Ultimate Moving Checklist and Planning Timeline

Our advice comes from founder Ryan Carrigan’s years in the moving industry, research on 4,500+ movers, and real stories from people who’ve moved, shared through our Better Moves Project.

Eight weeks before moving day

It can seem early, but start planning your move about two months in advance. Use this time to compare moving services, get estimates, and set your budget.

Better Moves Project participant Danielle M. moved a three-bedroom home from Virginia Beach, Virginia, to Tampa, Florida, in a moving container in 2022. Her advice: “Give yourself more time to plan than you want to. It’ll make it less stressful even if you’re excited to get where you’re going”

Research moving services

One of the first steps in planning your move is to research the types of moving services available.

• Full-service: The best moving companies and best long-distance movers handle loading, unloading, and transportation, but at a higher price point. White glove moving services that add packing and extra supplies cost more still.
• DIY: If you’re on a tight budget, moving truck rentals and moving container companies cost about 30% less than full-service movers on average, but you do the loading, unloading, and sometimes the driving.

Knowing what each option costs and what you’re willing to spend will help you decide which services make the most sense. Moving to another state? Start with our breakdown of the cost to move out of state.

Best overall value

Safeway Moving

rating 4.9 / 5

Licensed

Insured

Price

• Best overall value
• Veteran owned
• Portion to charity

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(855) 650-0657 Safeway Moving Review

Most experienced mover

American Van Lines

rating 4.9 / 5

Licensed

Insured

Price

• Certified crews
• Flat-rate pricing
• Family-owned

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(866) 835-2392 American Van Lines Review

Best Nationwide Coverage

PODS

rating 4.8 / 5

Licensed

Insured

Price

• Unlimited storage
• 3 container sizes
• 10% discount

Get a Quote

(855) 394-4102 PODS Review

Get moving estimates

No matter where you’re moving, a ballpark estimate helps you stay within your budget. Every company quotes differently, so our moving cost calculator lets you compare multiple estimates side by side.

Your cost will change depending on whether you rent a truck, book a moving container, or hire a full-service mover. For example, Better Moves Project participant Marcel moved a two-bedroom home from Jersey City, New Jersey, to Austin, Texas, with Safeway Moving, our top overall pick among the best moving companies. He was quoted $5,290 for the 1,753-mile move and paid exactly that.

Marcie N., who moved a three-bedroom home from Los Angeles to Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 2022, recommends starting this step early: “If possible, start the estimate process at least 2 months before your move date and get several quotes.”

Those add-ons are real. Access fees for stair carries, elevator carries, long carries, and shuttle service add $75 – $500+ to a move when the truck can’t load directly at your home, and fuel surcharges add 8% – 15% to transportation charges on long-distance moves. Ask every mover to list these charges in writing before you compare prices.

Set a moving budget

Here are five simple steps for creating your moving budget:

• ☐ Estimate costs. Some companies like U-Pack quote online, but many require a phone call or a video survey. Request free quotes from at least three similar companies.
• ☐ List expenses. For DIY moves, common costs include the rental truck and packing materials like bubble wrap, packing tape, and cardboard boxes. If you hire a full-service mover, services like packing and furniture assembly may cost extra. Professional packing adds $0.15 – $0.21 per pound on average.
• ☐ Account for hidden fees. Think about security deposits, utility connection fees, tolls, and fuel for a rental truck.
• ☐ Anticipate the cost of settling in. You may spend more on kitchenware, furniture, takeout, and other comforts in your first few weeks.
• ☐ Track as you go. Put every cost in a spreadsheet, save receipts, and compare what you spend against your plan.

Other to-do items

Once you’ve researched movers, compared at least three quotes, and set a budget, take care of these tasks eight weeks before your move:

• ☐ Research new banks, doctors, and schools
• ☐ Create a moving binder or folder to keep track of quotes and receipts
• ☐ Read up on your rights through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Protect Your Move program if you’re moving across state lines
• ☐ Check your lease and give your landlord notice on time
• ☐ Tell your employer and ask about relocation benefits
• ☐ Explain the move to your kids
• ☐ Plan a garage sale or list items to sell online

Ready to see real prices for your route? Compare moving quotes in minutes.

