Written by Level Home Staff
Whether you’re moving into a new home across the country or down the street, it's stressful. On top of the physical labor, moving can bring up many feelings like loss, anxiety, and excitement. It can also be a lot of hard work mentally to stay organized, plan, and manage moving expenses.
Take a load off your shoulders and make your move more efficient with our comprehensive moving checklist. Read on for to-do timelines, reminders, tips, and more to help you as you pack and move.
Packing up your belongings for a move can feel overwhelming, but with a good plan and organization it can be much smoother. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
Start by setting a moving date and work backward to create a manageable timeline. This will help you stay organized and ensure you don’t forget any important tasks leading up to the day you move. Remember, you don’t have to do everything at once. Break down your timeline into weeks or even days to make it more digestible.
Once you have your general timeline, start creating a list of important to-do’s and any deadlines you need to be mindful of, such as scheduling utility shut-offs or applying for parking permits. We recommend including tasks like notifying your landlord and booking a moving truck, though what you put on your list may be more or less detailed depending on your unique situation.
Before you start packing, take some time to declutter your belongings so you won’t have to take things with you that you no longer want. Reducing your clutter before you begin packing is a great way to lighten the load – literally – of moving and also make unpacking in your new home much easier.
Think of it like spring cleaning. Start by going through each room and decide what you want to keep, donate, or throw away. Consider having a garage sale or using online platforms to list and sell items you no longer need. If you’re moving across the country or over a long distance, it might make sense for you to sell or donate large items (like cumbersome bookshelves or tv stands) and re-purchase them in your new town. Use your discretion when deciding what will come with you during the move, don’t feel pressured to get rid of things that have sentimental or other value to you.
As you declutter, take a mental note of what belongings you will be packing to bring with you to your new home. Doing so can help you figure out how many boxes, bags, and other packing supplies you need to get.
Now, the last step before actually beginning to pack for your move is to make sure you have all the necessary packing supplies on hand. This includes the basics like boxes of various sizes, packing tape, bubble wrap, scissors, box cutters, and markers for labeling, as well as protective things like mattress covers.
You can buy boxes and packing materials at popular moving companies like U-Haul or ask friends and local businesses for recycled boxes, which may be free. You may even find posts on Nextdoor or Facebook from people giving away free boxes. If you plan to move large pieces of furniture you may want to purchase moving blankets to protect them during transportation. Having everything ready will save you time and stress as you begin to pack.
Some people swear by packing one room at a time and other people prefer to pack by how often items are used instead. Do what works best for you. If you prefer room by room packing, start with the least-used rooms, such as guest bedrooms or storage areas. If you decide to pack for your move by how often you use things, then start with your least used items like holiday decorations.
As you’re packing, label each box to make it easier to find what you need when you arrive at your new home. Again, do what works best for you. Some people prefer to label the contents of each box directly on the box, while others prefer to simply label the box with numbers and keep a separate log list of the contents packed in each. Not only does this help keep you organized, but it can also help prevent theft since you aren’t advertising what’s in each box.
No matter how you pack, it’s very likely the last packed box will be your first unpacked box because it will contain things you use most often. Try to keep your tools and other utility items easily accessible because you will likely need them to break things down at your old place and build or repair things at your new place.
We can’t say it enough – moving can be overwhelming, so don’t hesitate to ask for help. Friends and family can assist with packing, lifting heavy boxes, or even providing meals during the moving process. If you have the budget, consider hiring professional movers to ease the physical burden. Some moving companies even offer services that help you pack for a move.
Separate from packing up boxes, pack a separate “day of” bag or suitcase with essentials that you’ll need right away, such as toiletries, medicine, and a change of clothes. This will save you from rummaging through boxes on your first night in your new home.
Moving is hard work, so remember to take breaks and stay hydrated as you pack. It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and forget to care for yourself, so schedule short breaks to rest and enjoy a snack or drink.
Staying organized is one of the best ways to make moving and packing for a move more efficient. But, what exactly does that mean? Here are some tips for staying organized while you move:
Confirm your move-in date. If you are moving to a new house or apartment, check the date with your realtor or property manager.
Arrange for time off. The last thing you want to do is try moving to a new house after work. Remember to plan ahead and take time off so you can focus on moving.
And arrange for caregivers, if needed. Organizing childcare and pet sitters can help make the move a lot easier on you. Make sure your loved ones are properly looked after so you can focus your full attention on the move.
Find and hire local movers. Moving companies can help you with heavy lifting and bring that couch or appliance you love down those tricky stairs.
