MOVING CHECKLIST

Moving Tips for Buyers and Sellers

There’s so much to do when relocating from one city to another, or even across town! When it’s impossible to keep all the details straight, and when the risk of overlooking something really important is high when you’re distracted and stressed, it really helps to have a written checklist. Here are some suggestions for your list:

8 Weeks Before You Move

  • Create a moving binder with dividers and organize it

  • Print 2 sets of the Moving Checklist – one for your binder and one to take with you

  • Identify appointments to be scheduled, like mover, storage company, doctors, agent, title company, sitters, kennels, etc.

  • Measure furniture

  • Pack vital document, prescriptions, and valuables

  • Back up files

  • Research moving companies

  • Create a room-by-room inventory

  • Sell or donate unwanted items

  • Request time off work if needed

  • Identify items that need specialty packing or loading

  • Do a deep clean

6 Weeks Before You Move

  • Continue researching moving companies

  • Identify amount of moving boxes and packing materials needed

  • Do inventory and take photos of valuables

  • Do small repairs

  • Reserve a storage unit if needed

doing small repairs

4 Weeks Before You Move

  • Choose moving company
  • Get moving insurance coverage
  • Make travel arrangements (flights, hotels, rental cars)
  • Buy packing supplies
  • Plan and order decor for new home (window coverings, sheets, pillows, rugs, etc.)
  • Tune up car
  • Contact internet, TV, and utility providers
  • Fill prescriptions

2 Weeks Before You Move

  • Change address
  • Give everyone new address
  • Update or cancel subscriptions
  • Confirm moving dates
  • Begin packing and label as you go
  • Plan meals for move week
  • Get a babysitter, pet sitter, or both
  • Update driver’s license, auto insurance, and car registration
  • Alert credit card companies of the move
  • Plan a moving party
doing paperwork getting ready to move

1 Week Before You Move

  • Disassemble big furniture
  • Start cleaning empty rooms
  • Pack suitcases
  • Collect keys and garage door openers
  • Schedule final walk-through
  • Pack a 24-hour moving kit (clothes, toiletries, medications, chargers, laptops, the Moving Binder, etc.)
  • Take pictures of empty home
  • Get cash from ATM
  • Have new home cleaned
  • Identify unpacking priorities
  • Finish packing (before moving day!)

Moving Day!

  • Wake up on time
  • Clear a path from house to moving truck
  • Check paperwork details – what did you forget?
  • Talk to movers
  • Order pizza
  • Sign movers’ inventory list
  • Conduct final walk-through
  • Tip movers
  • Order dinner to go
moving day little boy with boxes

1 Day After the Move

  • Go grocery shopping
  • Set up beds and bathrooms
  • Change locks
  • Set up home security
  • Check utilities
  • Plan a housewarming party
  • Leave a moving review
  • Send thank you notes

2 Weeks After the Move

  • Finish unpacking and recycle boxes
  • Make spare keys
  • Host housewarming party
  • Save moving binder and checklist
  • Sit back and relax
relax in your new home

More Resources

Find helpful links and contact information on our Resources page or if you’re stuck with a question about your East Bay property, contact me.

CONTACT DARIN