Six weeks before moving day

Once you’ve compared moving services and set a budget, it’s time to cut down what you own and get ready to pack.

Declutter and organize

You can declutter and organize your belongings before your move with the following steps:

• ☐ Decide what items to keep. You’ll likely get rid of some things before you pack, but know what you’re not willing to part with. Keep a list and take pictures if it helps.
• ☐ Decide what items to sell or donate. Sort the items you aren’t keeping into newer, more valuable things to sell and gently used items to donate. Donations can be tax deductible, so keep receipts in your moving binder.
• ☐ Identify fragile and special items. Note any furniture, antiques, art, or electronics that are extra fragile or valuable.
• ☐ Figure out how to move them. Depending on how many delicate items you have, ask your mover about specialty packing or crating.
• ☐ Digitize documents. Except for official documents like birth certificates, many old papers can be shredded or scanned to a flash drive or cloud storage.
• ☐ Measure furniture. Measuring early helps you decide whether larger or older pieces are worth moving.

Cindy C., who moved a 4,500-square-foot home from Fairfax, Virginia, to Wilmington, North Carolina, in 2022, put it simply: “I have way too much stuff in my new place. I would have purged my things more thoroughly before packing.”

Prep for packing

Now that you’ve decluttered, prepare to pack. Planning ahead matters even more if you’re hiring movers to pack in addition to loading and unloading.

Packing prep keeps you organized and helps you avoid unnecessary stress. Here’s what to do before you fill your first box:

• ☐ Make a packing schedule. Whether you pack a little every day (which is ideal) or set aside a few weekends and evenings, make a schedule and stick to it.
• ☐ Buy supplies in one trip. Use our moving box calculator to estimate how many boxes you need, then buy a few extra.
• ☐ Research packing tips. From packing one room at a time to using tape effectively, review our top moving hacks and our guide on how to pack for a move.
• ☐ Set up a labeling system. Decide on room names, colors, or numbers before you start, so every box is labeled the same way. Our guide to labeling moving boxes has ideas.
• ☐ Reserve storage. If some belongings need to go into storage, reserve the space now, unless your moving container company offers storage as an add-on.

Gillian J. moved a one-bedroom apartment from Charlotte, North Carolina, to New Orleans with U-Pack in 2024. Looking back, she said she “Started packing earlier, and bought more supplies at the beginning of the packing process! Part of what contributed to the lengthiness and stress of getting our belongings packed up was having to make multiple runs to stores for more packing supplies.”

Measure doorways and staircases

To figure out how to get furniture out of your old home and into your new one, measure your doorways and staircases with a flexible tape measure.

For doorways, measure the width and height, plus the diagonal from the top left corner to the bottom right. That diagonal clearance tells you whether a piece can tilt through.

For stairs, measure the height of the staircase, the height and depth of each step, the width and length of any landings, and the clearance to the ceiling.

Other to-do items

Once you’ve decluttered, prepped for packing, and measured, take care of these steps six weeks before your move:

• ☐ Look up each mover’s USDOT number in the FMCSA SAFER database to avoid scams. Our USDOT lookup guide shows you how
• ☐ Request time off from work for the move
• ☐ Notify schools and request transcripts and records
• ☐ Choose new schools for kids
• ☐ Make travel plans for moving day if you’re flying or driving long distance
• ☐ Do any needed home repairs
• ☐ Service your vehicle

Comparing quotes before you book saves moveBuddha users more than 30% on average compared to taking the first quote they get.

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What if you have less than eight weeks to move?

If you have less than eight weeks, book your mover first and compress everything else around that date. Moving dates fill up fast, especially in summer, so the booking is the task you can’t push back. Many people in our Better Moves Project worked on short timelines: Adam P. booked a mover in one day for a move from Austin, Texas, to Stockbridge, Massachusetts, with 24 days’ notice, and Sam S. found a mover in two days with three weeks to go.

