It’s a good idea to begin preparing for your move as early as possible. People who’ve moved before say that having a simple timeline can make the whole process a lot less stressful. It helps keep things in order and makes sure everyone in the family knows what’s going on. You can even give small jobs to each family member—including the kids—so everyone helps out and feels involved in the move.
Eight Weeks Before Moving
- Call the moving company and schedule your moving date.
- Start clearing out spots like the attic, basement or storage shed.
- Use up items you can’t bring with you, like frozen food or leftover cleaning supplies.
- Contact the visitor center or local chamber of commerce in your new town to learn more about the area.
Six Weeks Before Moving
- If your employer is paying for the move, find out what they’ll cover and what you’ll need to handle yourself.
- Ask the IRS or your accountant if you qualify for any moving-related tax deductions.
- Start sorting your belongings. If you haven’t used something in the past year, consider donating or selling it.
- Make a list of people and services you need to inform about your move—like friends, banks and subscriptions.
- Sign up for the local newspaper in your new town to get familiar with what’s happening there.
- Gather your driver’s license and vehicle registration papers.
- If you’ll need a storage unit, reserve one now. Your moving advisor can assist with this.
- Reach out to your kids’ school, doctor, dentist, lawyer and accountant to collect important records. Ask if they can refer someone in your new area.
Four Weeks Before Moving
- Go to the post office and fill out a Change of Address form so your mail gets sent to your new home.
- If you have pets or plants that need special care, start planning how you’ll move them.
- Call your utility companies—like gas, electricity, water, internet, cable and trash—to set a stop date at your current home and a start date at your new one. Keep services running until moving day.
- Let your insurance companies (car, home, health, life) know your new address so they can update or transfer your coverage.
- If you’re packing on your own, get some boxes and start packing things you won’t use in the next few weeks.
- Think about having a garage sale to get rid of things you don’t need or donate them to a local charity.
Three Weeks Before Moving
- Book your travel and any hotel stays for the move but try not to fly out on moving day in case there are any delays.
- Collect all your important papers, like insurance documents, wills, property records and stock information.
- Begin closing your bank accounts in your current city and open new ones in the city you’re moving to.
Two Weeks Before Moving
- Have your car inspected to make sure it’s ready for the drive. Check things like antifreeze or coolant, especially if you’ll be traveling in really hot or cold weather.
- If there are elevators at your current or new place, talk to the building manager and reserve them for moving day.
- Call your moving consultant to review the plans and confirm that everything is ready.
One Week Before Moving
- Pay off any bills you still owe to local stores or service providers.
- Clear out your safety deposit box, pick up your dry cleaning and return anything you’ve borrowed—like library books or rented DVDs.
- Take your pets to the vet for any needed shots and get a copy of their health records.
- Drain the gas and oil from things like lawn mowers or snow blowers.
- If you’re not taking your plants, give them to someone who can care for them.
- Write clear and easy-to-follow directions to your new home for the movers. Include your travel plans and emergency contact information.
Two to Three Days Before Moving
- Defrost your fridge and freezer, and leave the doors open so they don’t accidentally shut on a child or pet.
- Unplug and prepare large appliances like your washer, dryer and stove for the move. If you’re unsure how to do it, your moving consultant can help.
- Pack a box with essentials you’ll need right away in your new home. Keep it with you or ask the movers to load it last.
- Put aside the items you’re taking in your car so they don’t end up on the moving truck by mistake.
- Call your moving consultant to confirm the movers’ arrival time and go over any last-minute details.
Moving Day
- Have someone at home to answer any questions the movers might have.
- Write down the readings from your gas, electric and water meters.
- Read your bill of lading and inventory list carefully before signing anything. Keep these documents safe until the move is finished and everything is settled.
If you’ve followed this moving timeline step by step, it’ll feel good to check things off your list. It also helps you avoid missing anything important—and that can take away a lot of stress.