Moving Day Approaching? Get Prepared with a Moving Timeline

According to the United States Census data, the average person will move more than 11 times throughout their lifetime. Each move can be a time-consuming task, and having a timeline to follow breaks down the big event into more manageable tasks.

Here is a guide to help you develop your moving day timeline.

8 Weeks Before the Move

Create a budget.

Moving comes with unique expenses, such as buying packing supplies and paying security deposits on new utility services. You may also have to take some time off of work. Create a general budget to help you prepare for the financial aspects along the way.

Research moving companies.

Check out your options for local moving companies online. Get an idea of who has the best services to offer for your specific situation. Get a few price quotes before deciding which company best fits your needs.

Get your plans on paper.

Sit down and make a list of everything that needs to happen as you get prepared. You may not think of everything, but jotting things down gives you a guideline to follow to help you remember what needs to be done.

4-6 Weeks Before the Move

Gather moving supplies.

Pick up boxes, labels, packing tape, markers, filler material, and other packing supplies. Keep in mind; some moving companies also provide packing supplies to clients as part of their full move services.

Start organizing and downsizing.

Get things relocated to their “home” throughout the house. Sift through your items and eliminate what you can donate or give away.

Schedule pro movers.

Now is an excellent time to schedule your professional moving company. Some companies need several weeks of advance notice, so the sooner you can get scheduled, the better.

Start packing less frequently used items.

Gather things like holiday decor, out of season clothes, books, and photo albums. Begin to pack these occasionally used items. 

Take a day or two to breathe.

You’ll have a lot of work from here on out. Pencil in a day to just relax, do something with the family, and relax.

2-4 Weeks Before the Move

Continue packing.

Give yourself plenty of time to pack so that you’re not tossing things in boxes at the last minute. Make it your goal to have most everything except for essentials packed by two weeks ahead of the move. Make a plan to pack essential items in their own boxes later.

Wrap up loose ends in the current house.

Cleaning, giving your landlord a moving notice, making general repairs—take care of these tasks during this time frame.

The Week of the Move

Take care of your utilities.

Get utilities turned on at the new place at least a day before the scheduled move. Arrange for the disconnection of utilities at your current home the day after your official move date.

Confirm with your pro movers.

Reach out and confirm the day and time the professional moving company will be at your home to get started.

Change your mailing address.

You can handle this online at USPS.com and select the date when mail forwarding should begin.

Make arrangements for pet and kid sitters.

Reach out to a sitter, family member, or friend who can help you take care of young children and pets during the move.

Prepare appliances.

Clean out your refrigerator, disconnect your washer and dryer, and make sure you haven’t left anything in your dishwasher or oven. Have professionals scheduled to prepare them for the move.

The Day Before the Move

Finish packing essentials.

Pack food, everyday clothing, health and beauty supplies, some bedding, phone chargers, etc. Create an essentials box for each member of the house for the following few days. These items should help you get by until you can unload and unpack the bulk of your belongings.

Disassemble furniture.

Disassemble beds and other large pieces today in preparation for the movers.

Moving Day

Clear the way.

Ensure that the section in front of your house is completely accessible for the movers to park the moving truck. Also, confirm that the street and driveway at your new home are cleared so that the moving truck can park and unload there.

Be ready and available.

Be ready when the movers arrive on moving day with everything packed and labeled. Then step back, but stay available, and let your movers do the work.

Streamline Your Move with Professional Help

With your personalized checklist and timeline, your actual moving day can be far less stressful. And, having professional movers to help out only lightens the burden. Reach out to us for a free quote today if you are facing an upcoming move.