Marcie N. explained why speed matters: “The closer to your move date you get to, the less likely they’ll be able to accommodate your desired move dates.”

Here’s how to fit the checklist into a shorter window:

• ☐ Four weeks or more: Get quotes and book within the first week, then follow the four-week checklist below.
• ☐ Two to three weeks: Book a mover, container, or truck within a day or two. Declutter as you pack instead of as a separate step, and consider paying movers to pack the kitchen and fragile items.
• ☐ Less than two weeks: Call movers directly and ask about open dates. Set up utilities and your change of address right away, then pack an essentials box first in case the rest runs late.

Short on time? See our guide on how to move in one day.

Need movers on short notice? Check which movers have open dates.

Four weeks before moving day

Here’s what you need to do one month out from your move.

Choose a mover and confirm your booking

Now that you’ve compared quotes from at least three moving companies, pick the company and type of service that fits your move and budget.

When we spoke with Faraz Hemani of Iron Storage, he told us he starts “by getting at least three written estimates that spell out whether they’re binding or non-binding and include a detailed inventory of everything being moved.” He then takes these steps to make a move go as smoothly as possible:

• Verifies licensing and insurance by checking each mover’s USDOT and MC numbers directly with regulators.
• Reviews liability terms on the bill of lading and asks how claims are handled and how long resolutions usually take.
• Requires an on-site survey so the mover can accurately assess what’s being moved and any access issues like tight driveways, stairs, or elevators.
• Gets all fees and payment terms in writing and keeps copies of deposits and receipts.
• Photographs valuable items and keeps a duplicate inventory list in a separate, secure place from anything traveling with the move.

Whether you’re driving a rental truck, loading PODS or another moving container, or hiring a full-service mover, book at least four weeks in advance.

Before you sign, ask about valuation coverage. Released Value and Full Value Protection are carrier liability options, not moving insurance, and we recommend working with your mover to get Full Value Protection rather than buying a separate third-party policy. If you have car shipping or pet transport needs, book those now too. See our top picks for best car shippers and pet shipping companies.

Start or continue packing

If you haven’t stocked up yet, buy boxes, tape, bubble wrap, and other packing supplies now. Then check your packing schedule to see how much you need to finish each week.

Start with items you won’t need before the move, and pack room by room. It’s also a good time to figure out how to move your houseplants and check which items movers won’t move, like flammables and perishables.

Kaley M., who moved a one-bedroom apartment from Los Angeles to Lombard, Illinois, in 2024, has advice for pacing: “Take time off work – at least 2 weeks if you’re moving across the country. Pace yourself – start packing early and know that the last 10% will take the longest and be the hardest.”

Best Nationwide Coverage

PODS Review

Licensed

Insured

Price

rating 4.8 / 5

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(855) 394-4102

Use or donate unwanted items

You’ve already set aside what you want to donate. Now schedule a drop-off or a pickup with a charitable organization.

It’s also time to eat through perishables, use up pantry items, and cook the meals in the back of the freezer, so you won’t have to throw food away in a few weeks.

Get your documents in order

You’ve already digitized or shredded non-essential papers. Now gather your official documents in one binder or file folder that travels with you, not on the truck:

• ☐ Passports
• ☐ Driver’s licenses
• ☐ Birth certificates
• ☐ Social Security cards
• ☐ Financial documents like bank statements, loan documents, and tax returns
• ☐ Legal documents like leases and property deeds
• ☐ Educational records like transcripts and diplomas
• ☐ Medical records and other healthcare information
• ☐ Employment documents like pay stubs and contracts
• ☐ Receipts and warranties
• ☐ Moving documents like your estimate and contract with your mover

Set up new service providers

Before you move in, schedule service for electricity, water, gas, internet, and trash at your new home. If you’re moving into an apartment, some utilities may already be set up, but double-check with your landlord.

