Moving Across Town? Here Is the Checklist You Don’t Want to Miss

Moving across town can be a different situation compared to moving across the country. While you may think you don’t need to hire a moving company, some companies specialize in interstate moving. Short moves require just as much planning as long-distance moves, so ensure you have the following squared away before the day comes.

8 Weeks Before the Big Move

• Search for a new home and make an offer as soon as possible.
• Put your home on the market or if you’re renting, let your landlord know.
• Inventory all your things with pictures.
• Research moving companies.
• Request an estimate from the moving company.
• Create a budget for what you need and what you want.
• Research the local schools if you have kids.

7 Weeks to Go

• Read all documents before signing with a moving company.
• Confirm the moving company is certified and insured.
• Request any necessary time off from work for moving day.
• Prepare for a yard sale or garage sale to happen in about two weeks.
• Consider how you’ll move big or fragile things like pianos or pool tables.
• Get a storage unit if you need to store some of your belongings.

6 Weeks Left and Counting

• Ask friends for help if you’re making the move yourself.
• For a DIY move, reserve a truck well ahead of time.
• If you’re hiring professionals, decide on the moving company you want to use.
• Order and pick up any necessary moving supplies like boxes and bubble wrap.
• If you have kids, let the schools know you’re moving.
• Take pictures of every wired electronic going with you so that you can reassemble later.
• Begin dismantling unneeded furniture and bag all of the hardware together.
• Take inventory of any minor repairs that you need to make in your current home.

5 Weeks – Time Is Moving Fast

• Pack a little bit every day.
• Fix any minor repairs that you noticed the week before.
• Consider color-coding and labeling all of your boxes to find them easier at the end.
• Donate unneeded items and keep track of all tax deduction receipts.
• Create a packing timeline for what you have left to pack.
• Sell items on social media platforms or other online apps.
• Host a garage sale or yard sale.
• Search for all personal records like birth certificates, passports, and medical.

4 Weeks and Your Head Is Spinning

• Confirm your moving company reservation date and time.
• Alert your utility companies that you’re moving in a month.
• Declutter even more and decide what else needs to go.
• Toss whatever can’t be donated or used before moving and put out a little each week.
• Pack one room at a time, thinking about what you’ll need your first few nights.
• Update your picture inventory.

3 Weeks and You Know It Is Coming

• Update your new address on all of your accounts and subscriptions.
• Update your new address with insurance companies.
• Update your address with your employer, payroll, and government offices like the IRS.
• Go online and pick a date to start having your mail forwarded.
• Hire a babysitter or ask a friend to help watch your kids as packing goes into high gear.

2 Weeks – It’s So Close

• Confirm dates and times with your moving company again to make sure nothing changed.
• Confirm your dates with your employer.
• Gather all important documents.
• Take everything you don’t need to a storage unit to make room to clean out your current house.

One Week Left Until Moving Day

• Clean your current house.
• Complete errands like picking up your moving truck the day before moving day.
• Pack most essentials and create an essentials box.
• Keep an eye on the weather, so you’re prepared.
• If you’re renting, plan for a final walkthrough with the current landlord.

Moving Day Has Arrived

• Get a good night’s sleep the night before.
• Take your essentials box with you.
• Hand over the keys to your realtor.
• Start getting comfy in your new home.

Following a Checklist Makes Moving Easier

Moving can be super stressful because there are so many moving parts that make up the whole process. By having an easy-to-follow checklist, you’ll be more likely not to miss anything. Use this checklist as a jumping-off point and add things that may not be on here for the best possible experience, even if you’re just moving across town.

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