A Comprehensive List of Everything You Need to Do Before Moving Day

A Moving Checklist Will Help You Stay Organized

Moving can be extremely stressful, and between all the packing, planning and cleaning, it's easy to forget things. Important things. Things you won't believe you forgot about. That's why it's vital to make a moving checklist: it's a foolproof way to make sure nothing major slips your mind while you're dealing with surly moving services workers who don't seem to care as much as you do that your patterned ottoman has been in your family for five generations.

It's important that you start planning your moving checklist early. Some of the things you'll have to do, including researching moving companies and comparing rates on moving truck rentals, will require advance planning and extra time.

Your Moving Checklist

Most people find it makes good sense to organize their moving checklists in terms of time: figure out what must be done, and when it must be done. Start making your checklist as soon as you know for sure that you'll be moving.

Here is a sample checklist that you can use to make sure you don't forget anything important, presented in a "what to do and when to do it" format:

As soon as possible upon deciding to move:

• Research moving companies and/or compare prices for moving truck rentals
• Choose a mover or truck provider and make your reservation

Two months ahead of your move:

• Divide your possessions into two groups: things you're bringing with you and things you're not. Throw out, recycle or donate everything you're not keeping.
• Lay out your box-labeling system so you'll know what's been packed where. This will save you time when you're unpacking as well.

One month ahead of your move:

• Purchase or order your moving supplies, including moving boxes and packing tape, and start to pack whatever you won't need between now and moving day.
• Register valuable items with the mover or your insurance company to make sure they'll be covered in the event they're lost or damaged.
• Ensure all your change of address forms are filed at the post office, and make sure your bank(s), utility provider(s), credit card companies, newspaper and magazine distributors, doctor's office and dentist's office know your new address and/or phone number.

Two weeks ahead of your move:

• Confirm any and all service and equipment reservations you've made.

One week ahead of your move:

• Pack everything except the things you'll need (clothing, toiletries, towels, linens, dishware, utensils) over the next few days.
• Make arrangements with your employer to ensure you're free to be at home on moving day.

Three days ahead of your move:

• Reconfirm all your service and equipment reservations.
• Dismantle large furnishings and items to the greatest possible degree to prepare for transport to the moving truck.

Moving day:

• Leave yourself extra time to pick up the moving truck if you're moving on your own.
• If you've hired professional movers, make sure you are at home when they arrive to give them any necessary special directions and answer any questions they may have. You should also make yourself available at your destination to assist them in the unloading process.
• Check to make sure that none of your items are missing or damaged before the movers disembark to your destination. This will give you recourse in the event that items are lost or damaged en route due to mover negligence.