Moving Checklist

Hiring a moving company can make your move remarkably easy, but finding the right mover for the job can be a struggle. Companies like iMOVE can help you find the most reliable local moving company, or you can do your own research thanks to sites like Yelp, Google reviews, and the BBB index. Of course, it always helps to ask friends and relatives for recommendations.

Moving can produce a lot of paperwork, even if you're doing it all on your own. A moving checklist, a moving inventory, and any receipts related to your move are important to keep on hand. Creating a binder or folder to track all of the paperwork can save you time and energy as the move gets underway. Of course, there are plenty of moving apps for your phone or tablet too.

Between supplies, help, and travel, moving expenses can add up. Plan for things like the cost of your mover and moving supplies. This will make your move more comfortable and less of a stressor. Look at everything you need to move—and when you need it moved—and gauge your budget accordingly. Many moving companies are happy to help you work with your budget too, if you need the help.

If you haven't yet hired a moving company (or enlisted the help of friends or family) a little over one month before your move, now's the time to do so. There's going to be a lot on your mind come moving day, the last thing you'll want to worry about is whether or not you have enough people to do the job.

Your new home won't have the same number and size of rooms as your old one, so grab some measuring tape and make sure large items like couches, beds, and refrigerators will fit in their new spaces. It'll also give you an idea of each room's capacity when you start unpacking.

Learn where important places like schools and grocery stores are in relation to your new home. Then check out the best restaurants, coffeehouses, attractions nearby on Yelp or Google to get a better feel for your future town.

Now's the ideal time to let not only family and friends know about your move, but also important businesses and subscriptions you may have. Submit a change of address to the Postal Service.

Start purchasing or borrowing essential moving items like boxes, colored labels, tape, and newspaper or other filler materials. You can find boxes at most liquor stores and supermarkets.

Get a folder or binder to put all documents related to your move in. It will help you keep track of when everything is scheduled and how much it should all cost, but you can also use it for inventory lists and the printed version of this checklist.

Go through everything in your closets, cupboards, attic, basement, and garage to collect anything that you never use or can't remember why you have in the first place. Decide whether to sell, donate, or junk those items based on whether they're broken or not and how charitable you are feeling.

It's time to repair any damage that's been inflicted on your old home as well as your new one (if it's empty of occupants). That includes new paint on the walls, if necessary, and spackling over holes too. If you have to hire a handyman for more complicated jobs now is the time to do so.

Update or cancel gym, magazine, and other subscription memberships if you have them. You should also notify your doctor's office, your work, insurance company, and any other businesses or services that need to know your new address for billing purposes.

You've dejunked these out—of—the—way rooms and now they're ready to be packed. Once you've finished stuffing them full, leave the boxes you fill in an easily accessible space for moving day.

It's illegal for your movers to ship gasoline, bleach, heavy—duty cleaners, and aerosols, so dispose of them after discussing the appropriate method with your city's waste management agency.

Whether you're moving yourself or using a moving company, you'll want to start cleaning up any large rooms (like attics or basements, garage, or storage closets). Getting the big rooms out of the way early will reduce your stress exponentially come moving day.

Start keeping a list of all the items you pack away. You'll update this inventory as you pack more rooms, but begin with boxes you had in the garage, attic, and storage that you just packed.

Your frozen foods won't make the trip from one home to the other without thawing out, so be sure to start planning meals that make use of everything in your freezer.

The last week before your move is a good time to eat all those frozen meals we just mentioned. Plan meals that make use of existing items in your pantry to cut down on food waste and avoid having to go to the grocery store when you're preoccupied with the move.

Double check to make sure the details surrounding your move are all correct. That includes your bid, date and starting location of your move as well as your move. You should also confirm the destination of your belongings with the movers just in case.

In the event of any long distance move, you'll want to figure out where you're going to stay and what you'll be eating along the way. Look at your moving budget and begin to make arrangements now. If you're traveling with pets make arrangements for them as well.

Nothing is worse than realizing the very thing you need is just out of reach at the bottom of a stack of boxes tucked into the back of wherever you unloaded your stuff.

Using a color—coded system of markers and colored packing tape, begin packing rooms one—by—one. It's also helpful to maintain a packing list so you can track every item you pack and ensure that when it comes time to unpack nothing is lost or forgotten.

A lot of things are going to be in boxes for a while during (and sometimes slightly after) your move. Pack an "essentials" box with things that you know you'll either need during or right after your move.

If you're using a moving company to help you with the move, now is the perfect time to write up and print out a moving instructions sheet. The document should contain your current address, new address, phone number, backup phone number, and any other necessary information that the moving company may need.

You're a kind—hearted person, but that doesn't mean you should continue paying for someone else's electricity long after you've moved away.

This includes electric, water, gas, sewer, trash collection, TV, home phone, and Internet services.

Save this for the final few days before your move. Empty your fridge completely, removing all drawers, trays, and shelves. Find the drainage hose, if your appliance has one, and guide it into a longer hose or large bucket to redirect water. You can use a hair dryer for defrosting, but the simplest method is to just wait for the ice to melt.

Head to the bank and get the appropriate form of payment together. Movers typically don't accept personal checks, so use cash or a cashier's check for tipping the movers that show up on moving day.