Moving to a new house can be thrilling but also stressful due to the numerous tasks involved, making you feel overwhelmed and unsure of where to start. But don’t worry — whether you’re relocating across the country or just down the street, residential movers can help ease the process. To make your move as smooth as possible, we’ve created the ultimate moving checklist.
This guide will help you stay focused and avoid mistakes, allowing you to enjoy your move.
8 Weeks Before the Move: Get Organized
Moving starts well before you pack the first box. At least two months before your moving day, start planning the logistics.
- Create a moving binder: Use this binder to keep track of everything, from receipts and estimates to an inventory of your belongings.
- Research and hire residential movers: Get quotes from different moving companies and pick the one that suits your needs and budget. Check their experience, licenses, and insurance to make sure they’re reliable.
- Purge unnecessary items: Moving is the perfect opportunity to declutter your home. Sell, donate, or toss anything you no longer need. This will reduce the number of things you have to pack and can save you money.
- Notify important parties: Contact utility companies, banks, and any other essential service providers to notify them of your move. Schedule a date to transfer or shut off services, so you’re not left paying for utilities you no longer need.
- Start packing non-essentials: Begin packing items you won’t need in the next two months, such as seasonal clothing, holiday decorations, or rarely used kitchen gadgets.
6 Weeks Before the Move: Make Arrangements
At this stage, it’s time to start making specific plans for your moving day and tying up any loose ends.
- Gather packing supplies: Get plenty of boxes, tape, bubble wrap, and markers. Many moving companies can pack your stuff for you, making your move easier.
- Take measurements: Ensure your furniture will fit through doorways and hallways at your new home. If not, you might need to disassemble certain pieces.
- Begin packing room by room: Pack one room at a time, labeling each box with its contents and the room it belongs to. This will make unpacking much easier.
- Make travel arrangements: If you’re moving long-distance, book your travel, including flights, car rentals, and accommodations if necessary.
4 Weeks Before the Move: Tackle the Details
As the moving date approaches, it’s time to handle some of the finer details.
- Confirm with your movers: Make sure to confirm all details with your moving company to ensure everything is going as planned.
- Pack valuable items separately: Create a separate box for important documents, jewelry, and other valuables. Keep this box with you during the move.
- Take care of pets and plants: If you’re moving with pets, now is the time to make arrangements for their transportation or boarding. For plants, research how to safely move them or make arrangements to leave them with friends or neighbors.
2 Weeks Before the Move: Get Serious About Packing
The two-week mark is when things start to get real. This is when you’ll want to finish packing most of your belongings and tie up any last-minute logistics.
- Start packing up your kitchen: Leave only the essentials like a few pots, pans, and utensils. Everything else should go into boxes. Packing services can also be a lifesaver during this busy time, as they can handle your fragile items or entire rooms quickly and safely.
- Clean out your pantry and fridge: Begin using up perishable items and avoid buying new groceries that will go to waste.
- Label and organize boxes: Label each box with what’s inside and where it goes. This will help your movers unload your stuff more easily.
- Confirm utility changes: Check that your utility transfers or cancellations are set up, so you’re not left in the dark (literally) on moving day.
1 Week Before the Move: Final Touches
With just one week to go, it’s time to start preparing for the big day.
- Pack a moving essentials bag: Include toiletries, a change of clothes, important documents, and any other necessities you’ll need for the first few days in your new home.
- Disassemble large furniture: If you have any furniture that needs to be taken apart, now’s the time to do it.
- Confirm the details with your movers: Make one final call to your moving company to double-check the moving time, place, and any specific needs you mentioned.
- Do a final clean: Clean your home, or schedule a cleaning service if needed, to leave your old place in good condition.
Moving Day: Go Time!
The big day is finally here! If you’ve followed this checklist, your move should be stress-free.
- Supervise the move: Be present to answer any questions your movers might have and make sure everything is loaded and unloaded correctly.
- Do a final walkthrough: Before leaving your old home, do a final check to ensure nothing is left behind.
- Settle into your new home: When you get there, tell your moving team where to put each box in your rooms. Start with the things you need right away, and then sort out the rest.
Post-Move: Make Your New House a Home
After the chaos of moving, take a few days to settle in and relax.
- Unpack gradually: Don’t rush to unpack everything at once. Start with the most essential areas like the kitchen, bathroom, and bedrooms.
- Update your address: Make sure you update your address with the post office, DMV, and any other important contacts.
- Enjoy your new home: Congratulations! You’ve officially completed your move. Now it’s time to enjoy your new space and make it your own.
By following this ultimate moving checklist and working with experienced residential movers like AFA Movers, you can ensure a smooth and organized move.
Whether you need full packing services or just reliable transport for your belongings, AFA Movers has you covered. With our team of professionals, your moving day will be hassle-free. Contact AFA Movers today for a personalized quote, and let us help make your next move stress-free!Ready to move? Call us now or visit our website to get started.
