No matter if this is your first move, or if you have moved 100 times in the past, moving still takes a lot of time and effort. It’s easy to forget a lot of the necessary tasks that you need to do along the way.
When you move, the best way to ensure that you do not forget anything at all is to follow a moving checklist.
Begin jotting down your checklist months before your move. This will ensure that you don’t forget anything as you’ll have plenty of time to add in things that pop up during your daily life. Write out everything that you need to do and start from step 1, then work your way down your list. If you don’t know where to start when creating your moving checklist, then I am here to help you!
Here is the ultimate moving checklist – it will include everything you need to do from start to finish. However, do keep in mind that every move looks a little different, so if there is anything that is not included on this list, please add it on so that you do not forget about it!
Month(s) before the move
1-3 months before your move, you have a few tasks that you need to knock out ahead of time. This will save you a lot of headache in the long run since you will be planning in advance. Here is your 1-3 months before your move checklist:
– Purge! Getting rid of unused or outdated items will make the moving process go much smoother, and you’ll avoid filling your new home with unnecessary things. If you haven’t used it in 6 months, toss it.
– Research movers. Most moving companies, such as New Jersey inc. Moving company, will give you a free quote in person or over the phone. On their website, it looks like they have a form that you can fill out for your free quote + they also have a chat feature, which is great!
– If you are renting a truck or hiring mover, book them as early as possible!
– Gather important records. Put anything that can’t be replaced (think prescriptions, legal documents, etc.) in a file to keep it safe. If you have a safe, that is even better! Keep everything together and organized before your big move.
– Make travel arrangements. If your move involves air travel, vehicle rentals, or hotel stays, book now! Keep in mind: if you are hiring a moving company, they need to be skilled in New Jersey long distance moving, if you are not moving close by.
– Order new appliances. If you need a new dishwasher or fridge in your home, order it now so it has time to be delivered before move-in day. Fridges especially have been on backorder recently, so make sure you plan this ahead of time, but keep one thing in mind: if you are buying a home, you want to make sure not to tap into your credit cards or your cash reserves (for closing) before you actually close.
Weeks before your move
– Line up child care. Moving is hard enough as is. You do not want to have to tackle chasing kids around while you are trying to move heavy boxes or furniture.
– If you have not already booked your movers, make sure that you book them and figure out the small details. Also, make sure to ask them about insurance so that you can keep your items safe. New Jersey inc. Moving Company says that they provide extensive and honest information that other movers won’t regarding turn around time, insurance, and what you can do to protect your move.
– Coordinate with your utility company. Get your utilities turned off in your old home (post-move, of course) and turned on in your new home! You don’t want to move into a freezing or super hot house on your first day.
-Get prepped for packing. Make sure you have everything you need if you are doing it yourself, which includes boxes, packing tape, colored tape, markers, bubble wrap, packing peanuts, scissors, and more. About four weeks or so before, I would start packing because you want to give yourself as much time as possible.
– Change your address. About 2-3 weeks before your move, I would contact USPS to have your mail forwarded and work on changing your address for banks, credit cards, subscriptions (boxes, magazines, newspapers, etc.), your vehicle information, your employer, and doctors offices, etc.
– Remember when you decluttered? Now is the time to have a moving sale or sell the last of the things that are cluttering up your space. You do not want to do this in your new home, so do it ahead of time.
Day before and the moving day
– Check in with your movers and make sure that everything is good to go for the moving day!
– Create a day-of list for yourself to stay on-track
– Once everything is moved, double check for stray items in every room, which also includes closets, attics, and other storage spaces that might be forgotten.
– Arrive at the new home before your moving truck arrives. This gives you time to figure out where you want everything and you can show them the way. Alternatively, you could stay out of their way and label you boxes with the correct rooms.
– Start unpacking on the day of! This will save you so much stress in the days to come because boxes tend to sit unopened for months if you don’t do it right away.
– Give your new home a good deep clean.
Post-move
– Change all of your exterior locks and make extra copies, as needed
– Raise a glass! Your hard work is finished and you deserve to “cheers” yourself.
– Leave your moving company a review. New Jersey Transport inc. Moving Company prides themself on providing great services for their clients. They offer honest and reliable moving services for the NE. Their focus on transparency and honesty helps them provide a stress-free moving service for all of their clients. Their reviews speak for themselves, so check them out and then once your move is over, leave a review yourself.
I know first hand that moving with young children can be a very stressful time, but if you follow all the steps along with this moving checklist, you’ll have a successful and stress-free move!
Marissa is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist turned stay-at-home mom who loves sharing her tips, tricks, and ideas for navigating motherhood. Her days are filled starting tickle wars and dance parties with three energetic toddlers and wondering how long she can leave the house a mess until her husband notices. When she doesn’t have her hands full of children, she enjoys a glass (or 3) of wine, reality tv, and country music. In addition to blogging about all things motherhood, she sells printables on Etsy and has another website, teachinglittles.com, for kid’s activity ideas.
