Moving out is more manageable with this helpful checklist
No matter if you’re moving from one apartment to the next or to a new state, moving requires significant planning and preparation. Luckily, you can use our moving out checklist to guide you through the process and stay on top of weekly tasks. That way, you’re less likely to feel behind and can celebrate your successful move in your new space.
Two months may seem like plenty of time to prepare for a move, but you’d be surprised how fast the weeks fly by. You can check the following items off your moving list about eight weeks before moving day.
Before you contact local moving companies, it’s essential to create a budget for your move to ensure you don’t bite off more than you can chew. If you’re hiring a moving company, you can usually visit their website and plug in your specifics in a moving calculator to learn how much it will cost before receiving official quotes. Cross-country moves will cost between $2,700 to $10,000, depending on the distance, while local moves may only cost $900 to $2,300. On a national average, hiring movers costs about $1,700.
Once your budget is set, it’s time to find the right moving company. It’s best to contact multiple moving companies near you to compare quotes and see what services are available to you. Ensure each is licensed and insured, and check reviews to read about other people’s experiences with the company’s services. When you receive your moving estimate, it should include a USDOT number that shows it’s registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation and abides by its safety standards.
If you’re currently renting your home, check your lease agreement to see how much notice you’re required to give your landlord before moving ut. Most rental agreements require 60 days notice, but be sure to read the fine print to confirm the details of your contract.
You’ve done the research and feel adequately prepared for the chaos a move can bring. Now it’s time to sign on the dotted line and schedule your services and travel arrangements to make the process as smooth as possible.
Choose a handful of moving dates that work best for you, then work with your movers to select a date. Keep in mind that scheduling a move on a weekday in the middle of the month will likely save costs on moving expenses, especially if you’re moving between September and April. Movers are typically less busy throughout the week, with their busiest season occurring late spring through summer.
Now that you’ve officially nailed down a moving date, you can move onto booking any necessary flights, hotels, or rental car reservations. The more time you give yourself to book travel arrangements, the less expensive the more options you’ll have. Six weeks out is also the time to book any rental moving trucks if you’re tackling some of the move yourself or need extra space to haul personal items.
Boxes, tape, packing paper, bubble wrap—you’ll need all the moving supplies to ensure your items are stored safely and get to your destination without shifting or breaking. If you’re unsure how much moving supplies you need, use an online packing calculator to get an accurate estimate. Buying all of your supplies more than a month in advance gives you the best chance at getting everything you need while it’s in stock. That way, you’re not scrambling for the right size boxes a week or two before moving day.
The clock is ticking, and while it’s not time to wave farewell, it is time to get serious about your packing strategy. Here’s what you can tackle a month before your move to keep things organized.
Before you start packing, start sorting through your belongings to determine what you want to keep, what you want to sell or donate, and what you can get rid of. Decluttering room by room is especially important in kitchens and bedrooms, where you may have the most stuff. Keep track of what you’re donating, too, so you can record what’s tax deductible. If you have time to sell any items on marketplace sites, it can go a long way toward earning extra cash for new furniture or any unexpected moving costs.
Visit your local post office and fill out a change of address form, or use the USPS online service. If you’re close with your neighbors, you may also want to ask them to keep an eye out for any mail still being sent to your old address. If you want to avoid any mail confusion, you can also consider changing your address after you move, but it must be done shortly after arriving to your new home
With your packing supplies and a helper or two, start packing up all nonessential items you don’t expect to use in the next few weeks. Home decor such as artwork or photo albums, niche kitchen appliances, out-of-season clothing, and seasonal items are a good place to start. Just make sure you label each box with not only what’s inside but also what room it should go in when it gets to its destination. Reserve several empty boxes for the items you’ll need to pack the week or day before and make a list of essentials you’ll need to take with you during the move.
It’s not time to say goodbye yet, but it is time to let important parties know you will no longer be living at your current address. If you have kids, let their schools or daycares know you’re moving, and cancel any memberships that can’t be transferred. Take a look at any recurring orders you have on file for things like groceries or supplies and decide whether you want to continue them at your new address or cancel them for the time being. If you currently use any housekeeping, landscaping, or pool services, it’s best to give those companies notice, too.
Now that you’ve got two weeks to go, double-check that the tasks below are complete to help stay on top of things.
Whether you’re moving to a home in a different climate or driving cross-country to your new destination, it’s a good idea to take your vehicle in for a tune-up to ensure you don’t encounter any roadside breakdowns from a flat tire or bad brakes. Ask your technician to pay special attention to your car’s tires, fluid, and brakes so that your ride will be safe and sound come moving day.
It may be set in stone in your calendar, but two weeks out is a good time to call your moving company to confirm the time and date of the move so there are no surprises when it’s time to pack up and leave. Make sure you both have the same time and date, estimate, and service agreements.
If you have kids or pets, you’ll need to arrange for a sitter to watch them on moving day to ensure they don’t interfere with the process or risking injury from accidents. Ask a trusted friend or family member to take them out of the house fo the day or hire a sitter to keep them occupied in another part of the house.
