Local Moving Checklist

Thinking about everything on your moving to-do list can be overwhelming, let alone accomplishing it all. There’s no need to create unnecessary stress by worrying about forgetting something—you just need a plan.

Here’s a Complete Checklist for Moving

This checklist from our local moving experts gives you the most important steps, prioritized with a suggested timeline. Don’t worry if you’re starting less than six weeks before your move date. You can customize this list according to your own timeline and add steps or leave out ones that don’t apply.

4-6 Weeks Before You Move

• Get an easy and simple moving quote from Daryl Flood Moving & Storage.
• Do a complete home inventory: what stays and what goes?
• Begin packing items you won’t need before move day (make sure to label)
• Start or complete a move out checklist of repairs, replacements and cleanup required by buyers or inspectors
• Donate items to charity and plan a garage sale
• Take a farewell family picture of your house before the move
• Begin discarding “non-allowables” that can’t be moved (flammable or dangerous)

3-4 Weeks Before

• Label all audio, video and computer cables and take pictures for easy reassembly
• Continue packing, going room by room
• File your change of address with the U.S. Postal Service
• Make arrangements for transporting plants and pets
• Contact utility providers and insurance companies
• Set up service transfers for cable and internet
• If you’re self-packing, gather supplies
• Collect items you’ve lent to friends and family
• Make moving day plans for kids and pets

2 Weeks Before

• Collect important documents that will travel with you, instead of in moving boxes:
  • Medical records
  • School records
  • Veterinary records
  • Birth certificates
  • Marriage licenses
  • Automobile titles + registrations
  • Insurance papers
  • Bank records
• Sketch a layout of your new home to show movers (or yourself) where to place heavy items
• Place items you’re taking with you together, where they can’t accidentally be packed up

Final Week Before

• Say goodbye to neighbors
• Remove all items from walls, including TV mounts
• Organize items you’re taking with you, like:
  • Cell phones and chargers
  • Prescription medicine
  • Car keys
  • Travel clothing and toiletries
• Collect items you’ve hidden, like spare house keys
• Pack an “Open Me First” box with essentials like:
  • Paper towels
  • Paper plates
  • Silverware
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Light bulbs
• Clean your current home as necessary
• Empty and defrost the fridge
• Plan meals as you pack up your kitchen
• Double-check areas such as attics, basements and garages
• Confirm destination address and contact info, finalize date and time with movers
• Review your pre-move email communications
• Finish packing all rooms

Moving Day

• Make sure walkways are clear of obstructions or safety hazards, such as ice
• Empty trash cans prior to moving crew’s arrival
• Leave garage door openers and keys for the next owner
• Place items that aren’t being moved in your vehicle prior to moving crew’s arrival
• Perform a thorough walkthrough with crew lead upon arrival
• Make sure someone is available to direct movers and answer questions
• Double-check all mover documentation like “bills of lading” and inventory lists
• Do one last walkthrough after everything is loaded into the moving truck
• Tell your friends about your positive experience and leave a review!

Some of the items on this checklist for moving may not apply to you, and you’ll want to add a few based on circumstances unique to you or your family. But based on our experience, this moving checklist should get you well on your way to a successful journey.

Read more of our moving tips and contact us anytime to schedule a free moving quote.