Secure your storage space. It’s best to arrange that in advance if you plan to stow some items. Find a local storage company or check with your movers if they have storage options for your belongings. You can also check out services like PODs
Secure a rental van or truck (or enlist the help of your friends with spacious vehicles). Your movers might have a truck they use or you may need to rent your own. Make sure you know how your furniture and belongings are making the move from A to B before moving day comes.
Apply for a parking pass and any other permits you need. If you have a POD storage unit or a large moving truck, you may need special permits from your city.
Take note of any hardware or appliances you are bringing with you. You will remember large appliances, but smaller ones can be easy to forget. To ensure you don’t leave anything behind, create a checklist of items like a microwave, window security sensors, a plug-in CO alarm, or your smart lock. When uninstalling hardware and appliances, check with the manufacturer for instructions if you’re unsure how to proceed.
And don’t forget to check inside appliances before leaving. It can be easy to leave behind dishes and utensils in your dishwasher, so make sure you do a final pass before handing over the keys.
Return anything that isn’t yours. This is especially important if you’re planning to move across the country or far away. Aside from lightening your load, it’s a good time to remember to return anything you borrowed from friends or neighbors. As you’re packing, check for library books and anything else you may need to return.
Refill prescriptions. Whether they’re for you, your kids, or pets, remember to call in a refill for your medication before moving. Again, this is especially important if you’re moving far away from your current pharmacy.
Clean out your fridge and freezer. Make sure to eat, use, or dispose of any food in your fridge and freezer before you leave. If you aren’t moving far and want to bring any of it with you, make sure you have coolers or freezer bags ready. Lastly, remember to factor in time to defrost your frozen food items if you plan to consume them before your move!
Make plans for your vehicle. If you’re moving across the country and have the budget, you may want to pay for your vehicle to be shipped to your new home instead of driving it there. Make plans for this ahead of time so you know the timing will work for you.
Check into moving insurance coverage. Some insurers offer coverage for moving in case anything goes wrong. Before you move, look into different policy options and decide if you want to protect your belongings as they’re transported to your new home.
Schedule or DIY repairs and touch ups. Make sure you have a plan for any necessary repairs, touch ups, or cleaning that needs to be done at your current place before you move. Whether you choose to hire someone to take care of it for you, or decide to do it yourself, having a plan will help you stay organized.
Keep a packing list. Label each box and record what items you pack into it. You can write down a physical list or use tools like Google Sheets to keep track of your belongings as you pack. These can help you manage what to pack and keep track of your items.
Disconnect or transfer utilities. Check with your utility company for information on how to transfer or disconnect your services. Make sure essentials like electricity, water, and gas are set up in your new place.
Contact your internet service provider (ISP) about your move. They can help you with the best steps to take. Remember to also let any service workers like gardeners, cleaners, or nannies know about the move too.
Update your address and vehicle registration information. Contact your local RMV or DMV to update your address information. You should also double-check your car insurance will be able to move with you if you’re moving to a new state.
Notify the USPS of your change of address. To avoid service disruption, tell the postal service about your address change and apply for complimentary 1 year mail forwarding.
Keep an eye on the weight of your boxes. Instead of packing a medium sized box tightly with books, try adding a couple books to the bottom of other boxes. This helps distribute the weight of the books and also keeps the boxes bottom-heavy so they are less likely to tip over.
Take a deep breath. Moving is stressful, whether you are moving across the street or to a new state. Remember to take a moment to breathe when the big day arrives.
Stay in touch with your friends, family, and movers. Keeping everyone updated will make the process easier. This will also give you and your loved ones peace of mind.
Before you hand over the keys, double-check everything. Walk through the space and check unusual areas like the attic or basement. Look in cabinets and closets to make sure you don’t leave anything behind. You can also leave a note with your contact info for the new residents or tenants to forward anything you may have forgotten.
Leave time for a quick clean or hire cleaners. If you plan to clean yourself, make sure you leave enough time to go back and do so. You can also hire a cleaning service to take care of it for you.
Buy home or renters insurance. Whether you are in a new house or apartment, it is important to have coverage to protect you in case something goes wrong.
Do safety checks. Make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working.
Rekey or change your locks. If you can, it’s smart to change or rekey the locks on your new home so you can control who is able to enter. Now is also a good time to think about getting a smart lock or investing in a home security system.
If you’re all moved in and ready to change your locks,check out Level locks for a smart upgrade that isn’t an eyesore on your new door.
