The Ultimate Moving Checklist 

Moving is no easy thing. It can be stressful, and difficult and there is a lot that can go wrong. This is especially true if you are moving for the first time. 

Having a checklist when moving can help make sure everything is in order throughout the entire moving process. 

In this article, you are going to learn everything you need to do before, during, and after you have moved. 

The Ultimate Moving Checklist

Eight Weeks Before the D-Day

So, you have eight weeks to go, right? While this may sound a lot, it isn’t. There are a lot of things you’ll need to do to make the process hassle-free. 

Planning the move well in advance can help minimize your stress levels and help you avoid common pitfalls. The following are some of the things you should begin doing. 

1. Store important documents related to your move. The documents can include receipts, quotes, and records. You can store them either offline on a folder, for example, or online on any cloud storage platform like Google Drive. 

2. Decide whether you want to go the “Do It Yourself” (DIY) route or the professional route. If you choose to go the DIY route, then brace yourself for some hard work. But if you choose to go the professional route, then make sure to hire a licensed and professional moving firm. 

3. Allocate a budget for moving expenses. Make sure it’s decent enough to ensure that the moving goes on as smoothly as possible. 

4. Understand the contract properly before signing on the dotted lines. While the jargon in the text may seem intimidating, it’s important to understand every detail before committing. 

5. Allocate yourself plenty of time on the D-day. There will be a lot for you to do during the actual move and you’ll need to dedicate all your time, to ensuring everything stays on course. 

6. Start searching for the right schools in the area you are moving to. Although changing schools is almost always challenging, finding a good school for your kids in a new area can often be even more challenging. 

7. Declutter your home. Getting rid of clutter before moving will help you save both time and money during the actual move. So, from the bathroom to the kitchen to the bedroom and office, decide what is worth keeping and what is not. 

8. Have a plan on how you intend to move fragile or special items. Such items may include things like safes, pool tables, fine art, pianos, and guns. Not all movers are qualified to handle such items, and you may need to hire specialty movers to handle them. That’s why it is important to know just exactly what the movers you’ve hired will and won’t move. 

9. Make sure you have hired a reputable moving company. That is one that is licensed, experienced, and insured in the state they are operating in. You may also want to verify their DOT (Department of Transportation) number. 

Six Weeks Before the D-Day

If moving outside the town, take the time to spend some time with your loved ones. You should even consider throwing a party. Have the opposite of a “House Warming Party.” So, instead of getting gifts, you should probably consider giving some stuff away. This should help with your decluttering efforts. 

With the party or dinner out of the way, begin organizing your stuff. 

10. Start to collect packing boxes. You can get these from groceries, and liquor and office supply stores. Bookstores can also prove helpful in this regard. 

11. Get to know some packing tips and tricks to help make your D-Day a success. This is especially key if you plan on packing your belongings by yourself. 

12. Mark all fragile boxes. The last thing you’d want is to pack textbooks alongside your grandma’s china.  

13. Photograph all your electronics before unplugging them. This will help make reconnecting them in your new house much easier. 

14. Repair all minor issues before moving out of your home. This is especially true if you are living in a rental apartment, as it can mean getting part or all your deposit back, or not. 

15. Service your vehicles. If you are moving across the country, the last thing you want is to have a breakdown in the middle of nowhere. 

16. Measure all entryways to make sure that you won’t have trouble with moving furniture. 
17. Form a habit of packing something every day. Leaving everything for the last day will only increase your anxiety and stress levels. 

Four Weeks Before D-Day 

With four weeks out, now is the time to begin taking matters a bit more seriously. Begin to gather crucial documents that you will need to bring with you to your new home. You will also want to make sure that you have given away or got rid of items you no longer have use for. 

18. Get “Moving Insurance”. This can help protect your belongings against damage during the move. Get several estimates before deciding on any particular one. 

19. Get parking permits. While a permit for the moving truck may not be required, it can help guarantee a parking spot to avoid landing parking tickets. Check your local parking regulations to help avoid issues. 

20. Gather all important documents and keep them in one place. Such documents may include legal, medical, and financial records, passports, and birth certificates. 

21. Return video game and movie rentals, as well as library books. 

22. If you are moving cross country, make sure to book hotels and plan your route. 

23. Transfer your data plans to the home you are moving to and schedule an appointment for the installation. 

24. If you haven’t tagged your pets, this is the time to do so. You may also want to use this opportunity to request copies of veterinary records and any pet medication. 

Two Weeks Before D-Day

With two weeks to go, moving day is fast approaching! This is the time to get all the important nitty-gritty taken care of. So, take the time to update records and accounts for your new address. 

The following are other things you want to do during this period. 

