential possessions (artwork, decorations, books, hobby materials, etc.);
• Set aside the items that will be packed in your essentials box and the valuables you’re going to take with you;
• Reserve a parking place for the moving truck in front of your current home and in front of your new one, as well as an elevator (if you live in or if you’re moving into an apartment building) for the time of your move;
• Arrange moving day child care and pet care (if applicable) – arrange for a family member (or a trusted friend) to take care of your children and pets on moving day. If that’s not possible, hire a babysitter.

1 week before moving day

The last week in your old home will be packed with emotions – and hard work:

• Contact your chosen local moving company to confirm the details of your move and make sure everything is going according to plan. If friends and family have agreed to help you on moving day, confirm that they’re still available and, if necessary, make alternative plans;
• Say your goodbyes – organize a moving away party for your neighbors and say goodbye to your old home;
• Start packing in earnest – box up everything you don’t need on a daily basis;
• Deep clean your new home (provided that the repairs/renovations are completed) and start relocating your pre-packed items (take a load in your car every time you go to your new place to perform a task there).

2 days before moving day

It’s time to complete your moving preparations:

• Finish packing – pack all your remaining items, including electronics and kitchen items;
• Prepare the furniture and appliances you’re going to take to your new place for moving – disassemble larger furniture (except for beds), disconnect, empty, and clean appliances, etc.;
• Pack your essentials box and all the items you’re going to transport yourself (valuables, non-allowable items, etc.);
• Deep clean your old home – you’ll have to give the place a final sweep after all your items have been loaded on the moving truck, but you can take care of the more time-consuming cleaning tasks (cleaning the windows, cleaning the bathroom, etc.) in advance.

Moving day

When moving locally, move-out day is also move-in day – so your moving tasks will be double:

• Get ready for the big day – have a good night’s rest, wake up early in the morning, put on comfortable clothes appropriate for the current weather conditions, and enjoy a cup of coffee and a healthy breakfast;
• Pack up the last of your belongings and disassemble any remaining furniture;
• Ensure safety – take measures to prevent property damage and avoid accidents and injuries on moving day. Keep kids and pets away from the moving chaos;
• Load your vehicle – take your essentials and valuables, as well as any hazardous and perishable materials the movers won’t load on the moving truck for safety reasons. Let house plants and pets stay in the home until the last possible moment;
• Meet the movers, show them around, give them all the necessary information, and review the required paperwork. Stay around, so your moving helpers can easily get to you if they have any questions. Provide some snacks and drinks if the moving job will take more than 3-4 hours;
• If you’re moving with friends’ help, let everyone know exactly what they’re supposed to do and supervise the process. Provide refreshments and make moving day as fun as possible;
• Give your old house or apartment a final cleaning;
• Do a final walk-through of your old home – check for forgotten items, make sure the heating/AC, water, and lights are off, close the windows and lock the doors;
• Get to your new place before the movers, check the delivered boxes against your inventory list, and have your items taken directly to the rooms where they belong;
• Pay for the moving services and tip the movers if they did a good job;
• Unpack your open-first boxes, set up your furniture, and connect the appliances;
• Take care of your kids and pets – take them to a safe, out-of-the-way room where they can rest and play without being disturbed by the moving-in process;
• Have dinner (order some food or warm up the food you brought with you), take a relaxing shower, and go to sleep.