The Ultimate Moving Checklist: Everything You Need to Know Before The Big Move
Moving to a new house or apartment can be fun and exciting, but there is also a lot to remember throughout the process. Learning how to plan, purge, and pack is only part of the problem: Knowing the perfect time for each part of the move can overwhelm even the most seasoned home relocation veteran. That is why we at Roadway Moving have created “The Ultimate Moving Checklist” to serve as your moving guide.
Having our FREE printable moving checklist on hand throughout your move will not only keep you on track but also create a well-organized, stress-free moving experience!
The Stages of Moving
The various stages of moving are labeled according to when you need to take certain actions. Each stage requires you to take certain actions. Once you have bought the house, you need to schedule the following stages of moving:
- Immediate stages
- 6 weeks before moving day
- 4 weeks before moving day
- 1-2 weeks before moving day
- The moving day
Each stage requires you to fulfill certain actions to ensure a successful moving day. Let’s dive into what each stage requires you to do.
Immediate Actions Checklist
The quick action checklist is what you need to do the moment you decide you are moving. You need to decide the date you’ll move, which needs to be eight weeks later, to ensure you have time to get the following details hammered down:
- Get estimates from at least three moving companies- Once you fix your moving day, Get estimates, terms and conditions, and other details . Ensure you are clear with your expectations and needs before you sign any contract.
- Know and fix your budget – Take stock of your possessions and estimate the cost of moving them. Consult an accountant and an insurance agent to estimate the costs. You’ll find it helpful to fix and know your budget. You’ll be mentally prepared about the costs if you have a budget.
- Organize your documents- Get a binder or create a separate folder on your computer for moving. Include all your moving details in this file. The contracts, receipts, your house documents, your personal documents, and more. Keeping these files handy is important.
- Research your new area- Ensure you do proper recognizance of your new area. Find out where you’ll get your essentials, your doctor, vet, schools, grocery stores, and more. Bearing this in mind will make your first few weeks after moving stress-free.
- Transfer your records to the new place- You must ensure all your records are available at the new location. Your doctor records, school records, and more should transfer to the new place so that it’s hassle-free for you. So, start this process once you decide your moving date.
6 Weeks Before Moving Checklist
Six weeks before your moving day, you need to start taking stock of your things. You need to plan how to move your possessions, whether you need all your possessions and more. Here’s what you need to do:
- Go through your possessions
- Make a list of what you want you to want to move
- Get rid of unwanted items with a yard sale or donations
- Plan for moving your plants, valuable items and of course your pets if you have any.
- Try to finish using items that you cannot move. Items like food, vegetables, some groceries, and more.
- You must fill a change of address form at the USA Postal Service so that you don’t miss your mail.
4 weeks Before Moving Checklist
Four weeks before you move, you need to do some essential tasks to avoid surprises on your moving day. It includes more planning, strategizing, and action.
Buy your Packing Material
It’s best to start early, always. So, buy your packing material. You can hire professional packer’s services to help you with the packing to avoid buying your own packing material. Ensure you don’t have the burden of collecting and packing your entire house when you get started early. you can aslo hire a white glove packing & unpacking service to really make your life a breeze.
Change Address For Your Utilities
You need to ensure you change your address for phones, cables, internet, water, electricity, trash collection, and other utilities. Only if you notify them will you get the bills in your new address.
Get Your New Place Measured
Measure your new house to know the size and plan your possessions’ positions. Knowing the measurement of your new house will help you know how much space you have. You’ll find it easier to envision where what should go so that you direct your movers.
Apply For Your Leaves
If you are going to continue with your same job, you might want to apply for 2-3 days’ leave to settle in your new place. Plus, it’s best to take an off on moving day so that you can do it stress-free and without any hassle.
You’ll be able to focus on packing, loading truck rentals, moving, and setting up your new place.
Ensure Your Vehicle is Functional
You must service your vehicle and keep it. If it needs a tune-up, oil change, or anything, ensure it is done. Ensure you have fueled your vehicle for the move. This will help you avoid any surprises in your vehicle on your moving day.
1 – 2 Weeks Before Moving Checklist
It’s closer to moving day. You need to tie up all loose ends. Here’s the checklist that you need to fulfill 1-2 weeks before the move:
- You’ll need to inform the IRS, DMV, healthcare providers, schools, banks, gyms, and other governmental and professional services about your address change.
- Ensure you go over the moving arrangements with your movers. Ensure you get the right moving truck and talk about parking
- Start finishing items in your fridge and cleaning the fridge out.
- Ensure you drain the gas from all your power equipment
- Get all your prescriptions filled
On Moving Day
On a moving day, you need to act efficiently and get things done. Here’s what you must do on your moving day:
- Ensure all the things you need to move are properly packed and out of the house into the moving truck
- Check your house completely to ensure you haven’t missed moving anything to the moving truck
- Sign all the inventory forms and confirm your address and contact details to the movers you’ve hired
- Evaluate your new place for any damages and clean up possible hard-to-reach places.
- Ensure you pack an overnight bag for things you’ll need immediately after reaching your new place.
Wrapping Up
The moving checklist will help you keep track of what you need to achieve to have a flawless moving day.
Moving is exciting, fun, and something you wait for in anticipation. You need to ensure you have everything ready, organized, and deal with it.
A checklist is a key to a successful, stress-free, and efficient moving experience.
