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You’re planning a move and don’t know where to start from? This is where a moving checklist comes in – it’s invaluable for planning and staying on task during relocation. Whether you’re moving out of state or into a new locally, this moving checklist takes you by hand.
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You’re planning a move and don’t know where to start from? This is where a moving checklist comes in – it’s invaluable for planning and staying on task during relocation. Whether you’re moving out of state or into a new locally, this moving checklist takes you by hand.
Making the decision to move to a new home can be scary, but it can also be exciting. When you know you’re moving, you may be spending your days thinking about the extra space waiting for you in your next home, how you want to decorate your new bathroom or the parties you’re going to be able to host.
It’s easy to get caught up in fantasizing about a new place and the new adventures you’ll have, only to realize you haven’t finalized the details of the actual “moving” part – or worse, that you haven’t really planned your move at all.
If you leave everything for the last minute, your moving experience can quickly become a rushed, stressful nightmare.
If you want to create a moving plan that is effective and reduces your stress, this is where you should start. Get a brightly colored binder and clearly label it, so you know it’s the place to keep all things moving-related. Print out this moving checklist and place a copy in the binder.
In addition to moving paperwork, this is where you should keep phone numbers, receipts, swatches, and all the scraps of paper you’re been jotting details on. You’ll add more to the binder as your move progresses.
Create a moving budget template and start setting your budget. To get an estimate of how much your move may cost, use our moving cost calculator or search for moves similar to yours online and see how much they cost.
Keep in mind the distance you’re traveling and the number of possessions you are taking with you since those are major factors in determining the total cost. If you’re shipping a vehicle to your new home, budgeting for that now will save you the headache later.
There are several moving options to choose from, each with varying costs, advantages, and disadvantages:
Want to know more about the different ways you can move? Skip ahead to the section “What Are Your Options for Moving?” for more information about moving strategies and costs.
Based on the method you choose, here are some extra items you may want to add to your moving budget:
After deciding whether you’re going to hire someone to help with some or all of your moves, you can use Perennial Van Lines to schedule in-home estimates with reputable companies or start researching companies and scheduling walk-throughs yourself.
Ask for moving company recommendations from friends and family, and collect information on each company to make sure they’re trustworthy and reliable.
Let them know your budget and see if a company is willing to work with you, or if you need to adjust the numbers. Either way, you’re still ahead of the game!
If you have young children, it’s a good idea to start prepping them mentally for the change that is about to occur. Moving to a new place can be hard on them, so start getting them excited about the move now – so they have as much time as possible to process the upcoming changes.
If you are anxious about telling your children that they have to change schools, you aren’t alone – there are resources to help you, though.
At this point, you should know the precise day of your move. You’ve been doing well so far, getting the preliminary work out of the way – and you still have some breathing room.
This is the stage where every aspect of your move needs to be scrutinized and planned out. But there’s nothing to worry about – that’s what this moving checklist is for!
This is the time to determine exactly how your things are going to be moved from point A to point B. If you’re doing it yourself and have friends and family helping, make sure they’re committed to and available on the day of your move. If you are using professional cross country movers or moving labor, make sure they are licensed, insured, and are scheduled and ready for that day.
If you’re not changing jobs, let your boss know you are moving and ask for the day(s) off. For those who truly hate the moving process, try to schedule your move day on a Friday, so you can have the weekend to settle in a bit and organize the essentials – along with yourself.
If you’re moving out of your current school district, this is the time to choose a new school for your kids. You should also request their transcripts for the new school. This ensures that your children are ready to enter their new school routine after the move.
You knew this time would come. It may be hard to throw out that fake tree that you stuck in the corner and never really liked, but you can do it! Don’t waste time packing and moving things you don’t really want or need.
You’ll save time and money when the packing process starts by not adding to the size of the load, since movers charge based on the weight of your shipment – or, if you’re doing it yourself, you’ll have less stuff to cram into the moving truck.
Start with the garage, closets, basements, storage areas, and attics. Go through everything and separate items you’d like to donate, recycle or toss. This is also a great time to have a garage sale, so you can unload some of your unwanted items and pick up a bit of extra cash.
What could be different in two weeks, you ask? Everything! After the planning phase has ended, it’s time to start moving and shaking – lots of small tasks need your attention during this time, but don’t stress. You are right on schedule.
If you’re making an interstate or cross-country move, now is the time to start saying goodbye. You don’t need to have a fancy party (though you certainly can!), but set aside time to squeeze in some extra memories before it’s time for you to go. You’ll kick yourself if you don’t.
