The Quintessential Moving Checklist You Need

Last updated 09/27/2024

Everyone knows that moving can be an extremely stressful time, whether you’re moving by yourself, with your family, or relocating your business. There are countless things to consider, and there’s always the possibility of something unexpected happening. All in all, the process of moving can be a hassle – but it doesn’t have to be that way! By using a moving checklist and having realistic expectations of what your move will look like, the transition to your new home can be seamless.

We’ve created the Quintessential Moving Checklist to help ease your mind about moving and all that it entails. This is a great moving planner you can use as a guide, from the beginning to the end of your move. Feel free to print out a copy for yourself and anyone else who may be helping you. In addition to our awesome free resource, we’re also going to break down the process of preparing, packing, moving, and keeping your sanity during your move.

If you’re specifically moving to college, you might find additional insights in our comprehensive guide on moving to college.

Prepare Using a Moving Checklist

Planning and preparation are two of the most important steps in the moving process. Having a solid starting point will make your move more organized and easy to manage. It may be tempting to just start packing, but there are plenty of things you can do to make the process less stressful before you even pack your first box. It’ll get the ball rolling and help you feel like you’re on top of this whole moving thing, too. Grab your moving planner and let’s get started – you’ll thank yourself later, trust us!

Update Your Mailing Address

Start with updating your mailing address. Be sure to update your address in all the right places so you don’t miss important bills, packages, or any other mail you receive. USPS has a simple form you can follow to do this.

You may need to update your mailing address individually for some things. Here’s a list of some of the most common things you should be updating it for:

• Banks and Financial Institutions
• Utilities
• Internet, Phone, and Cable Companies
• Insurance Companies
• Doctors, Dentists, and Lawyers
• Employers
• Subscription Services
• Voter Registration

Moving Services

Next up, you need to consider the services you will be using to aid you during your move. It can be daunting to take on moving on your own, especially if you’re planning to move furniture or other large items. Hiring a team of movers can be very helpful in getting the job done quickly and efficiently.

While some moving companies offer packing and transportation services for your belongings, labor-only moving services like UniMovers are more affordable. You can rely on them for everything from packing and loading to assembly—any labor-related tasks. However, they won’t drive or provide a moving vehicle. This option can save you 30-50% compared to traditional moving services.

Declutter

Now that you’ve got the practical responsibilities out of the way, you can focus on more of the labor tasks. Many people use moving as motivation for a purge. This is the perfect time to get a handle on your junk drawer situation and to get rid of anything you don’t want or need. It’s a lot easier to make informed and rational decisions about what to let go of if you don’t have to do it in the heat of last-minute packing.

Some easy-to-get-rid-of items are:

Even if you know what you want to get rid of, you may not know where it should end up. It’s always advisable to go with the most eco-friendly option to keep as much out of landfills as possible. We’ve devised a key to help you decide what to do with items you’re unsure about:

• If you’ve used it in the last year = keep
• If the item is of value = sell
• If it’s in good condition = donate
• If the material is damaged/tarnished = upcycle
• If it’s broken = trash

Some places where you can send your items to be recycled, upcycled, and donated are:

• Goodwill
• Salvation Army
• thredUP
• ForDays
• Local thrift stores

This is also the time to refrain from shopping for your new home. That’s just more stuff you’ll have to find a way to pack and transport, so save yourself the trouble. It can also be a fun activity to search for new things that tie your space together after moving is all said and done. Make sure to take a look back at your moving checklist before you jump into your next task.

Measure Your Furniture

Measuring your furniture and appliances—like couches, chairs, and mirrors—can save you both time and stress on moving day, especially if you’re unsure whether everything will fit in your new home. The last thing you want is to realize that gorgeous armoire is three inches too wide for the perfect spot you’ve picked out.

If you’re using a moving truck, measuring ahead of time also ensures your belongings will fit and helps you arrange them efficiently, possibly saving you a second trip. Plus, it’ll guide you in selecting the right truck size, with several options often available.

Keep a list of these measurements for easy reference, and double-check your numbers. It’s a simple step that can make a big difference in ensuring a smooth move.

Supplies

Now that you’ve decluttered, you’ll have a better idea of the supplies you’ll need to pack your things.

The supplies you’ll need can vary depending on your specific situation. Here are some things to consider adding to your moving checklist to purchase or rent:

• Boxes/totes
• Packing tape
• Permanent markers
• Dolly/Hand truck
• Packing paper
• Bubble wrap
• Labels

Pack Everything On Your Checklist

Now that you’ve changed your mailing address, hired a moving service, measured, and decluttered, you can go ahead and start packing! The key is to pack efficiently. Keep these tips in mind to reduce stress, and if you need a reminder, don’t hesitate to revisit our moving checklist.

Devise a Moving System

You should try to structure your move with a system that makes boxes of items easily identifiable. Color-coding your boxes using sticky notes is one way to do this. When you move into your new home, you can place a sticky note of the same color in the corresponding room to see where your boxes will be going.

Labeling boxes with respective room names is another way to add some structure to your move. If you plan on hiring movers, they won’t have to ask you where each box should go since they will already be clearly marked. However, odds are you and your movers will end up stacking boxes. As a result of this, any of the labels written on the tops of boxes will not be visible, making it harder to determine their contents. To avoid confusion and frustration, make sure you put those labels on the sides.