While you’re handling paperwork, file your change of address with the U.S. Postal Service, online or at your local post office, so your mail starts forwarding on time.

Other to-do items

Remember to do these things four weeks before your move:

• ☐ Confirm parking for the moving truck, and reserve elevators or loading docks if your building requires it
• ☐ Request vet records and refill pet medications
• ☐ Cancel or transfer gym memberships and local subscriptions
• ☐ Take photos of furniture in case of damage during the move
• ☐ Line up temporary housing if your move-in date doesn’t match your move-out date
• ☐ Ask friends to help if you’re doing a DIY move
• ☐ Make a moving day playlist (that your friends don’t hate)
• ☐ Set aside a small safe or lockbox for valuables that travel with you

Booking four weeks out? Lock in your date before the best crews fill up.

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Two weeks before moving day

At 14 days out, you’re in the home stretch. This is what you still have to do.

Clear storage units and safe deposit boxes

If you have a local storage unit you’re moving out of, clean it out now. Empty any safe deposit box at your bank and make sure your valuables and documents are accounted for.

Return borrowed items

Packing often turns up things that belong to friends and family. Return them now. They’ll appreciate it, and they may be more likely to help with the move.

Clean up

Whether you rent or own, leave your old home in the same or better condition than when you moved in. That means deep cleaning, washing outdoor furniture, cleaning rugs, patching small holes, and finishing any repairs.

Safely dispose of anything flammable or hazardous, like paint, propane, and old batteries, since movers won’t take them.

Send out moving announcements

As your moving date gets closer, tell friends and family where you’ll be. Email works well, and some people prefer social media.

Even with a private profile, don’t post your new address publicly. Share it by direct message, email, or printed announcements.

Other to-do items

At this point, there are just a few more things to do to prep for your move:

• ☐ Prep two weeks’ worth of simple meals
• ☐ Refill prescriptions
• ☐ Back up your computer and phone
• ☐ Order any new furniture for your new home
• ☐ Reconfirm moving arrangements, dates, and arrival windows
• ☐ Book a babysitter or pet sitter for moving day
• ☐ Make a list of emergency services and urgent care near your new home
• ☐ Set up trash removal and recycling at your new address

Still need a mover? Get quotes from movers with open dates.

How do you keep track of what’s in every box?

The easiest way to keep track of your boxes is a numbered inventory list with one line per box. Write the box number, the room it came from, the room it’s going to, and what’s inside. A spreadsheet on your phone works, and so does a notebook. If something goes missing or arrives damaged, the list is your proof.

• ☐ Number every box and write the same number on your list.
• ☐ Label the destination room on the top and at least one side, so the crew can drop boxes in the right place.
• ☐ Mark fragile boxes and note anything valuable on your list.
• ☐ Add your name and phone number to boxes and furniture on long-distance moves, where shipments can share a truck.
• ☐ Photograph valuables and electronics before they’re packed.

Ross M. moved a two-bedroom home from Norristown, Pennsylvania, to Cordova, Tennessee, in 2022. He told us, “I had a book in which I wrote down what exactly was in every box; due to time constraints, I didn’t write down everything and I wish I had started packing a week earlier so that everything would be written down.”

Stephanie B., who moved antique furniture, china, and large paintings, added, “I put address labels + phone number on every box and piece of furniture.” And Yvonne T., who moved a two-bedroom home from Los Angeles to Brooklyn in 2024, recommends that you “label your boxes so when they move it in your new place, they place the boxes in their designated rooms so unpacking can be faster and easier for you.”

The week of the move

The next week may be stressful, but all the work you’re doing gets you closer to the finish line.

Finish packing

By now, you might be wondering how you ever accumulated so much stuff. Keep going: pack the rest of your belongings and take apart any furniture you agreed to disassemble.

Pack a first-night box with chargers, a first aid kit, and anything your kids and pets need. Pack a suitcase with a few days of clothing and toiletries, too.

