Moving Checklist: What to Do 8 Weeks, 4 Weeks, 2 Weeks and 1 Week Before Moving Day

Most moving checklists are long lists in no particular order. The useful version is ordered by what blocks what: you can't book movers without knowing how much you're moving, and you can't know that until you've decluttered. Below is the order that works for a typical household move. Shift it earlier for a long-distance or international move.

8 weeks before

• Set the date and a budget. Movers or truck rental, packing supplies, cleaning, overlapping rent, travel.
• Declutter first. Sell, donate or throw away what you won't take — every box you don't pack is one you don't carry, label or unpack.
• Get quotes from several moving companies. Ask what's included: packing, disassembly, stairs, insurance.
• Photograph valuables and anything you may need to claim for.

4 weeks before

• Book movers or a truck. End-of-month dates go first.
• Buy supplies: boxes in two or three sizes, tape, markers, bubble wrap, labels.
• Start packing what you don't use: books, seasonal clothes, guest room, storage.
• Start the address-change list: bank, employer, insurance, doctor, subscriptions, deliveries, government services.
• Notify your landlord if you rent, and arrange utilities at the new home.

2 weeks before

• Transfer school and medical records if you are changing area.
• Use up the freezer and pantry.
• Arrange parking and the elevator for the truck at both addresses.
• Pack most rooms and label every box: number, room colour, flags.

1 week before

• Pack the open-first box: chargers, documents, toiletries, medicines, kettle, a change of clothes, bedding, toilet paper.
• Confirm the movers' time and both addresses.
• Change your address everywhere still on the list.

The day before and moving day

• Defrost and clean the fridge; charge phones; keep cash and documents with you.
• On the day: count boxes onto the truck, do a final walk-through, read the meters, take photos of the empty home.
• At the new home: put room signs on doors, count boxes off the truck, open the open-first box.

Common mistakes

Packing before decluttering — you pay to move things you'll throw away. Booking movers late — popular dates fill up. Labelling only the top — stacked boxes hide it. No inventory — you won't know a box is missing until you need what was in it.