Moving Day Essentials Checklist

Moving day is a special day – a unique day you will likely remember all your life, though you may not be able to recall a distinct moment of, as strong emotions and hectic activities will blur together in a haze.

The Big day is so stressful and chaotic that you will probably be on autopilot. In order to ensure safety and efficiency under such circumstances, you will need to have everything prepared in advance and carefully thought of in advance – which means that you will need a detailed plan for the day, along with some essentials that will help you make your move smoother and easier.

Having all the necessary essentials at hand on moving day is crucial for a successful and trouble-free relocation, so you have to be careful not to pack these things when preparing your items for moving – finding what you need in one of the many sealed moving boxes will take forever, as will a trip to the store to buy a similar item.

Therefore, it’s important to figure out what you’re going to need on moving day ahead of time and set these essentials aside.

Here is a complete Moving day essentials checklist you can use to ensure you have everything necessary for the Big day.  

Last-Minute Packing Supplies

Packing supplies are, without a doubt, some of the most important things to have on Moving day.

You may have already packed up your entire home, but there is a high chance that just when the moving truck is parking in front of your door, you will notice a couple of toys under the bed, or a still full drawer in the kitchen cupboard, or a few tools in the garage, etc. – just something you have either forgotten to pack or considered leaving behind but changed your mind in the last minute.

Some extra packing supplies will provide an easy solution to the confusing situation and will also come in very handy if the movers request some of your belongings to be repacked for extra safety.

If you don’t have enough moving boxes and packing materials left, you will have no choice but to buy them from the moving company at their rates.

Therefore, on moving day, it’s a good idea to have:

• Spare boxes – You can use them to hold some forgotten belongings of yours, to provide extra protection to an already packed item, to cover the floors (and prevent damages and excessive dirt), etc. So, when preparing packing containers for your move, be sure to get more boxes than you think you will need – you won’t regret it on Moving day;
• Packing tape – There is no way to seal your last-minute boxes without packing tape. A packing tape dispenser will also come in very handy and will not only speed up your packing efforts, but will save you the additional nerves when accidentally taping your fingers together or getting the tape stuck to itself;
• Packing paper, bubble wrap, packing peanuts, and other cushioning materials –  Whatever you decide to pack in the last moment, you will need proper cushioning to prevent shifting inside the boxes and damages to their contents if the container is accidentally dropped or hit by another heavy item;
• Plastic wrap – Stretch wrap can be very useful on Moving day – you can use it to bundle things together, to pack an entire drawer without emptying its contents, to hold cabinet doors in place and so much more;
• Permanent markers – You may have printed labels for your pre-packed boxes but last-minute labeling is only possible with the help of permanent markers;
• Lots of bags – You’ll need clean sturdy bags to hold random items you want to take with you, sealable bags to hold small pieces together, vacuum bags to save space, trash bags to gather all the garbage after the movers leave your old property, etc.

Spending a few extra bucks for a larger amount of packing supplies than you have estimated as necessary will save you lots of headaches and the extra fee for additional packing materials. Not to mention how much time and nerves will be spared if you have all the necessary packing materials at hand.

Must-read: Packing materials for moving you can’t do without

Basic Tools

Different tools are must-haves for Moving day – you will need them for disassembling furniture, removing doors from the hinges, measuring the available space and the dimensions of your belongings, cutting, sealing, repackaging, securing items, etc.

So, make sure you have:

• A Swiss army knife – This multifunctional device ranks among the most useful tools invented in the history of man – it can fit into a pocket and serve a number of different purposes;
• A pair of good scissors – Many moving day tasks will be rendered very difficult without this simple tool. Having a box cutter at hand is also a good idea, but scissors have more universal uses;
• Hand tools – Pliers, screwdrivers, a hammer, a wrench, duct tape, a measuring tape, etc.;
• Can opener and bottle opener – So you, your family, and your movers don’t stay hungry and thirsty on moving day;
• A flashlight – Even if you are moving in broad daylight, a flashlight may prove to be very useful – to look through every nook and cranny in your old property, inside the moving truck or into one of the boxes, etc.

