Moving Checklist: Organizing Your Move to a New Home

This moving house checklist will help you be prepared for moving into your new home. Moving is never easy, but being organized can help you get it done with less stress.

From one month before, to the big day, this moving checklist gives you weekly planning tips:

3-4 WEEKS PRIOR TO MOVE

• Make an inventory of everything to be moved
• Donate any unwanted clothing or furniture
• Book the moving elevator and confirm parking
  arrangement for truck
• Contact insurance company to transfer policies (life, homeowners)
• Review Tax deductions on moving expenses
• Request change of address kit from post-office
• Prepare a list of friends, business firms and personal accounts who should be notified of your upcoming move
• Arrange cut-off/activation dates
  for utility companies:
  • Telephone
  • Cable
  • Gas/Electricity/Water
  • Garbage

2 WEEKS PRIOR TO MOVE

• Purchase any moving supplies – Boxes, crates, packing materials, tape, markers, labels , cart/dolly, moving blankets, furniture covers, scissors/box cutter, etc.
• Make an appointment with a service technician to prepare major appliances for shipment (i.e. plumber, electrician)
• Have rugs and draperies cleaned and leave wrapped when returned
• Obtain written appraisal of antique items to verify value
• Make a plan to dispose of flammables that can’t be transported:
  • Aerosol Cans
  • Cleaning Fluid
  • Ammunition
  • Fireworks
  • Oil Cans/Paint/Thinner
  • Propane Tanks

1 WEEK PRIOR TO MOVE

• Check furniture for dents and scratches
• Label items you need to access easily
• Clean out the refrigerator/plan to defrost and dry day before move
• Drain equipment: water hoses, propane tank, gas/oil lawnmowers
• Schedule to have utilities turn on at your new home
• Make a plan to transport house plants
• Confirm travel arrangements for pets and family

DAY OF THE MOVE

• Designate boxes and items as “last load” items
• All loose items are packed in boxes
• All electronics are unplugged from a power source. Plasma TV’s should be unplugged the day before so they are at room temperature on move day.
• All pictures are removed from the walls
• All boxes are labeled with their destination room in your new home on the top and sides of each box
• All heavy and breakable items are removed from dressers and desks
• All contents are removed from appliances
• All items are removed from the top of furniture
• All linens are removed from beds
• All rooms, closets, cabinets have been checked
• Disassemble bedroom sets to save time

• Prepare an essentials box:
  • Toilet Paper (unopened)
  • Snacks/Instant Coffee
  • Scissors/Pocket Knife
  • Garbage Bags
  • Change of Clothes
  • Dish Soap and Towels
  • Pet Food and Dish
  • Flashlight
  • Portable Tool Kit
  • Towels
  • All-Purpose Cleaner
  • Mug/Plate/Cutlery
  • Shower Curtain
  • Important Records/Documents

• Before you leave the house:
  • Water shut off
  • A/C shut off
  • Lights turned off
  • Windows shut and locked
  • Check for items left behind
  • Surrender house keys

We want our customers to have happy and healthy homes. Following the tips in this moving house checklist makes it easier to organize your move and get your experience as a new home owner off to a great start. In a previous blog post we have also written a few great tips for adding safety to your new home, that might also be helpful.

If you are ready to buy a new home, we would love to help you finance your home ownership goals. Reach out to us today to start the conversation about getting pre-approved for a home loan.