Cleaning Supplies Box

Make moving in and out easier by packing your cleaning supplies in a separate box. You’ll likely need to deep clean both your old place and your new home before unpacking. Keeping all your supplies in one box will save you the hassle of searching through multiple boxes.

If you have access to your new home before moving day, consider taking the time to clean ahead of time. This may be your only chance to do a thorough cleaning without having to work around your belongings—one less thing to worry about when you move in!

First-Night Box

The final and arguably most crucial packing step is to make sure you have a first-night box! This box will be the first thing you unpack and will make the end of a long moving day that much easier. Your first-night box should contain all of the essentials that you use nightly or in the morning.

Here’s a list of some common items you might not want to forget about:

• Pajamas
• Change of clothes
• Toiletries
• Toilet paper
• Bedding 
• Shower curtain
• Towels
• Chargers
• Makeup 
• Coffee maker

As expert moving planners, we can’t emphasize this one enough!  If you use nothing else on our moving checklist, use this. By having your important items all in one place, you won’t have to go digging through boxes to find what you need to be comfortable. This box is a guaranteed lifesaver during a long and possibly hectic moving day.

Packing Hacks

Here are some other tips and tricks to keep in mind during your packing experience to make things easier:

• Put paper plates between your dishes to avoid breakage
• Tape an “X” with painter’s tape across any mirrors/picture frames
• Use socks to pack glassware
• Place fragile items between soft items like clothes and towels
• Put hanging clothes in a garbage bag and wrap the ties around the hangers to keep them together
• Utilize empty spaces for different items like suitcases or pots
• Pack heavy objects at the bottom of small boxes

Moving Into a New House

We know moving involves many steps, so we’ve broken down the actual ‘moving’ process into two parts—before you leave your old space and when you move into your new one. You’ll find this breakdown on our checklist for your convenience.

Remember – it’s going to be a long day, so you should get started as early as possible and take care of yourself along the way. This can look different for every person, but a good baseline is to stretch before you start, eat, and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Make sure everyone helping you is following this protocol as well.

Things may not go as planned and that’s okay! Try to stay adaptable and roll with the punches. After all, it’s an exciting time with new beginnings. Make moving a fun experience! My recommendation and sanity-keeper is to have a great playlist. Taking short breaks and eating healthy snacks throughout the day can keep you on track for success, too.

Old Space

Before you leave your old space there are a few steps to take. Consider packing your truck a day or two before. This is helpful for more DIY moves or if you’re unable to load and unload your belongings on the same day. 

If you’re hiring movers or moving locally, you may want to move everything in one day to save money. Figure out what works best for you, and decide whether you want to spread your loading tasks out over a couple of days or get it done all at once.

After the vehicles are packed, it’s time to begin saying goodbye to your old home. Do a final walkthrough of your space to be sure you didn’t leave anything behind. Make sure you check all drawers, closets, and cabinets for things you may have missed while packing. 

After this is done, you should utilize the separate box full of cleaning supplies to do a deep clean of the space. Be sure to wipe down surfaces, clean windows, dust, sweep, and mop floors.

Now that everything is shiny and clean for the next owner, you have only a couple more tasks. Turn your thermostat off, lock all your doors and windows, and turn in your keys. Mark everything off on your moving checklist and wave goodbye to your old home to head out toward new adventures!

New Home

When you arrive at your new home there are a few things to take care of before you go crazy unloading boxes. If you’re renting, take pictures of any existing damages so you have records that they weren’t your doing. Make sure everything is working properly, including faucets, appliances, Wi-Fi, toilets, etc. Also, make sure that any fire or carbon monoxide detectors work and have new batteries in them if required.

If you haven’t cleaned prior to moving day, now is the time! Unload your box of cleaning supplies and go to town. You’ll want to do everything you just did to your old home in your new home. This is likely the only time your space will have that few of obstacles to clean around so take advantage of it!

Finally, the fun of unloading and unpacking can begin. It’s time to put up the color-coded sticky notes so you know which boxes go where. If you opted for labeling your boxes, move them to the correct rooms.

Be sure to take breaks as necessary. Moving will only be a chore if you let it. Remember it’s a process, not a race! When everything is said and done, look around and appreciate everyone’s hard work. Be sure to tip your movers, too! We both know it wasn’t easy to get that couch through the door – and they did it with a smile!

When your day comes to an end, unpack your first-night box and get all the essential stuff you need to sleep soundly. I guarantee, your bed will never be as comfortable as it will be after a long day of moving.

The Printable Moving Checklist

Conclusion

We all know that moving can be a bit of a whirlwind, filled with endless tasks and unexpected surprises. But here’s the good news: it doesn’t have to be a nightmare! By sticking to a structured plan, with our quintessential moving checklist, you can make the whole process – from prepping to unpacking – much smoother. Getting organized, decluttering, and planning ahead can really take the stress out of the equation. Just trust us on this one; a little bit of preparation goes a long way in making your move a breeze.

At the end of the day, a positive attitude and a little flexibility are your best friends during a move. Sure, things might not go perfectly, but seeing those bumps in the road as small hiccups rather than major issues can help you enjoy the experience. With the right tools and mindset, you can turn moving into an exciting new chapter of your life. So take a deep breath, lean on your checklist, and have fun with this journey ahead! You’ve got this!