Medicines

It is of paramount importance to have access to your medications and a first-aid kit on Moving day. Do your best to prevent accidents and injuries, but keep those life-savers at hand all the time, just in case:

• First-aid kit – to be able to take quick and adequate measures in the unfortunate event of an injury on Moving day. Mishaps are not rare occurrences in tense and stressful situations, especially if you rush things and ignore proper precautionary measures for the sake of speed;
• Your regular medicines –be careful not to forget to take your prescription medication at the usual time;
• Painkillers – aspirin and other pain-relievers will help you feel better on Moving day;
• Allergy medications –you will need these to alleviate allergy symptoms on a day when you will be way too busy to deal with constant sneezing, running nose, or itchy eyes.

Toiletries

Quite unsurprisingly, your moving day essentials should include some basic hygiene products as well:

• Toothpaste and toothbrush;
• Toilet paper and paper towels;
• Hand soap;
• Deodorant;
• Any personal care items you deem necessary.

Documents

You need to take all your important documents with you when moving, but while some of them may stay safely locked up until the time comes to leave your old home, others will be needed during the course of the day:

• Moving paperwork – your contract with the moving company, the Bill of Lading, the inventory sheet, the valuation addendum, etc. Keep all moving-related documents in a separate binder and be sure to put any receipts or other papers you may receive on moving day in it, so you don’t lose them;
• Your moving inventory list – Compare the moving inventory list you have made yourself to the movers’ to make sure everything is correct. As your items and boxes are loaded on the moving truck, check them against the inventory sheet to make sure nothing has been left behind;
• Your moving day checklist – Consult your moving checklist time and again to make sure everything is going according to plan and you haven’t forgotten to take care of an essential moving day task;
• A list of important phone numbers and contact information – Be sure to have all the important phone numbers (emergency numbers, medical facilities, auto services, your moving company, the hotel you intend to spend the night in, friends and relatives, etc.) written on paper, not only saved in your phone, as it may run out of battery or get broken or lost in the moving chaos;
• Notepad and pen – You may need to take some notes, or write down important information, or come up with an inspirational thought you’d like to remember, so just keep a notepad and a pen at hand.

Be sure to have some personal documents on you, as well.

Bonus tip: In addition to the above-detailed documents, you will also need:

• Money – Your credit cards should be readily available but you will also need some cash to tip your movers, pay road tolls, grab a quick meal, and so on. Make sure your wallet is not empty on Moving day;
• Tickets – If you are not driving your own vehicle, you will need your tickets to reach your new home;
• Keys – Lost keys can totally ruin Moving day for you – you won’t be able to leave your old property unless it is safely locked, you won’t be able to enter your new home if you can’t unlock the door, you won’t be able to start your car in case you don’t have the keys, etc. It’s easy to misplace such small items in the chaos or to give your car keys to the landlord together with the keys for your old rented property, etc., so be extra careful.

Essential Electronics

A mobile phone, a laptop, or a tablet – with Internet access, of course – are among the most crucial things you need on Moving day. They will help you stay in contact with your movers and everyone else you might need to reach, will allow you to research some much needed information, to find maps, etc. Just don’t forget their chargers.

Also, remember that some power strips and batteries may also come very handy, be it to plug in the necessary electric equipment or just to turn your music player on.

Your camera is also among the most useful things to have on Moving day – it will allow you to:

• Take photos of your items so you have proof of their pre-move condition in case any conflicts arise between you and your movers;
• Take photos of the wiring before unplugging your electrical appliances and electronic devices, so you can easily reconnect them in your new home (the same applies to disassembling and reassembling furniture, too);
• Take last-minute sentimental photos of your old home, your neighbors, etc.

Personal Protection Gear

Safety should be your primary concern throughout the entire moving process. Especially on Moving day, when things tend to get a bit unorganized and chaotic, you will need maximum protection and flexibility:

• Wear comfortable clothes made of breathable and flexible materials – choose your attire according to the current climatic conditions and remember that baggy garments and long jewelry may result in accidents;
• Put on sturdy shoes with anti-slippery soles to reduce the risk of falling and getting hurt;
• Use work gloves – they will provide a better grip, as well as protection to your hands.

You may also consider wearing glasses and a hard hat – they will add some extra comfort and protection.

