Moving your household is considered one of the most stressful experiences there is and you need a moving timeline to get prepared. Moving stress ranks right up there with death and taxes. It doesn’t have to be that way – with a countdown to moving day and tasks broken down into a workable moving timeline, you can make your move much more manageable.
Here’s your Moving Timeline
8 Weeks Before Moving Day
- Contact movers and get estimates, discuss packing supply prices and needs, as well as insurance for the move. The last week and first week of the month generally fill quickly.
- Start a “Move” file to keep all receipts, estimates, lists, notes and contact information.
- Begin a running list of notifications and those who will need to be contacted with a change of address. These will include:
- Children’s schools
- Current and previous employers
- Utilities, including power, cable, phone, internet and water (always note dates, times, names and confirmation numbers)
- Post Office
- Subscriptions including magazines and newspapers
- Memberships including health clubs and social organizations
- Family and friends
- Begin a ‘valuables’ box to safely transport important documents (social security cards, passports, birth certificates, etc) as well as jewelry, silver and family heirlooms. Not only will this keep them in a central location when needed, they can be transported by you and kept in a safe location during the move.
- If moving out of town, research new medical providers including primary care physicians, dentists and pediatricians and request medical records from current providers.
6-7 Weeks Prior to Moving Day
- Begin sorting through storage, basement, garage and attics to determine what will make the move.
- Sell excess through a moving sale, consignment shop, online site or classified ad.
- Begin packing holiday decorations and out of season items.
- Order packing supplies, include:
- Boxes
- Packing tape
- Unprinted newspaper
- Bubble wrap
- Markers
4-5 Weeks Prior to Moving Day
- Begin a household inventory and take photographs.
- Schedule the activation date for utilities in your new home.
- Make arrangements to transport pets and houseplants.
- Keep packing! Label boxes on both the sides and top of the box. Listing contents can be helpful when you’re looking for that coffeemaker after the move!
- Use color coded labels to place on boxes according to which room they will go into in the new home.
- Check prescriptions to make sure supplies are adequate and have hard copies of any prescriptions for the new pharmacy.
- Contact auto and home insurance companies regarding policies and change of address.
- Open a bank account in your new location.
2-3 Weeks Prior to Moving Day
- Give away or properly dispose of items that cannot be transported, such as paints, paint remover, propane and lighter fluid.
- Keep packing! Remember to not overload boxes, especially the larger boxes with heavy object. It’s okay to fill book boxes completely full with books.
- Finalize moving day plans, including pet and child care arrangements.
- Schedule a cleaning service for the old and new home if necessary.
- Confirm movers and dates of any real estate transactions, such as closings.
The Week Before the Move
- Keep packing! Make sure you have several boxes and trash bags on hand for moving day.
- Put together a moving day box with extra packing tape, markers, basic tools, labels, pen and paper, utility knife and scissors.
- Begin emptying the freezer and refrigerator.
- Pick up dry cleaning, return rentals, gather belongings from lockers, friends, etc.
- Arrange for funds for moving day – both cash on hand and payment for movers.
- Begin putting together a pile of essentials for the first day in your new home (towels, toilet paper, soap, linens, coffee, change of clothes)
Moving Day
- Have a designated person work with movers to answer questions and direct placement of furniture and boxes.
- Offer refreshments such as cold drinks to the movers. Bottled water is always appreciated.
Using this moving timeline will help keep things organized and your life as stress-free as possible.
