1 Complete Moving Checklist from the People That do it Every Day
You've already found your new home, and now here's the hard part—moving. With proper planning, however, you may even find yourself enjoying the process! We have created a detailed moving checklist to help you have a smoother and happier transition. Let's dive in:
8 weeks before moving
Two months until the big day. Here is what should be on your to-do list:
Plan the layout of furniture and storage in your new home
To ensure that your new home meets your hopes and dreams for interior design, here are the activities to tick off your list:
- Take furniture measurements to ensure your furniture fits through the door of your new home.
- Measure the dimensions of the rooms in your new home and plan your furniture layout so that your stuff fits well.
- Put aside stuff that you want to sell, donate, or give away.
- Take a room-by-room inventory and photos of items to serve as evidence in case losses occur while moving.
Organize your checklist for moving and print it out
- Create a Google document or a moving binder to help you organize all your essential documents, such as receipts, relocation papers, inventory records, and contact lists.
- Note down all your appointments that relate to moving, such as inspection schedules or other key milestones.
- Create a record of all the moving estimates you get from moving companies. Take note of pricing structure and included services.
- Create and print out your moving checklist and move it to your binder.
6 weeks before you move
You now know the items you do and don't want to keep. What next?
Shop for packing materials
- Start collecting packing materials. Your moving company may offer different types of packing materials. At College HUNKS, we offer all shapes and sizes of moving boxes, protective coverings and paper pads for your mattresses and furniture, packaging for fragile items, among others.
Pack your first boxes
- Organize your valuables so that you do not forget anything when moving.
- Determine which items you can pack now and what you can do later. Some of the things that you can pack right away are seasonal items, dishes that you use for special occasions, decorations and other items that you use less often.
- Start selling, donating, or giving away your extra items. You can contact College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving to help you get rid of stuff you don't need.
Research movers
- Create a list that describes your ideal mover. These include factors such as your moving dates, the size of your home or business, any specialty items such as large appliances or pool tables to determine your needs. The company you choose should check off your non-negotiable boxes.
- If you are not sure what truck size is best, the general rule of thumb is to go for a 10-12 feet moving truck for a one-bedroom apartment, 14-17 feet trucks for a two-bedroom apartment, and 20-26 feet trucks for a three-bedroom apartment or larger.[LM1]
- Read company reviews. Compare reviews from different sites while focusing on recent reviews as these reflect a company's current operations. You can also ask for referrals from friends and family.
- Visit company websites to find out the services they offer, how they price their moving services and if they are a good fit for your moving project. Also, check for professional licensing, insurance, and accreditation.
4 weeks before moving
It's now one month to moving. Your foot is almost out of the door! Here's what to do:
- Shop for essential items for your new home.
- Choose your moving company. Compare at least 3 companies to find one that fits your budget while offering exceptional services. You will have to provide general moving inventory to get a quote and book a moving date.
- Contact your utility providers to arrange for services in your new home.
2 weeks before moving
It's time to let others know that you are moving!
- Contact every business that may use your address, including financial institutions and insurance companies, and provide them with your new address.
- Register your forwarding address with United States Postal Services (USPS).
- Cancel any local memberships or subscriptions that you'll no longer need once you move. Arrange a visit with your doctor to refill your prescriptions. You can start looking for new memberships and a new doctor in your new home area.
- Call your moving company to confirm important moving dates.
- If you are the social type, organize a moving party and request your buddies to attend.
- Once the party is over, it's time to get down to some serious packing and box labeling. Leave some essentials boxes unpacked, such as the frozen groceries or dishes boxes, so that you can repack what remains of the last few days to moving day. You can also plan your meals so that you know what to pack or not pack yet.
A week before moving
The actual moving spirit has set in.
- Start disassembling furniture items.
- Clean and conduct minor repairs to make your home more attractive to its new owners. If you’re renting, this can help prevent deductions from your security deposit.
- Get everyone in the family to pack their suitcase and have a separate overnight bag for essential items if you plan on staying in a hotel for a few days.
- Have some cash on hand to cover for emergencies.
It's moving day!
The day is finally here…
- Wake up early. You may have more to do than you think.
- Clear a path to avoid accidents when moving.
- Take pictures of your empty home to prove that you left it in good condition.
- Ask your movers for a copy of their inventory list for accountability if an item disappears.
- If you feel obliged, offer water or snacks while they work or leave a tip for excellent service!
After moving
You are finally in your new home. The hassle is over…or is it? There's still some polishing up to do.
- Change the locks to your new home! You don't know how many people may have access..
- Prepare some spare keys for every family member.
- Start unpacking and arranging stuff in your new home.
- Start planning a house-warming party which you can hold about 2 weeks after moving.
- Keep your moving binder safely stored. You may need to refer to it the next time you'll be moving.
- Review your moving company. Say thank you to your movers and help others find the same service you experienced by sharing a review.
The moving process doesn't look too stressful now, does it? If you wanted a detailed moving checklist, we hope this moving guide will help you transition smoothly from your old home to the comfort of your new home.