Written by Level Home Staff
Whether you’re moving across the hall or to a new city, moving is stressful. It’s common to experience many emotions when you’re moving (loss, anxiety, excitement, etc) and it can be a lot of physical (and mental) work.
Take a load off your shoulders when you’re planning your move with a moving checklist from Level Home.
Confirm your move-in date - if you’re moving to a new house or apartment, double-check the date of your move with the realtor or property manager
Find and hire local movers - moving companies are there to help you with the heavy lifting and bringing that couch you love down those awkward stairs
Set up storage - if you need to stow some items in storage, it’s best to set that up in advance. 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 big cars) - 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 necessary permits - If you have a POD storage unit or are using a big moving truck, you may need to apply for special permits from your city
Acquire packing supplies - you can purchase boxes and packing materials at many popular self-service moving companies like U-Haul, but you can also check with friends and local businesses for some recycled (and probably free) boxes
Make note of any hardware or appliances that are coming with you - of course you will remember if you’re taking large appliances with you when you move, but it’s easy to forget the smaller ones like a microwave, window security sensors, that nice 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.
Comprehensive packing list - you can use something like Google Sheets or even a project management tool like Airtable to help manage what you need to pack and inventory your items
Consider decluttering - as you go through packing up your belongings it is a great time to decide what you will take with you to your new home. Everyone accumulates items as they go through life, but it can be a lot easier to move with less stuff to pack if you can part with some unnecessary belongings
Have a moving sale or garage sale - you can make use of popular local listing sites like Facebook Marketplace and Next Door
Get help from friends or hire packing services - you can throw a packing party or maybe just ask your friends and family if they would be willing to help you pack, but you can always consider hiring packing services from a local mover too
Pack a “day of” bag - have your essentials like a toothbrush, medicine, and phone chargers easily accessible
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 want to consume them before your move!
Disconnect/transfer utilities - depending on where you live and if you’re moving from an apartment or a house, the process might be a bit different. Check with your utility company for information on how to transfer or disconnect your services
Make arrangements with service providers - contact your internet service provider to let them know about the move and they can help guide you on the best course of action. 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 - to avoid a disruption in service, make sure you notify the postal service of your change of address. Check out the handy guide from the USPS on changing your address.
Take a deep breath - moving is stressful whether you’re moving across the street or to a new state, so remember to give yourself a minute to breathe when the big day comes
Keep in contact with your friends, family, and movers - keeping everyone coordinated and updated will help the process go much smoother, and it will give you and your loved ones peace of mind
Double check before you turn the keys over - make sure to walk through the space and any uncommon areas like an attic or basement, checking cabinets and closets, so you don’t leave anything behind on accident. You can also leave a note with your contact info for the new residents or tenants to forward anything you may have forgotten
Purchase home or renters insurance - whether you’re in a new home or a new apartment, it’s important to get the coverage you need in case something happens
Safety checks - make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working
Rekey or change your locks - if you’re able, it’s a good idea to change or rekey the locks on your new home so you can control who has access to enter. This is also a great time to consider upgrading to a smart lock, adding a smart doorbell to your entryway, 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.
