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The Complete Moving Checklist (and Survival Guide)
I’m just going to level with you, moving is going to be a horrible experience. It’s going to cost you more than you thought, you’re going to end up lifting far more boxes than you planned on (even if you hired movers), something is going to get broken, and someone is going to get upset because you forgot to pull out cash to tip the movers.
There's a lot to know about moving, which is why we've spent hundreds of hours compiling guides and resources for you. Keep reading for a detailed guide and checklist to help prepare you for your move.
Jump to our checklists for each period leading up to the moving day:
Read our reviews of top moving companies
3 Months Before Your Move
Just lower your standards right now. This is not going to be a perfect experience, but it still can be a successful one. Remember that you’ll have to take packing one step at a time. Allow yourself plenty of indulgences during this time.
Put the act of planning on your to-do list. Block off 30 minutes to an hour every day to make packing lists and take a look at the next few items on this list and plan ahead.
Moving, whether locally or cross-country, will cost more than you think most of the time. Work in some padding to your budget for unexpected things. For example, every single time I move, I make the mistake of packing garbage bags and cleaning supplies (will I ever learn?) and having to buy them the night of move-in. You’ll likely misplace or forget something too, set aside a few hundred dollars for these incidentals.
Find a mover and get it on the books sooner than later. Especially if you’re moving in the late spring or in the summer, the best movers get booked. Read reviews, ask friends for recommendations, and ask well-known moving companies as many questions as you please.
Some moving companies, for example, will not move any non-furniture item that is not in a box that’s been sealed or taped closed. Make sure you’re clear on their pricing (some charge by weight and mileage while others tack on additional fees for loading and unloading, which is a total racket). You may also have to insure your loading company, your moving van, and your unloading company. Get clear on this before you book.
Also, some states will require moving companies to have a USDOT (US Department of Transportation) number, so check with your state before hiring a company.
2 Months Before Your Move
- If you’re moving out of town, contact your healthcare providers and have them transfer your medical records to a provider at your destination. Remember to ask them to transfer your prescription refills as well.
- Call your kids’ schools and have their transcripts and academic records sent to their new district.
- If you have pets, call your vet and either pick up a physical copy of your pet’s records or ask for a referral and have them sent electronically to a new veterinarian.
- Ensure that your warranty deed has been delivered to the grantee or assigned recipient upon its recording.
You’re about to realize how much stuff you never knew you had. Go through your belongings and donate (or toss) anything you don’t need. Host a garage sale to get rid of your items or donate them to a local non-profit or church. If you find yourself needing to throw away large items like mattresses or furniture, check with your local municipality to see what sort of disposal (if any) is allowed.
Now that you’ve pared down, you have a better idea of how much you’ll be packing. You can buy boxes, or you can pick up some for free at a grocery store, liquor store, or library. Liquor boxes are great because they’re designed to haul really heavy bottles. Soon you’ll wish those boxes still had those really heavy bottles. Stock up on packaging tape, masking tape, bubble wrap, and markers.
While you’re at it, pick up a clear plastic box for your day-of essentials (things that shouldn’t go in a moving truck, like valuables and important papers).
30 Days Before Your Move
If you’re not going to need an item in the next month, pack it in a box. A few packing tips:
- Label the box with a marker by describing what’s inside the box and the room it should be put in in the new place.
- If you’re crazy, you can color code the boxes with stickers that correspond to its room in your future house (kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, attic, etc.). This will make the unloading process easier for you and show the movers how anal-retentive you are.
- If you’d really like to freak everyone out, number each type of box and keep a list or spreadsheet with all of the above information. This will be your inventory list that will help you keep track of all the boxes you have and make your spouse question whether they really even knew you at all.
Notify your utility services for both your current and soon-to-be houses and either cancel, transfer, or start new service contracts for your electricity, gas, internet, cable, trash collection, and sewer service.
Change your address either online or through your local post office. You’ll also want to move magazine subscriptions and banking addresses.
