Are you planning a move and feeling overwhelmed by the sheer amount of tasks and to-dos? Look no further! Introducing the ultimate moving timeline and checklist, designed to help you stay organized and on track throughout the entire process.
Whether you’re moving across town or the country, this comprehensive guide covers everything from decluttering and packing to arranging for movers and utilities to settling into your new home. Say goodbye to the stress of moving and hello to a smooth and successful transition with the ultimate moving timeline and checklist.
Eight to 12 Weeks Before Moving
The first step is researching and comparing local moving services and companies. But when researching and comparing local moving companies, there are a few key things to keep in mind to ensure you choose a company that fits your budget and needs:
Get Multiple Quotes
Contact several local movers to get quotes for your move. Be sure to provide each company with a detailed list of items you need to move and the pick-up and delivery addresses. Doing so will help you understand the costs associated with different companies and allow you to compare prices.
Check Their Reputation
Look up reviews and ratings of the moving companies you’re considering. The reviews can give you a good idea of their level of service, punctuality, and customer experience with them. You can check the reviews on the company’s website, BBB, Google, and other review platforms.
Look for a Company With Experience
A company that has been in business for a long time will likely have more experience than a new one. They’re more likely to have the knowledge and expertise to handle your relocation efficiently and safely.
Ask About Insurance
Make sure to ask about the company’s insurance policies. Most moving companies will offer some basic coverage, but it’s essential to understand what is covered and what is not. It’s also a good idea to purchase additional insurance to cover any high-value items you’re moving. Ensure you consult your lawyers to draft an agreement to ensure you get compensation for damage to goods in transit.
Check Credentials
Ensure the company you choose is licensed and insured, and their employees are background-checked.
Pay Attention to the Details
This is a crucial point. Read the contract carefully and ask for clarification on any topic you don’t understand. Ensure you know what is included in the price and what isn’t and that the company has a clear and realistic timeline for your move.
Hire Land Surveyors
Bring land surveyors to prevent surprises if you’re buying a house. Luckily, you can get multifamily loans to cater to processes that stretch your budget. By considering these factors and doing your research carefully, you’ll be better able to find a local moving company that fits your budget and meets your needs. Remember to contact your landlord if you’re renting and tell them that you’ll vacate the property.
Six to Eight Weeks Before Moving
List Your Possessions With Images and Video
After decluttering your home, look at the objects you intend to keep and make an inventory list. If you change your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, you must provide the insurance company with a precise estimate of the value of your possessions in case they need to be repaired or replaced. Add visuals and moving images to your notes.
Examine Your Renters’ or Homeowners’ Insurance Policies
The odds of stolen or damaged belongings rise during the move. Before the moving truck arrives, be sure you have the appropriate insurance, especially if your coverage varies from state to state.
Begin Looking for Boxes and Packing Supplies
Start your search for boxes early because a DIY relocation requires many. You can purchase specialty boxes, such as dish packs for the kitchen or wardrobe boxes for your clothes, online at home improvement stores, or from movers and packers. Ask the following merchants whether you can recycle some of their discarded cartons to save money:
- Groceries shops
- Retail establishments
- Office supplies shops
- Alcohol retailers
Search for local online forums and markets to find recycled packaging materials. Start assembling the following supplies, as you’ll likely require more than you expected:
- Packaging tape rolls
- Towels, old blankets, and moving blankets
- Bubble wrap and packing tape
- For furniture hardware, use tiny plastic bags
Measure the Spaces in Your Old and New Homes
If you hire a moving company, they will record any unusual angles or small spaces that require some skill to maneuver when they come to inventory your belongings. You should also alert them to the exact details regarding your new residence. However, if you’re making a move by yourself, prepare a thorough note of the dimensions of the new home. In this way, if a sectional sofa won’t fit through the front door, you won’t have to transport it across state lines. Ask your landlord or real estate agent for assistance in taking the following measures;
- Rooms that house appliances or furniture
- Sizes of the closets, windows, and doorways
- Large appliances or furnishings
Shop for a New Residence
Purchasing new furniture, rugs, window coverings, and appliances is one of the finest aspects of moving. It’s best to shop early so you can avoid moving without your new pieces because they typically have lengthy wait or delivery times, especially if they’re personalized.
Four to Six Weeks Before Moving
Start Packing
A simple mobility strategy will help you work more effectively and stress-free. Filling the least-used rooms is an easy place to start. Alternatively, pack the seasonal clothing and decorations you don’t use daily into boxes. When ready, make a place in each room for boxing to start.
Packing potentially dangerous items like alcohol, fertilizer, insecticides, and pool chemicals isn’t advised. It is important to note the contents of each box and any fragile items. If possible, disassemble your furniture. It takes up less room in the moving truck and is simpler to transport inside and outside the house.
