Relocating to a new home is a monumental task that requires careful planning and organization. To help streamline your move and minimize stress, having a detailed moving checklist is crucial. This guide provides a comprehensive timeline with tasks to complete from two months before your move right up to moving day. Whether you’re moving across town or across the country, following these steps will ensure nothing is overlooked.
Here is a small moving guide for you to read right before getting to the checklist.
Two Months Before the Move
Research and Book Moving Services
- Start researching moving companies: Obtain quotes and check reviews to find a reliable service.
- Book your moving company: Secure a date with a deposit to ensure availability on your desired day.
Sort and Declutter
- Sort through belongings: Decide what to keep, sell, donate, or throw away.
- Hold a garage sale or list items online: This can offset some of your moving expenses.
- Donate unwanted items: Consider local charities that can put your items to good use.
Start Gathering Moving Supplies
- Purchase or collect moving boxes: Get various sizes and specialty boxes for items like TVs and wardrobes.
- Other supplies: Stock up on tape, bubble wrap, markers, and labels for packing.
One Month Before the Move
Begin Packing Non-Essentials
- Start with items you use infrequently: Seasonal clothing, rarely used gadgets, and extra linens.
- Label everything: Mark boxes with their contents and designated room in your new home.
Address Changes and Notifications
- Notify utility companies: Arrange to transfer or disconnect services like electricity, water, and internet.
- Change your address: Update your details with the post office, banks, and subscription services.
Take Care of Legal and Medical Tasks
- Transfer school records: If you have children, arrange for their records to be sent to their new school.
- Medical records: Request copies and transfer prescriptions to a pharmacy near your new home.
- Update insurance: Make sure your home insurance covers the move and update your address.
Two Weeks Before theke
Confirm Moving Arrangements
- Confirm details with movers: Double-check the date, time, and details with the moving company.
- Plan for pets and plants: Arrange how you’ll transport them safely to your new home.
Pack Most of Your Belongings
- Leave only essentials unpacked: Continue packing everything you won’t need until after the move.
Prepare Household Appliances
- Defrost the freezer and clean the refrigerator: Do this at least 48 hours before moving day.
- Prepare other appliances: Clean and prepare your stove, washing machine, and other appliances.
One Week Before the Move
Pack a Week’s Worth of Essentials
- Prepare an essentials kit: Include clothes, toiletries, medications, important documents, chargers, and snacks.
Confirm Logistics for Moving Day
- Time schedules and routes: Confirm the schedule with your movers and plan your travel route to the new home.
- Prepare payment for movers: Whether it’s a credit card or cash, prepare to pay for services rendered.
Moving Day
Final Checks and Packing
- Pack your essentials: Ensure your personal essentials bag is ready.
- Take final meter readings: Record readings of water, gas, and electric meters to pass on to your new home’s utility companies.
During the Move
- Direct the movers: Make sure boxes go into the correct rooms in your new home.
- Protect your old and new home: Use floor protectors and padding on doorways.
Post-Move Checks
- Inspect delivered boxes and furniture: Check for damages and ensure everything has arrived.
- Set up essential services: Start with assembling beds and connecting major appliances.
Following this moving checklist will help ensure that every detail is managed, reducing the chaos and stress often associated with moving. By breaking down tasks into manageable pieces, you’ll stay organized and in control throughout the entire moving process.