20 Things to Do Before Moving [The Ultimate Checklist]

If moving house is an epic adventure, then moving day is the great culmination of your daring exploits – the single moment that defines your entire moving experience. However, it is not the day itself, but all the preparations and hard work done beforehand that spell success or failure – the meticulous planning and endless chores that need to be completed before the Big Day.

# If you have done everything right, you’re guaranteed to have a safe, smooth, and stress-free relocation experience.

# If you have overlooked an essential moving task (or two), you’re likely to face a nightmare relocation scenario where things go from bad to worse.

But how can you be sure you’ve done everything necessary? How can you be sure you haven’t missed anything important?

Well, it’s easier than you think – just take a closer look at the most essential things to do before moving listed below and complete each and every one of them in due time and with great care. You can track your progress quite easily with the help of our super-handy interactive moving checklist, so that you know exactly what you’ve already taken care of and what you need to focus on in the next days – all you need to do is check off the things you’ve done and you’ll get a clear picture of your moving progress.

So, let the countdown begin!

1. Find the Perfect New Home for You

The most important thing to do before moving into a new home is, quite obviously, to find a new home to move into.

When looking for an appropriate property to buy or to rent, think about the most important features you want your new home to have (a spacious yard, an open floor plan, etc.), consider its ideal location (distance to your workplace and your kids’ school, transportation options, local amenities, crime rate and living standards in the neighborhood, etc.), decide on the size and type of dwelling that will best suit your lifestyle (2-bedroom apartment, large house, etc.), and make sure you choose a property in a good overall condition with a monthly rent or mortgage that does not exceed 25% of your disposable income.

Bonus tip: It may be a good idea to move into temporary housing first, so that you have the chance to explore your new area in person and find the perfect home for you and your family.

2. Pare Down Your Possessions

Sorting out your belongings and deciding their fates will be one of the most physically and emotionally draining challenges you’re going to face when planning a house move. Relocating all your earthly possessions, however, will be not only very difficult and very expensive, but also quite pointless.

What you need to do is find out which of your belongings you’ll be able to use in your new surroundings and which ones won’t be worth taking – create a floor plan of your new home to see which of your old items will fit in, set aside everything you don’t like or don’t need anymore, and assess the practical, sentimental and financial value of every individual article. Take with you only the things you really need and love.

Take with you only the things you really need and love.

3. Make a Moving Inventory

Once you’ve decided what to bring along and what to leave behind, it’s time to create a moving inventory. Make a detailed list of the items you have for moving – include their types and numbers, distinctive features, estimated value, destination room, and, most importantly, a statement of their current condition together with sufficient evidence (photos, warranties, quality certificates, appraisal statements, etc.).

Your moving inventory sheet will help you estimate the cost of your move (based on the weight of your shipment), assess your needs (specialty movers, extra services, etc.), provide proper moving insurance, and keep better track of your possessions.

4. Get Rid of Unneeded Items

Getting rid of useless items (damaged or worn out articles) and unwanted possessions (outdated or outgrown clothes, shoes, toys, games, books, etc.; duplicate items; special equipment no one is going to use anymore; items that won’t fit in your new home, gifts and souvenirs you don’t like; etc.) is among the smartest things to do before you move – it will save you plenty of time and effort and will make your relocation much simpler and cheaper.

You can sell your unneeded belongings that are still in good condition (online or at a garage sale), give them away to family or friends, or donate them to charity.

5. Create a Moving Calendar

Having a list of things to do before moving won’t be of much use unless you set appropriate time frames for the completion of each individual task. What you need to do is break the big moving jobs into mini goals, prioritize them according to their significance and difficulty, and define their deadlines. Personalize your moving timeline, so that it suits your particular relocation needs and requirements and stick to it, no matter what.

A customized moving calendar will help you organize your time, keep track of your progress, and speed up your moving preparations.

6. Set Up a Moving Budget

To get an accurate idea of how much money you will need for your relocation endeavor and find out if your savings will be enough to cover all moving-related expenses, you need to assess your financial situation and create a moving budget.

Figure in all the moving company expenses (movers’ rates, extra service charges, etc.) or DIY expenses (moving truck rental, gas prices, road tolls, parking fees, etc.), the cost of the necessary packing materials, insurance costs, travel expenses, and post-relocation expenses. Set up a contingency fund for emergency situations and make sure you have at least double the amount you estimated as necessary for your move.