If you’re going to need time off to move, go ahead and request that. Be nice to yourself and add a buffer day after the move. Believe me, you’re going to hate moving day.
2 Weeks Before Your Move
Confirm that your movers know exactly when they’re supposed to arrive at your house and where they should park. If you’ve color-coded and made spreadsheets, warn them that you’re going to drive them crazy. You don’t want any last-minute surprises on the day of your move.
If you’re making a long-distance move, go ahead and get a tune-up. The last thing you want is a car breakdown in the middle of a move.
We both know you didn’t finish this two weeks ago. Do it now.
Because you’ll be packing dishes and kitchen things, consider picking up some plastic plates, cups, and silverware. We’re all about being environmentally responsible here, but the horror that is moving requires dire moves—it’s like the Revenant out here.
Set aside a couple of day’s worth of clothes and start packing toiletries (don’t forget meds) to get you through moving day and a couple of days after.
Days Leading Up to Your Move
Listen, unless you’re moving within twenty-five miles, that mayonnaise isn’t going to make it. Clean out the fridge.
Patch holes, paint if necessary, and clean your carpets and floors. If you’re renting, have your landlord or property manager do a walkthrough; just make sure you put the TV in front of that giant hole you made. Ask them exactly what you need to do to get your security deposit back. If you’re too exhausted or pressed for time to clean your home, hire a professional cleaning company to help you out.
If you haven’t planned to pay your movers with a credit card, secure a money order, cashier’s check, or cash for payment and a tip. A $20–$50 tip per mover is standard, but you can go higher for exceptional service or hunky movers.
Moving Day
Get at least eight hours of sleep to feel well-rested and energized on the big day. It’s going to be horrible.
Hold onto your batty inventory list to stay organized and make sure the moving truck that shows up is from the company you hired: the USDOT number painted on the side should match the number on the estimate you were given. If it doesn’t, I don’t know what to tell you. That’s probably a bad thing. Just run.
Be present to answer any questions the movers might have.
It’s polite to offer refreshments to your movers—have bottles of water and small snacks on hand. Consume them all before they arrive.
Before the movers leave, sign the bill of lading and secure a copy for your records. If you enlisted friends to help you move, just know that they definitely took off with something once they realized what a sucker they are.
The 5 Most Important Things to Remember
The moving process can take months for larger households, and hiring a mover for these projects can cost thousands of dollars. Thankfully, there are plenty of effective techniques to optimize your relocation and cut down on moving costs; here are just a few:
- Get multiple quotes: The moving industry is highly competitive, and the first moving company you come across will rarely be the best in your area. We recommend shopping for free quotes from multiple movers before deciding on one.
- Research movers beforehand: Unfortunately, not all movers are reputable, and some will try to scam you or mishandle your goods. Always check a company’s Better Business Bureau (BBB) score, licensing, and customer reviews before hiring.
- Do your own packing with used boxes: Packing services and moving boxes can be a considerable part of your moving expenses. You can cut these costs by doing your own packing with old boxes.
- Move during the off-season: Both moving companies and suppliers of moving supplies increase prices during peak seasonal periods. Mid to late summer is by far the busiest time for moving, so you can save money by planning your relocation for the fall or winter.
- Create a home inventory list: Home inventories are a comprehensive list of all the items in your home, categorized by room and size. Creating one of these lists does two things: one, it allows you to get a sense of just how much you have, allowing you to price the cost of your move more accurately. And two, it gives you a wonderful opportunity to downsize, reducing the amount of inventory that needs to be shipped.
If you’re planning on moving in the near future, or are looking for more tips on picking the right moving company, read some of our articles listed below.
Our Top Pick
Best Full-Service Mover
4.5
One month of free storage included with your move
Provides moves in all 50 states
Offers air & ocean freighting
Most Transparent Pricing
4.0
Flat rate pricing for all moves
Offers price matching
Expedited moves between big cities
Best Flat-rate Pricing
4.1
Customizable moving packages
Flat-rate pricing
Short and long-term storage solutions
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