The Ultimate Moving Checklist

Your Guide for Every Phase of the Move

Luckily we have a step-by-step, moving checklist to set you up for a worry free move. If done right, moving doesn’t have to be one of life’s top stressors!

Phase 1: Pre-Move Checklist

1. Create a Budget

Depending on how much you like to DIY, moving day can become a major investment. According to This Old House, for a typical long-distance move, the average cost is around $4,895 for a 2-3 bedroom home.

You’ll need to consider the following for your moving list:

• Hiring a moving company
• Renting a moving truck
• Purchasing boxes, bubble wrap for breakables, packing tape, bungee cords, rope, and any other moving supplies you may need
• Whether you’ll need to take off work

Your budget determines how much professional support you can afford. A moving company, for example, comes with its own crew and equipment, and its team of professionals can quickly move heavy furniture without damaging property. But just remember, that level of talent, experience, and involvement can come with a hefty price tag.

2. Find A Moving Service

If you can afford to hire a moving company, great! Now it’s time to find the right one. As you work on your moving packing list and vet professional moving companies, keep these points in mind:

• Reviews: How have their past customers felt about their work?
• Insurance: Is the moving company covered in case they accidentally break or lose your property?
• Schedule: Is your favorite moving company available on the day you’d like to move?

Or, talk to your friends and family: A move is when you find out who your real friends are. A day-long move is physically draining, so it’s often rewarded with pizza and beverages as a way to say thanks. If you can’t afford a moving company, talk to your closest friends and family members about giving you a hand on your big day.

3. Reserve a Storage Unit

When moving from one house to another, a storage unit can be a terrific temporary holding space to store excess clutter or furniture until you figure out exactly what you’d like to do with it. Some storage options include self-storage, portable containers, full-service storage, or climate-controlled units. Average costs vary, but homeowners can expect to spend between $100 and $300 per month for a storage unit.

4. Book A Rental Truck

If you can’t afford a moving company and you don’t have a truck or van, you might want to opt for a moving truck. As a general rule, truck rental companies recommend:

• Moving From a Studio Apartment: - A cargo van
• Moving From 1-2 Bedrooms: - 15-foot truck
• Moving From 2-3 Bedrooms: - 20-foot truck
• Moving From 4+ Bedrooms: - 26-foot truck

Even if you follow the right recommendations, you may still need to take a couple of trips, so be sure to plan accordingly.

5. Get Moving Supplies

Don’t get caught unprepared for your move! Some helpful supplies to add to your moving list include:

• Cardboard boxes
• Bubble wrap
• Packing tape
• Markers
• A hand truck or dolly
• Rope
• Bungee cords

6. Pack Up Your Belongings

This may seem like an obvious step, but it’s a big one! Start by decluttering and sorting your belongings, deciding what to keep, donate, or discard. Pack up items using the moving supplies list from step 6, listed above. Try to sort specific item categories by box, and label everything, including the room destination in your new home.

7. If You Have Kids, Discuss the Move With Them

• A new school
• A new bus route
• A new neighborhood
• The challenge of making new friends

That’s a big deal when you’re a little kid. Talk to them about the changes they can expect, and drive them through the neighborhood beforehand to get them acquainted with the new area. You could even designate a go-to store or a great park nearby!

8. Prepare to Move Your Pets

As stressful as a move can be for your kids, it can also be difficult for your pets. Ideally, you’ll want to have someone familiar look after these important little family members until you can properly care for them again. Alternatively, consider finding a reputable pet boarding facility where your pets can stay safe and well-cared for during the move.

If you’re moving across the country, the logistics become more complex. For long-distance moves, especially flying, you have the option of having your pets fly with you in the cabin or as cargo, depending on their size and the airline’s policies.

Another option is having a pet relocation service handle the transportation of your little loved ones. These services can provide peace of mind by managing all aspects of an animal’s journey, from pickup to delivery, ensuring your pets travel safely and comfortably to your new home.

9. Forward Your Mail

Once the move is official, you’ll need to update your address with your bank, employer, and other institutions (we’ll get more into that later). If nothing else, talk to the post office about having your mail forwarded from your old address to your new one, starting on your moving day.

10. Plan For Utilities

To ensure a smooth transition and minimize disruptions during your move, you’ll have to transfer or turn off utilities in your old home and set up utilities in your new home.