Change Your Address
Even if you don’t believe you receive a lot of mail, you should still legally update your address with the United States Postal Service (USPS). It’s an easy process that shouldn’t take too long to finish. You should make the modifications because USPS does not carry out these services automatically. The following things should reflect your new address, so double-check:
- Registration to vote
- Community Security
- Banking details
- Information about insurance
- Employer
- Car registration
- Financial consultants
Research and Hire Piano Moving Specialists
If you are moving a piano or other large, heavy item, you must research and hire a piano mover. An expert with special training in moving big, heavy objects is a piano mover. They can transport your item securely and effectively since they have the training and tools necessary.
Contact friends and relatives for recommendations while looking into piano movers. Online reviews of piano movers in your area can also help. Make sure to request quotations from a few piano movers once you have a shortlist. The cost of relocating the item should be included in quotes, as well as other fees like packing and insurance.
Make Travel Arrangements for Your Pet
Remember to consider how your pets will get to their new home. Due to weather conditions and the constrained number of pet seats on each flight, traveling with your pet involves additional planning and safety measures. Get in touch with the airlines to learn more about their pet regulations and prices in advance.
Driving may be the more convenient option. But if your pet has never traveled in a car, you should make practice journeys so everyone feels at ease. Think about getting pet travel accessories like a car box or a seatbelt for your pet. If required, discuss treatment options for motion sickness or nervous behavior with your veterinarian.
Schedule a Professional Cleaning Crew
After moving, cleaning the bathrooms and mopping the floors is generally the last thing you want to do. Before your move-out date, let a team of expert house cleaners do their magic and make your home pristine. You can find information regarding the conditions under which you should leave the property in your home selling agreement or rental lease. If you’ve followed the other steps in this moving timeline and checklist, you should have everything prepared for the cleaning crew to arrive.
Carry Your Personal Documents
During the relocation, keep your irreplaceable documents with you. Carry the following documents by hand to give yourself peace of mind:
- Dental and medical records
- Transcripts from schools
- Records of prescriptions
- Records from veterinarians
- Legal records
Backup Your Computer
A move is an ideal justification for backing up your PC. Even if you intend to carry your laptop during the transfer, you should back up your computer or laptop before disassembling and packaging it. Necessary moving data is saved in a backup in case it is stolen or damaged.
Three Weeks Before Moving
Schedule Stop Dates for Utilities and Other Professional Services
Before you relocate, get in touch with your utility and service providers to inform them about the impending change. Remember to inquire about any refund or deposit requirements.
Make Arrangements for Moving and Storage If Needed
You may also need to store your belongings if you need help moving them all at once. Several different moving and storage options are available, including self-storage facilities, moving companies that offer storage services, and friends or family members who may be able to store your belongings for a short period. If you use a self-storage facility, ask about security features, climate control, and access hours.
Two Weeks Before Moving
Consult the Movers or Rental Truck Company to Confirm Your Relocation Plans
When it comes to moving, one can never be ‘too sure.’ Nobody will hold it against you if you double and even quadruple-check the move’s specifics, including the old and new addresses and the total moving cost.
Fill the Last Boxes With Your Move-In Necessities
Upon moving into your new home, you should establish a new sense of it. The greatest method to create a cozy atmosphere is to have your necessities box ready to unpack. To find these boxes easily, mark them with the words ‘essentials’ and ‘load last.’
Hire Financial Planning Services
When you move to a new house, it’s essential to get a handle on your finances. This may mean hiring financial planning services to help you better understand your current situation and plan for the future. A financial planner can help you create a budget, track expenses, and save for future goals. They can also advise you on reducing your debt and managing your investments. If you’re moving to a new house, getting a financial planner on your team is an excellent idea to help you make the most of your new start.
Moving Day
When you get to your new house, you’ll feel happy and excited, but you still have work to do before celebrating the end of the day. If you’ve followed the other steps in this moving timeline and checklist, you should be fully prepared for this final day. Make sure to have a small security camera as an extra safety measure. Small security cameras can be helpful for several reasons. For example, if you are moving to a new house, you can use a small security camera to keep an eye on your belongings while you are away. Additionally, you can use small security cameras to monitor entrances and exits to your home, which can help to deter potential burglars. Finally, take the following steps:
- Do a final walk-through of your old home to ensure that everything is in order
- Hand over the keys to your landlord or the new homeowner
- Move into your new home and begin to unpack
By following this ultimate moving timeline and checklist, you’ll be able to stay organized and on track throughout the entire moving process.
Moving can be daunting and overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. With the proper planning and organization, you can ensure that your relocation is smooth and stress-free. One of the best ways to stay on top of everything is to use a moving timeline and checklist. We hope that this comprehensive guide has covered all the tasks and to-dos you need to take care of from start to finish.
Whether you’re moving across town or the country, these tips and advice will help make your move as smooth and stress-free as possible. So don’t hesitate to start planning your move today with this moving timeline and checklist and enjoy a fresh start in your new home.