With most of the major items on your list tackled, the remaining items below will help make sure no item is left behind.
If you live in an apartment, take the time to clean up your space to increase your chances of getting your security deposit back. If you live in a house, schedule a professional cleaning crew to do a final clean of each room as a courtesy to the new homeowners. This step can also ensure any small items under the couch or in little spaces are identified before moving day. Move out cleaning costs about $360 on average, in case you want to add it into your budget.
Nothing fills up trash bags like a big move. If trash and recycling days have passed before your moving date, you may need to contact another service to schedule a pickup. If you’re getting rid of any hazardous waste or hardware, wiring, or old computers or laptops, you’ll need to schedule specific pickups for those items ahead of time.
There’s no time for nonsense now—moving day is only 24 hours away! You’ve done most of the heavy lifting, but there’s a few more boxes to check off before the big day.
We recommend packing your moving essentials in a separate bag that shouldn’t leave your side on moving day. That includes toiletries, medication, overnight clothes, important documents, and other valuables. This way, nothing gets lost in the shuffle and you can perform your part of the move without any hiccups.
Movers work hard, moreso if your boxes are plentiful, heavy, and you live in a fourth-floor walkup. The day before the move, withdraw enough cash to tip your movers after they’ve hauled your items into the truck and unloaded them at your new spot. Plan to tip $4 to $10 per hour, $10 for half day moves and $20 for full day moves per mover.
The night before your move, take the time to clear a moving path from the inside of your house to where the moving vehicle will sit. That way, you can make it easier to transport bulky boxes and furniture out of the home. Move any remaining furniture, put up dog or baby gates, and remove any obstacles obstructing your path out the door.
The moment you’ve been preparing for is finally here! Time to check off the last few items on your to-do list before hitting the dusty trail and saying goodbye to your old digs.
Water bottles and snacks are important to have at your fingertips so you don’t get dehydrated or tired out during go-time. If you’re DIYing part of the move, remember to take frequent breaks so you don’t lose steam before your car has even left the driveway. You should also plan to set out water and snacks for your moving team to ensure everyone stays hydrated and energized during the moving process.
After everything is packed up and hauled into the moving truck, take one final sweep of your space before saying your goodbyes. Look inside any cabinets, drawers, or storage spaces to make sure nothing is left behind or unaccounted for. Don’t forget to look inside your washer, dryer, or other appliances to see that you got everything out.
You’ve put in the work; now your space is someone else’s responsibility. If renting, turn in your keys to your landlord or property management company before hitting the road. If you sold your home, leave the extra keys in the lockbox or on the counter for its new owners. Take one last look before you move on to your next chapter!
The heavy lifting is over, so now it’s time to focus on the post-move tasks to help you set up and organize your new space.
Before you jump the gun and start unpacking, conduct a surface clean of areas like carpets, tile, countertops, and cabinets to remove leftover dust or debris from the previous homeowners. If you’re too worn out from the packing and moving to clean yourself, consider hiring a professional cleaning service to do it for you. That way, you can start fresh in your new home.
Nothing will help you settle into your new home like unpacking your belongings and organizing each room the way you like it. It helps to start with items that go in rooms you’ll use the most, such as your kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and living room. Don’t forget to save your moving boxes after breaking them down to donate to someone who’s moving, or recycle them.
Once moving day passes, it’s a good idea to change the home’s locks to start fresh. That way, you can keep track of exactly who has access to your new home. Changing door locks for an entire home costs $130 to $220, depending on the lock type and number. Keep in mind that prices differ by lock grade, exterior versus interior, extra features, and more.
Don’t forget to check the status of the smoke alarms to ensure they are working properly. To be cautious, consider changing all of the batteries simultaneously so they’re all on the same schedule, making it easier to keep track of when to replace them.
You’ve checked off all of the main line items on your to-do list—now it’s time to get to the other steps that help make the post-move process even more seamless.
If you hired professional movers, house cleaners, or other service professionals to help with your move, it’s time to show your support for their hard work. It goes a long way to leave a positive online review of each service to let the company and potential customers know about your experience. The more details you provide, the better.
To ensure you’re safe and sound in your new spot, install a security system that allows you to keep an eye on who’s approaching your front door, when your packages are delivered, and when your food delivery has arrived. You can opt for a DIY security system, or you can look into hiring a local security company to install a custom system for you.
Moving is a marathon, not a sprint. Don’t slow down now—only a few more tasks until you cross the finish line and declare yourself finished with the entire process.
Let your loved ones know your new address so that your future birthday cards and wedding invitations arrive safely at your new home. You can complete this step via postcard or the digital way through email or text, but let them know nonetheless.
You can address those last few boxes you’ve stowed away in the corner now that you’ve finished the bulk of the tasks required after moving. Unpack them and relish in the extra space you acquired once the boxes are broken down and put up.
Take a deep breath—the moving process is complete! Now, it’s time to explore your new surroundings. Start by walking around your neighborhood, getting to know your neighbors, and checking out local businesses to get a feel for your new environment.