Start looking for free boxes from retail stores, liquor stores, grocery stores, and restaurants. Any business that gets deliveries will typically have extra boxes, and they usually toss them outside without a second thought.
Most have empty boxes they’re happy to hand over, free of charge. Be sure to collect boxes for fragile items too.
If you don’t have the time or the patience to collect free boxes, you can also purchase moving boxes online from several places.
Before you start packing, print out labels or label your boxes directly using stickers and tape. Mark each box according to which room it goes in. This will make life easier after you’ve moved in and would love nothing more than to brush your teeth since you’ll only have to look through the boxes labeled for the bathroom.
It’s also a good idea to mark boxes that are fragile. Stacking your electronics on top of a box of glassware in the moving truck is not an ideal placement.
This is a list or spreadsheet to track where your items are, which can be printed out and placed in your moving binder. It’s a good idea to designate a new tab or page for each room. Give each box you pack a number and record the number on your inventory list, jotting down notes about what’s inside each box.
If you need to find something very quickly, you’ll know exactly which box to open. This also helps to ensure that every box is loaded and unloaded off the truck.
Take pictures of all of your electronics before you unplug and pack them, so you can reconnect them correctly after the move. Place furniture hardware in separate labeled bags to make reassembling your furniture much faster and less nerve-wracking.
Gathering towels, socks, and linens to use as packing peanuts is useful around this time, too. You can wrap your glasses and other fragile items in towels and save money on bubble wrap.
Find out if your new home has any requirements you need to take care of before moving in. For your current home or apartment, start doing minor repairs before you leave. If you’re selling, you want to get the highest price. If you’re renting, you want to get that security deposit back!
If you’re driving across the country, please get your car serviced. The last thing you want is for your car to have issues while you’re on the road to your new life. If you are shipping your car, take everything out of it, including the spare tire and tools – you never know what might go missing.
We are talking doorways, hallways elevators, and stairs – it’s important to know whether all of your furniture will fit, and what might need to be disassembled. Measure as many times as you need to comfortably know how much clearance you have throughout the house.
Take the time to do some research on the new area you’re going to be living in. It will be nice to have some points of interest, after-work spots, or restaurants you’re looking forward to visiting.
Last but not least, during this stage, you should start packing a little every day. The earlier you start packing, the less it will feel like an insurmountable job. Start by picking a room and packing up everything you know you won’t really need or use for the next couple of weeks.
The one-month mark is officially here and it’s time to collect important documents and sell/donate items you are not taking. This will make completing your moving checklist easier.
Now is the time to purchase moving insurance to cover the move and confirm the necessary parking space for a moving truck. It’s possible you may need a permit for the truck on moving day.
What are you going to need in the weeks during and after the move? This kit will be unique to you and your family. Clothing should be included, but if you have children, maybe a special blanket or stuffed animal is also non-negotiable.
The idea is to get ahead and start thinking about what to include. Make sure these boxes stay open and are easy to identify. You will most likely continue adding things up until the day of the move.
While you’re going through your belongings and sorting out the essentials, make arrangements to donate unneeded items that you can’t sell or pack, like frozen food or bleach.
Decide how you’re going to transport any valuables, such as cash, jewelry, paintings, and sculptures. Important government-issued documents like your birth certificate, passport, and social security card should also be packed at this time. Keep these items separate from everything else and take them yourself when you move, rather than packing them on the moving truck.
Make playlists to pack to, drive to, unpack to, and anything else you may be doing during this stressful time. Music makes everything better!
Now that you’re organized, it’s time to start packing.
All furniture you aren’t going to use can be disassembled and prepped. Pack up that guest bedroom furniture and other rarely-used items. Learn how to protect large pieces of furniture during a move, as there are other ways besides taking them apart.
Dishes take a long time to pack, so think about using specific boxes for this task. It’s important to wrap them correctly so that they arrive in one piece.
You might want to invest in paper or plastic dishes in the meantime, so you can ensure that all your dishes are packed and ready well before moving day.
Clothing is another thing that takes a long time to pack. Figure out the best method for packing clothes for a move, and then start packing all clothing items that no one will be wearing for the next few weeks.
Even though you’ve done everything right, panic is most likely still going to set it in during this stage. Enjoy it! Panic just means you want to get things done correctly, and we are here to help.
Only one week left – time to organize your things, finish packing, and clean up. Doing a little bit every day goes a long way toward reducing stress and making the moving day something to look forward to, rather than dread.
We all have busy lives, and it’s easy to forget about obligations. Make one last call to confirm the date and time with the people helping you move.