Transferring Utilities from Your Old Home:

• Notify Current Providers: Inform your current utility providers of your move and provide them with your move-out date.
• Schedule Shut-Off Dates: Arrange for utilities to be disconnected the day after your move to ensure you have essential services while packing and loading.
• Settle Final Bills: Ensure that all outstanding bills are paid and provide a forwarding address for any final invoices or refunds.
• Document Readings: Take photos of utility meters on your last day to verify final readings in case of discrepancies

Setting Up Utilities in Your New Home:

• Research Providers: Identify the utility providers for electricity, gas, water, internet, and trash collection in your new area.
• Schedule Installations: Contact each provider to set up accounts and schedule installation or activation dates, ideally a few weeks before your move-in date to ensure everything is ready when you arrive.
• Budget for Deposits: Some providers may require a deposit for new accounts, so be prepared for these potential costs.
• Confirm Service Start Dates: Double-check that the start dates align with your move-in date to avoid any gaps in service

Or, talk to your friends and family: A move is when you find out who your real friends are. A day-long move is physically draining, so it’s often rewarded with pizza and beverages as a way to say thanks. If you can’t afford a moving company, talk to your closest friends and family members about giving you a hand on your big day.

Phase 2: Moving Out Checklist

Before you know it, that big moving day will arrive. No matter how much you prep for it, the day may throw some surprises your way. Slow down when you can and remind yourself you’re doing great. Moving is a big deal!

Now let’s get down to details with your moving out checklist:

1. Pack Water and Snacks

Moving day is stressful and physically demanding. Be ready. Have water bottles and your favorite energy-boosting treats ready to give you an extra burst of energy.

2. Look Through the House One More Time

Sweep through the house one more time to check if anything was mistakenly left behind. Look behind corners, in cabinets, in each closet, and in the basement and attic.

3. Have a Tip Ready

If you’re hiring a moving company, remember that not everything is going to the employees who are helping you that day. That’s why many homeowners choose to tip their movers either with a cash payment ($10-$20 is customary) or with lunch.

4. Move the Kitchen and Bedroom First

Pro Tip: Your kitchen and bedroom are the two most important rooms in your house. By the end of the day, you’ll need a place to sleep, and you’ll also need something to eat.

While you don’t need to have everything unpacked in your new house and set up before bed, you should at least have a place to sleep and some food set aside for the evening and following morning.

5. Block Off Parking (If Necessary)

If your new home doesn’t have off-street parking, you may want to save yourself a parking spot for the moving truck and any friends who are helping. Talk to your local municipality for rules and regulations for temporarily blocking off parking so it’s reserved for your moving day.

Phase 3: Move In Checklist

With your moving out checklist behind you, here’s a move in checklist to keep you on track:

1. Clean

Yes, the house was probably cleaned before you moved in, but you probably have no idea how much attention was put into it.

At a minimum:

• Vacuum and mop the floors
• Wipe and disinfect all surfaces, including counters
• Wipe and disinfect the toilet and bathtub
• Wipe and disinfect the inside of all cabinets

2. Unpack

Some savvy movers keep non-essentials in their boxes for the first few months to determine what’s really necessary and what doesn’t get used. Anything still boxed up after a few months is ready to be donated or sold!

3. Pick Up Your New Keys And Change the Locks

You’ll need keys to your new place, so make sure to pick those up! You also don’t want previous owners to have access to your new home. So install a new lock, then make copies of the key for everyone who needs one.

Luckily, American Home Shield offers a rekey service, available with all plan types.

4. Get Familiar With Local Emergency Resources

When something goes wrong, know how to get help. Specifically, be sure to note the phone number and address of your closest:

• Firehouse
• Police Station
• Hospital
• Urgent Care Center

5. Get Familiar With Local Amenities

The first few weeks in a new location are always the toughest—and then you’ll have a pretty good understanding of the neighborhood. Within the first few days, however, know the location for the closest:

• Pharmacy
• Hardware Store
• Grocery Store
• Gas Station
• Bus Stop or Train Station

6. Look Up the Local Trash and Recycling Days

Look up the dates online, or even better, ask a friendly neighbor as you’re walking around your new neighborhood!

7. Update Your Address

A lot of companies have your address on file—and many of them need to know about your move. Be sure to update your address for:

• Your Bank
• Your Employer
• The IRS
• Your Driver’s License
• Your Voter’s Registration
• Your Bills & Subscriptions (Including your phone, credit card, car insurance, homeowners insurance, and other important recurring monthly payments)

A Moving List Will Help You Move With Ease

Moving is undoubtedly a big task. But breaking it down into smaller phases with a moving house checklist will help alleviate much of the stressors—like budgeting, hiring movers, and preparing your new space & settling in. Remember, organization is key, and with a structured approach, your move can go from messy to manageable. So, embrace this moving checklist as the beginning of your new home journey. Happy moving!

Don’t Worry. Be Warranty, with American Home Shield®

At American Home Shield, we believe that a home warranty is more than a piece of paper. It’s a state of mind knowing you’re protected when inevitable breakdowns occur in your home. Once you move into your new house, it’s a good idea to protect it in case anything goes wrong. Get the support and protection you need with a home warranty from American Home Shield. We can cover your HVAC, electrical systems, kitchen appliances, and much, much more.

Not sure what a home warranty is? No worries! Check out our FAQs or contact us to learn more.

*http://www.verywellmind.com/the-top-most-stressful-life-events-5547803