Property Protection Materials

You won’t want to deal with repairs after your move, so be sure to take adequate measures to prevent damage to your old property on move-out day and to your new home on move-in day.

To protect the floors, carpets, stairs, walls, doors, and windows from damage during your move, you’re going to need floor runners, carpet film protectors, plywood sheets, large pieces of cardboard, corner guards, foam padding, and other adequate protective materials.

See also: How to prevent property damage when moving

Cleaning Supplies

What do you need on Moving day to ensure the excellent condition of the property you’re about to leave? Cleaning supplies, of course!

The place will be quite a mess after the movers leave, so you will need to give it a thorough cleaning. To do so, you will need:

• Trash bags – Get hold of many large and strong trash bags that can hold all kinds of garbage and make sure no trash is left behind. If you don’t use up all the trash bags on move-out day, they will come in very handy when unpacking your belongings in your new home;
• White shoe polish – It can help wipe away the wear and tear from the walls and the floors of your old home. A dab of white shoe polish on the baseboard can effectively cover scuffs and scratches and it only takes a minute;
• All-purpose cleaner – A universal cleaning solution will allow you to wipe clean all the surfaces in your old home. Depending on the specific circumstances in your case, you may need some specialized cleaners too;
• Cleaning equipment -To remove all the dirt and dust accumulated in the house on Moving day you will need a broom and a mop, as well as some wet wipes and paper towels. A vacuum cleaner may provide a faster and more efficient cleaning method, but you will have probably packed yours and loaded it on the moving truck.

Related: Moving cleaning checklist

Food and Drinks

You will need a lot of energy on Moving day and so will your movers. Healthy snacks and refreshing drinks will help you recharge your energy levels whenever necessary and will result in more efficient work. So, be sure to provide some sandwiches, granola bars, fruits, and other energy boosters that are ready to eat without taking up much time.

Bottled water and coffee are a must, but it will be thoughtful of you to also offer your movers (and your family members) fresh cold drinks if you’re moving in the summer or hot tea during the winter months.

Some paper plates, disposable cups, and plastic utensils will be very practical during quick breaks for food and drinks.

Kids’ Items

If you have young children, there is no doubt that their safety and well-being will be your top priority on Moving day.

It is a good idea to keep kids away from the moving chaos and out of the way of the movers. So, if possible, arrange for someone to take care of your little ones and keep them occupied in a safe place, so that you can concentrate on the numerous moving tasks.

To keep your children happy and reduce the moving stress to a minimum, you’re advised to leave several of their favorite toys, games, and books out of the moving boxes. Needless to say, you will need to keep at hand a change of clothes for each of your kids and all the special items they need on a daily basis. 

You can find more practical tips in our comprehensive guide on moving with kids.

Pets’ Items

Your animal friends need their daily routine as much as your children do. To help them survive the relocation in good health and without too much stress, you need to be patient and considerate.

Find the time to tend to your pets’ needs – even on the stressful Moving day, as well as during the trip to your new home. To do so, you’re going to need:

• Appropriate pet food;
• Food and water bowls;
• Pet toys and other comforting items;
• A specially designed carrier and/or a leash.

See also: Moving with a dog; Moving with a cat

Your Common Sense

Prudence and flexibility are crucial factors for a gratifying moving experience – so, stay focused, make rational decisions, and keep your sense of humor throughout the entire moving process.

Your sound judgment and composed attitude will keep stress at bay and won’t allow small setbacks to ruin your Moving day.

All the above Moving day must-haves will provide you with great assistance throughout the culmination of your moving endeavor and will result in a trouble-free relocation. Just a few final tips:

• Double-check all premises, including the storage areas such as the garage, basement, or attic, as well as the immediate surroundings of your house. A final thorough inspection of your living space will help you make sure nothing is accidentally left behind;
• Do your best to prevent accidents and injuries on Moving day;
• Find out how to avoid the most common Moving day mistakes;
• Keep your valuables with you all the time;
• Have fun on the road to your new home;
• Don’t forget to take all the above-mentioned moving day essentials (as well as your special open-first box) with you to your new home, as you will need these things from day 1 of your new life.

Must-read: Moving day checklist: Tips to survive the Big day