Usually this is something that must be done in person. Don’t wait to complete the necessary forms to have your info transferred – get this out of the way before you forget.
The majority of your household is packed, so you should only have to wrap up your essentials kit and any clothing you’ll need to pack in suitcases for the trip.
Get that grass out of your mower, disconnect the stove’s gas line, and prep the fridge if it’s coming with you.
You don’t want to do this too soon, in case your moving date changes.
Once everything is packed, a thorough cleaning is in order. At the very least, sweep up. Take pictures to make sure you can prove you left things the right way, if you’re renting, or schedule a walk-through.
This is exciting! You’re so close to the end. Let’s start your moving day off right.
You’re paying by the hour, so keep your movers on schedule. Set your intentions for the move and let them be known, so everyone can work in harmony toward the same goal.
Check off your moving inventory to ensure all your boxes were loaded, and that they arrive at your new home. Take pictures of anything that was damaged during the move. Don’t forget to tip your movers, either – they’ve worked hard.
Either way, celebrate! You’ve completed your move!
Based on your moving budget and the scope of your move, there are several options for moving your items from one point to another.
Below are five of the most common methods for moving.
This is the least stressful option (both physically and mentally) – and the most expensive. A full-service move includes the following:
Know that a lot of full-service moving companies only provide basic liability insurance, which covers you for only around 60 cents per pound. With this type of coverage, for example, if your 100-pound TV is damaged, you would only be reimbursed $60.
If you have valuable belongings, you should opt for full-value protection, which provides full reimbursement of your item’s replacement value if anything gets damaged during the move.
To find a reputable long distance mover, check with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) as well as the American Moving & Storage Association for moving company credentials, including licensing.
The use of movable freight containers like PODS is one of the newest options available for people who are moving. With this option, you can choose from three different sizes of PODs.
The POD is delivered to your home, and you can take your time loading your furniture and boxes into it. Then, the container is picked up, driven to your new home, and dropped off so you can unload.
One positive feature of PODS containers is that the container entrance is at ground level, so you don’t have to carry heavy furniture up and down a ramp, as you do with moving trucks.
The cost of renting PODs containers for your move starts at $70 for local moves and can go up to $5,000 for long-distance moves. However, most long-distance moves are cheaper, with the price range starting at $800.
Other companies, such as U-Haul and U-Pack, provide the same type of movable containers for rent.
Many of the major airlines, and large courier companies such as DHL and UPS, offer airfreight cargo transportation. This option is worth considering if you are moving overseas.
Air shipping rates are calculated by the weight and dimension of the belongings. You’ll also need to know the specific time and place to deliver your belongings in order to get an accurate quote for airfreight shipping.
Different air shipping companies provide different packing guidelines, so be sure to read the contract and ask questions before you begin to pack your boxes for shipping by air.
First, pack non-essential goods. These include the things you won’t need in the weeks before your move, such as your books, electronics, and decorative items. Essential goods should be packed last. These include items from the kitchen, clothing, toiletries, dinnerware, and any other everyday household goods.
These basics apply to every move, no matter how big or small, whether local or long-distance.
There are some items that you’ll have to be responsible for moving, as professional movers will not move them. This can include:
If you’re not sure whether a mover will handle a particular item, ask the company about their policies.
We suggest you pack an essentials kit that will remain open until you move. This should include bathroom supplies such as toilet paper and travel-sized toiletries, kitchen items like paper plates and paper towels, cleaning supplies, a tool kit, and some food items or snacks that can be easily prepared.
Hiring a professional packing service typically costs between $25 and $40 per hour, per mover, excluding materials. Usually, you will need a minimum of two movers.
Overall, you will spend between $100 and $400 in labor to pack a one- to two-bedroom home, and $480 – $1,440 to pack a three-bedroom or more home. If you need to hire additional help, many companies offer discounted hourly rates for more than two packers.
If you don’t have a lot of time for your move or want to reduce your stress, hiring movers to take care of everything for you can be money well spent.
You’ll also have better protection in the event something goes wrong during the move.
Most full-service moving companies provide damage coverage, in case your possessions are damaged during packing or transit.
At Perennial Van Lines, we’re committed to helping you ensure that your move is as smooth and stress-free as possible.
We hope this checklist helps you organize your next move so that everything goes according to plan, and you arrive safely at your new home with all your household items.
There are many decisions involved in planning a move, and it’s important for you to choose the methods that best suit your situation and your budget.
This timeline will help you stay on track, no matter how you’re getting your things from A to B. Don’t forget, you can download our moving checklist and save or print it out for reference.