7. Decide on a Moving Date

Consider all the relevant circumstances (start of a new job, end of a lease agreement, school year, etc.) and previous engagements and commitments you have and decide on the best time to perform your move.

Keep in mind that moving in peak season will cost you a lot more than moving during the less busy period of the year, but don’t forget the risks that come with the more unfavorable weather conditions from October to April either.

Be as flexible as possible and always have a plan B in case something goes wrong.

8. Decide Whether to Hire Movers or Perform a DIY Move

Deciding on the type of your move – DIY move, self-service move, full-service move – is one of the first things to do when planning to relocate. You need to research your options, weigh the pros and cons of the different moving methods, and choose the one that is most appropriate in your particular case.

Compare the moving costs (don’t forget to take into account the hidden costs of moving on your own) and consider all the other relevant factors as well – time, safety, efficiency, insurance, etc. Make sure you’re well aware of the various risks of moving by yourself and get reliable moving help (trustworthy movers or good friends) for your relocation adventure. Get things organized – rent a moving truck or book a moving company – as early as possible.

9. Choose the Best Movers for You

Unless you have decided to risk a self-move, it will be the professionalism and trustworthiness of your chosen movers that will define your entire moving experience. To ensure a smooth and trouble-free relocation, you need to find experienced and reliable moving partners:

• Ask for recommendations;
• Fill in a moving quote to get in touch with several reputable moving companies;
• Get in-house estimates of the moving costs;
• Compare the rates, services, and conditions offered by different movers;
• Research the moving companies that seem to best suit your needs, requirements, and available budget with great care – verify their licensing and insurance information, research their online profiles, read moving reviews left by their previous customers, and check the company’s complain history;
• Examine the moving paperwork in detail and sign a contract with your chosen movers.

10. Change Your Address

One of the most essential things to do before moving house is to change your address – not only to have your mail forwarded to your new home, but also to be able to put in order all the documents that need to be changed or updated after the move.

Do not forget to notify your family and friends, your current employer, your children’s schools, your landlord (if applicable), service providers, bank and credit card company, family physician, family attorney, insurance companies, the DMV, the Internal Revenue Service, and any other organizations you have dealings with about your forthcoming relocation and inform them of your new postal address.

11. Collect Important Documents

Collecting and organizing all the records and papers you’re going to need prior to, during, and immediately after your relocation requires a lot of time and effort, so you’re advised to prepare the necessary documents well ahead of time:

• Gather your personal documents, financial documents, and property-related documents;
• Retrieve medical records and school records;
• Make sure you have all the required moving paperwork;
• Sort out your documents, put them in separate folders or envelopes, and label them properly;
• Make copies of important documents (photocopies and digital copies) and take appropriate measures to prevent identity theft;
• Keep your important documents with you all the time.

12. Switch Utilities and Cancel Subscriptions

Contact your current service providers and have the utilities in your old home disconnected on the day after your move. Cancel your home phone, cable, internet, and newspaper service (be aware of possible cancellation fees), as well as memberships in local clubs and organizations.

Arrange for the water, gas, and electricity at your new home to be running on move-in day (other less essential services can be connected later on). Keep in mind that there may be installation charges or deposits you need to pay in order to get the utilities turned on.

13. Take Care of Your Pets

If you’re moving locally, it won’t be too difficult to take your pets to your new home – you will be able to transport them in your car and there will be very little paperwork involved.

If you’re moving long distance, however, relocating your pets will be a much greater challenge. There are many things to do before moving across country with your animal friends:

• Check the rules and regulations in your new area concerning pets;
• Take your animal friends to the vet for a full check-up, retrieve their vaccination records, and request health certificates;
• Get appropriate shipping containers;
• Decide on the best way to ship your dog, cat, bird, or another kind of pet to your new home – by air (contact your chosen airline for additional information), in your own vehicle (take every possible measure to ensure the comfort and safety of your pets) or with a pet transportation company (choose trustworthy pet movers who will keep your animal friends safe and happy along the way).

