Moving is so much fun, isn’t it? Well, maybe it will be more fun with the ultimate moving checklist! I know, OK not more fun but easier hopefully. As an adult I’ve moved five times, and even more than that growing up. So I’d like to think that I know what I’m talking about. That also means I know what it’s like to move as a couple, with one kid and then with two kids.
Also, we rent. We have yet to make the home buying plunge, so some of the list might be rent specific. But overall it should benefit everyone. Good luck moving and remember to try to relax!
The Details
- Date(s) of move:
- Old Address:
- New Address:
The Ultimate Moving Checklist
- Set up temporary housing in between moves
- Typically 1-3 days
- Pack everyone’s bags for temporary living quarters
- Bring your pillows because you’ll need them in the new house right away
- Pack about 5-7 days worth of clothes in case unpacking takes a while
- Kids items: Night lights, monitors, white noise, animals, blankets, toys etc…
- Snacks for the little ones
- Purge items
- Set up yard sale
- Drop off donations
- Take down everything hanging
- Artwork
- Curtains
- Lights
- Ring doorbell
- Patch holes & paint
- Plants – make sure you have a way to transport them
- I recommend a large storage box minus the lid
- Food – purge your fridge & freezer
- It’s just easier not to haul food so think of eating your way through the fridge & freezer so it’s a minimal food haul
- Food – Figure out where you’re storing food
- Keep at a neighbors
- Getting rid of it (if moving farther away)
- Take to temporary housing, make sure there is a fridge with room
- Moving assistance
- Contact movers
- Confirm with friends & family to help
- Packing
- If you’re lucky enough to hire paid movers, don’t worry
- Otherwise head to UHAUL and pick up all shapes and sizes of boxes along with more bubble wrap & paper than you ever thought possible
- Load up on several permanent markers, 2-3 tape guns, loads of tape and 2-3 boxer cutters too
- Form a do not pack area
- Come day of, you’ll need to place your overnight items and foods in one area so no one loads them in the wrong place
- Make an open first box
- These are items you’ll need right away when moving into the new home
- List coming soon
- Cancel existing services for house
- Electricity
- Gas
- Water
- Trash
- Internet
- Cable
- Gardener
- Set-up services for new house
- Electricity
- Gas
- Water
- Trash
- Internet
- Cable
- Gardener
- Change of address:
- I recommend going through USPS
- Banking
- Credit cards
- List your credit cards here
- Magazines
- List your magazines here
- Grocery cards
- Car insurance
- Health care insurance
- Employer
- Friends & family – let’s be honest, just text everyone
- Breath
- Move in
- Make some new recipes and relax
I hope the ultimate moving checklist makes your life easier. Happy moving all!
Great list! I normally get my boxes at costco and other large stores, they’re happy to get rid of them and it’s free. Plus you get all sorts of sizes and shapes this way. I put codes for meds and other important contents, so I know what’s in them but nobody else does (you’ll need this when your kids grow up).
Great ideas Hanaa! Getting free boxes is always a good idea because that can rack up!
I just moved from LA to Vegas several month ago and I thought I had done a good job purging as I created a detailed checklist similar to yours. Now, as I sit unpacking things that were literally still in boxes that had never even been unpacked when we moved to LA, I think if I ever move again, I just need to get rid of half our stuff. When you are looking around at things to get rid of, multiply it by 2 at least.
Yes, I agree! The amount of stuff we accumulate is crazy. Marie Kondo is so right.
Moving checklist is very helpful for moving. You have explained everything in detail about moving checklist. Surely I will use these tips for my moving work.
Wonderful, thank you!