Moving Checklist: Plan, Pack and Move In
Table of Contents
Introduction
What's included
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- 6–8 weeks before the move
- Set your moving date and confirm the handover dates
- Create a budget for the whole move
- Confirm building access, parking and key arrangements
- Compare written quotes from movers or vehicle-hire companies
- Check moving insurance and any gaps in cover
- Book movers or a suitable moving vehicle
- Arrange time off or help for moving day
- Find a new doctor if needed and check whether they accept patients
- Research school enrollment if children will change schools
- 4–6 weeks before the move
- List your belongings and photograph valuable items
- Sort belongings into keep, sell, donate and dispose
- Sell items you no longer need
- Arrange donations and pickup of unwanted belongings
- Book bulky-waste collection if needed
- Arrange utility and internet handover dates for both addresses
- Arrange mail forwarding and check the postal service's lead time
- Arrange transfer of health records if you are changing practitioners
- Arrange school records transfer if your children are changing schools
- Gather boxes, packing materials and labels
- Measure large furniture and the route into your new home
- Arrange safe transport for oversized or fragile items
- 3–4 weeks before the move
- Tell the people who need your new address
- Update your address with accounts, subscriptions and delivery services
- Arrange care for children or pets on moving day, if needed
- Pack belongings you rarely use first
- Arrange short-term storage if needed
- Plan where furniture will go in the new home
- Collect belongings you have loaned out or sent for repair
- Cancel or transfer address-specific home services
- 2–3 weeks before the move
- Label packed boxes by destination room and contents
- Number boxes and keep a packing inventory
- Arrange travel or overnight accommodation if required
- 2 weeks before the move
- Confirm movers or rental vehicle reservation
- Check that address changes and cancellations are confirmed
- Finish packing non-essential belongings
- Back up important files before packing computers
- Confirm home or renters insurance at the new address
- Ask movers which items they will not transport
- 1 week before the move
- Share the destination, contact number and access instructions with the movers
- Reconfirm childcare or pet care arrangements
- Dismantle furniture that needs taking apart for transport
- Prepare a separate box of moving-day supplies
- Set aside boxes and items the movers must not load
- Arrange payment and contact details for movers
- The day before moving
- Pack an essentials bag to keep with you
- Confirm the arrival time and final move-day plan
- Empty and prepare your refrigerator and freezer
- Pack documents and records you cannot risk losing
- Moving day
- Record final and opening utility meter readings where applicable
- Supervise loading and record the inventory
- Record damage and resolve delivery discrepancies
- Check cupboards, rooms, storage areas and outdoor spaces before leaving
- Secure the old home and complete the agreed key handover
- Review the mover's inventory and delivery paperwork
- Confirm the driver has your delivery address and contact number
- After moving in
- Check delivered boxes and furniture against your inventory
- Check electricity, water, heating or cooling and internet
- Set up beds, bathrooms and essential kitchen items first
- Locate your water shutoff, electrical panel and emergency exits
- Check keys and secure the new home
- Flatten, reuse or recycle packing materials
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms where fitted
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Presented by:
John F. Smith
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Details
Follow the moving timeline
Start by confirming when you can leave the old place and access the new one. Book transport and check property access first; then reduce what you need to move, arrange utilities and address updates, pack, and complete the handover. The timeline is flexible: if your move is sooner, bring the early jobs forward rather than skipping them.
Check the essential details
For removal companies, confirm insurance, restrictions on what they carry, fragile or oversized items, parking and lift access, and delivery contacts. Keep your documents, medication, keys, valuables and a first-night bag with you, not in the truck. On arrival, check the delivered inventory and set up basic services before unpacking everything.
More focused moving lists
Use the room-by-room items to move checklist to inventory belongings, the change of address checklist to notify providers, and the move-out checklist for cleaning and key handover. A move to another city or country may also need the relocation checklist.
Leave both homes ready
Arrange cleaning and key return before the final day. Keep evidence of the old property's condition and any meter readings, then check the new home's services, access and alarms before unpacking the rest.