Related useful information: Moving with dogs to a new home; How moving affects cats

14. Pack Your Belongings in a Safe and Efficient Manner

Packing tops the list of the most crucial things to do before you move. It’s a laborious and time-consuming process that requires great care and attention to the details:

• Get appropriate packing materials;
• Start packing as early as possible;
• Pack the items that you do not use frequently first;
• Know what not to pack;
• Provide maximum protection to your items – reinforce the moving boxes with packing tape, line the bottoms of the boxes with packing paper, wrap every item individually, provide lots of cushioning, do not leave empty spaces inside the boxes to prevent the items from shifting during transportation, do not make the boxes too heavy, seal them tightly, etc.;
• Label the boxes with their contents, destination room, and the necessary handling instructions.

15. Take Care of Valuables and Specialty Items

Pack your valuables separately and with utmost care. Use only high quality packing materials and spare no effort to ensure the safety of your family heirlooms, expensive jewelry, delicate artwork, sensitive electronics, sentimental possessions, and other treasured belongings. Do not entrust them to the movers – keep your valuables with you all the time.

If you cannot relocate a certain high-value item yourself (antique furniture, large pictures, etc.), declare it as such, inform your movers that the object needs special care, and get extra moving insurance.

If necessary, contact specialty movers who have the appropriate equipment and technical know-how to handle special items – grandfather clocks, pianos, pool tables, hot tubs, etc.

16. Pack an Open-First Box

Packing a survival box is one of the most crucial things to do before moving out, so that you don’t end up opening already sealed boxes on moving day in search of something you need or arrive at your new home without even the basic necessities for a refreshing shower and a good night’s sleep.

To avoid such inconveniences, you’re advised to set aside your essentials and pack everything you’re going to need on the last night before your move, on Moving day, and during the first couple of days in your new home in a separate box.

Make sure your first-night box travels with you!

17. Plan Your Trip

Planning the trip to your new home is among the most important things to do before moving to a new city:

• If flying, book your flight well in advance;
• If driving, decide on the route you want to take and the places (or people) you want to visit along the way – relatives, friends, historical sites, attractions, etc. Estimate how long it will take you to get from one location to the other and decide where you’re going to stop for meals and rest. If you need to stay overnight, choose a hotel and make reservations.

18. Say Your Goodbyes

Even if this is not strictly a part of the moving process, saying your proper goodbyes is one of the most essential things you need to do before you move in order to be able to start anew after the relocation. Allow yourself enough time to part with the important people (and places) in your life the right way:

• Throw a farewell party to spend some fun with your friends;
• Do something you always enjoyed doing with a special friend of yours one more time;
• Make your friends special gifts that will remind them of your time together;
• Take pictures and make videos of your friends sharing happy memories, making inside jokes, or giving you post-relocation advice;
• Revisit your favorite places in town;
• Create a photo album of your old home;
• Make a farewell video, going from place to place and retelling your favorite stories or memories associated with that particular location.

19. Organize a Safe and Stress-Free Moving Day

Organizing a successful moving day is the most crucial task on the long list of things to do before moving out. All is well that ends well, you know.

To ensure a trouble-free and stress-free moving day, you need to:

• Be fully ready by the time the movers arrive;
• Reserve a parking place for the moving truck in front of the entrance to your home;
• Reserve an elevator (if applicable);
• Clear obstacles out of the way;
• Cover the floors with protective coverings and take every possible measure to prevent property damage;
• Keep children and pets occupied in a safe and quiet room, away from the moving chaos;
• Prepare some refreshments for your family and for the moving crew;
• Have some cash on you for tips (if you’re happy with your movers) and small expenses;
• Triple-check everything one last time.

20. Clean Your Old Home

One of the very last things to do before you move out of your house is to give it a final, thorough cleaning.

As exhausted as you may be at that point, you will most certainly want to leave your old home in excellent condition, so that you can get your security deposit back (if you’re leaving a rented property) or make your house more attractive to potential buyers (if you’re selling your home). Remove dust and cobwebs, wash the windows, mop the floors, vacuum the carpets, empty the wastebaskets, and lock the door to your old home one last time.

Our checklist of things to do before moving is complete – having completed all these tasks, you’re ready to embark on your relocation adventure. Or do you not agree? Is there anything else to be done before moving out? Share your ideas with us!