The 4-week moving checklist
What to do four weeks out, two weeks out, the week of, and on moving day, so nothing lands on the last night.
5 min read
Four weeks out
- Get your moving quote and lock in the date. Weekends and the end of the month book up first.
- Walk every room and decide what goes, what gets sold and what gets donated. Every item you don't move is one you don't pay to move.
- Order boxes, tape, markers and packing paper, or ask for them with your quote.
- Measure the big pieces (sofa, dresser, fridge) and the doorways at the new place.
Two weeks out
- Pack the rooms you use least: guest room, storage, books, off-season clothes.
- Label every box on two sides with the room it goes to and what's inside.
- Forward your mail and update your address with your bank, employer and subscriptions.
- Schedule utilities: shut-off at the old place the day after you leave, turn-on at the new place the day before you arrive.
The week of the move
- Pack everything except a few days of essentials.
- Defrost and dry the freezer at least a day before moving day.
- Confirm arrival time, both addresses and parking or elevator access with your moving contact.
- Pack a first-night box: chargers, medication, toiletries, a change of clothes, bedding, toilet paper, snacks, a box cutter.
Moving day
- Keep documents, keys, jewelry and anything irreplaceable with you, not on the truck.
- Walk the crew through the home and point out anything fragile or anything that stays.
- Do a final sweep: closets, cabinets, the dishwasher, behind doors.
- At the new place, check items off as they come in and note anything damaged before you sign.