25. Create moving-related bills and receipts. This will help keep everything neat and properly organized. Keeping a list of your moving expenses can come in handy during tax time, as you may be able to claim some deductions. 

26. Get rid of all toxic substances. These may include poisonous items, flammables, and corrosives. 

27. Return items that you have borrowed from both friends and family. 

28. Prepare adequate meals to take you through two weeks. You also want to use up everything you may have in your freezer. 

29. Back up your electronic files. It isn’t uncommon for things to go awry during a move, and backing up your computer files can help save you some stress should something happen. 

30. Remove lighting fixtures that you intend to use in your new home. 

31. Create a list of preferred service technicians and providers that you have worked with in, the past. Finding reliable and professional technicians and providers isn’t always easy. So, save yourself some hassle and have some on your list for when you might require them. 

32. Hire a babysitter for your kids. With all the moving parts, it’s all too easy to take your eyes off of your child. Sadly, doing so (even momentarily) could prove devastating for your little one. So, do both you and your child a favor and hire a babysitter to look after your child. 

33. Don’t forget about your pets. Believe it or not, moving is stressful for everyone, including your furry friends. With everything that will be taking place, it’d be best to have them stay with someone else. Who would not want to dog-sit a Muffin, Fluffy, or Fido? 

34. Get to know the bus routes from your new home to your workplace. If you have your car, then consider getting yourself a good GPS. 

35. Inform banks, credit cards, loan providers, and the payroll department about your new address. You may also want to inform government offices, including the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Social Security Administration, and the IRS of your new address. 

36. Transfer your renters’ or homeowner’s insurance to your new home. 

37. Transfer or cancel your memberships. 

38. Transfer all utilities from your old home to your new home. That may include gas, electric, and water utilities. 

39. Update the address on your driving license. Many people overlook this, but every state requires anyone who changes their address to update it. 

40. Update the addresses on your active subscriptions. These may include subscriptions for newspapers and magazines.

41. If necessary, transfer your medicine prescriptions to a pharmacy near your new home. 

One Week Before D-Day

Only a few days are remaining to the D-day. It’s time to finish packing and organizing your belongings, and cleaning your home. 

42. Donate any food that you have leftover in your fridge. 

43. Redirect/cancel scheduled deliveries. 

44. Give your home a thorough clean. If you can’t do it yourself, hire professional services to do it for you. It can mean the difference between getting your security deposit back, or not, says Abilene Leasing & Property Management. 

45. Leave your fridge and freezer unplugged the night before to defrost. Lay a microfiber towel in front of it to help absorb the leaking water. 

46. Drain the pipes connecting to your ice maker or washing machine. 

47. Empty gas and oil from snow blowers, lawnmowers, heaters, and grills. 

48. Re-check the shelves and closets, making sure that you haven’t left anything. 

49. Prepare for the weather. Check weather forecasts during the D-Day and prepare accordingly. 

50. Prepare a box that contains all the essentials that you may need during your first 24 hours in your new house. 

51. Have a backup plan should anything happen and your movers cancel the move. A disaster may strike and your moving company may fail to show up. Although such a situation is rare, having a plan can help ensure your life goes on smoothly should it occur. 

52. Take photos of your new home. This will help document its condition before you move in. 

53. Clean the home you are moving into. 

On The D-Day

The D-day is finally here! All the eight weeks you have been preparing to move have finally led to this very day. With over 50 things checked on your move-out checklist, very little is left for you to do besides the nitty-gritty.

54. Wake up early. Set an alarm just to be safe. 

55. Call your movers and confirm the move. Take this time to verify how much the move will cost and the payment arrangements they accept. 

56. Buy some snacks and refreshments for your team. This can go a long way in motivating them. 

57. Have some cash on hand to tip your movers. After all, they have worked all day to ensure that your stuff gets to where it needs to be in one place. 

58. Keep some items with you in your car. They include cash, paper towels, tape measure, flashlight, jewelry, change of clothes, laptop and charger, phone and charger, medication, credit cards, checkbook, and any important documents. 

59. Make a final walk-through. Turn off lights, lock all doors and windows, and remember to return the key to your landlord. 

60. Send your real estate agent a simple thank you note. They are the reason why you have moved to your new house. 

In Your New Home

61. Pay the movers according to the arrangements you had with them. You may also want to tip the movers if they did a good job. 

62. Get to know the neighbors. Explore the local grocery stores, cafes, libraries, supermarkets, and restaurants. 

63. Send everyone who helped you move a thank you note. 

60% of people surveyed by a British energy company E. ON cited moving as the most stressful thing in life. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to reduce this stress. One of the most effective things to do is to plan your move using a checklist.