Confirm your move

• ☐ Call your mover to confirm the date, arrival window, and crew size
• ☐ Confirm the delivery window and how the driver will contact you
• ☐ Confirm utility shutoff at your old home and setup at your new one
• ☐ Let neighbors know when the truck will be blocking parking or the driveway

Get your home ready for moving day

There are a few steps to take before you move out:

• ☐ Protect old and new floors from scratches on moving day
• ☐ Take pictures of each room once it’s empty
• ☐ Withdraw cash for movers’ tips
• ☐ Hire a cleaning service, if needed

Other to-do items

Now that you’ve finished packing and prepared your home, check off these small items:

• ☐ Empty fuel from grills, heaters, and lawn equipment
• ☐ Donate unopened food
• ☐ Empty, defrost, and dry your fridge and freezer before moving day. See how to hook up appliances once you arrive
• ☐ Arrange to get the keys to your new home
• ☐ Check the weather for rain, ice, snow, or extreme heat
• ☐ Come up with a Plan B for the move

What should go in your first-night box?

Your first-night box should hold everything you need for the first 24 to 48 hours, since your other boxes may not be unpacked, or even delivered, right away. Keep it with you in the car instead of on the truck.

• ☐ IDs, moving contracts, and other documents you may need during the move
• ☐ Cash and credit cards
• ☐ Medications, toiletries, and a change of clothes
• ☐ Phone chargers and a power strip
• ☐ Bedding and towels
• ☐ Toilet paper, paper towels, and basic cleaning supplies
• ☐ Tape, scissors, a box cutter, and a small toolbox
• ☐ A flashlight
• ☐ Snacks, water, coffee, and tea
• ☐ A pot or pan, plates, and utensils if your delivery may take days
• ☐ Pet food, bowls, and leashes, and favorite toys for kids

On long-distance moves, plan for more than one night. Kelly R., who moved a one-bedroom apartment from Houston to Denver in 2024, told us, “I wish we had a more accurate estimate of how long the move would take so we could have planned better around packing things like pots and pans to be more comfortable in the empty apartment and spend less eating out.”

Moving day

Moving day is finally here. It may not be stress-free, but it’s much easier when you’ve done most of the prep ahead of time.

Here’s what we recommend to keep moving day as smooth as possible.

Meet, greet, and supervise movers

You’ve already researched and booked your movers. When the crew arrives:

• ☐ Confirm the company: Make sure the USDOT number on the truck and paperwork matches your quote. On long-distance moves, a partner company in the mover’s network may do the move, so ask about that ahead of time.
• ☐ Review the bill of lading before you sign: The bill of lading is your receipt and your contract for the move. Check the pickup and delivery dates, the price, and your valuation coverage, and keep a copy.
• ☐ Walk through the inventory: On long-distance moves, the crew tags and lists your items. Note the condition of anything already damaged.
• ☐ Offer refreshments: Water and a few snacks go a long way, especially on hot days.
• ☐ Tip your movers: A common guideline is 5% – 10% of the bill for a standard move and 15% – 20% for outstanding service or a complex move. If you’d rather tip per person, $20 – $30 per mover for a half-day move and $40 – $60 per mover for a full day are typical. See our movers tipping guide.

Do a final sweep

Before the truck leaves, walk through every room, closet, cabinet, and the garage. Check that nothing was left behind, and take final photos.

Take inventory of your belongings

When your belongings are delivered, check them against your inventory list for missing items. Note any damage on the delivery paperwork before the crew leaves, and photograph damaged items for your claim.

Start unpacking

Once everything is inside, open your first-night box, set up beds, and then unpack room by room.

If your time is limited and your budget is flexible, services like HireAHelper can help you unpack and assemble furniture in your new home.

Comparing full-service and DIY options for your move? See prices for every type of move.

After the move: your first-month checklist

Here are the final steps to wrap up your move:

FAQ

How far in advance should you start a moving checklist?

Start your moving checklist about eight weeks before moving day. That gives you time to compare at least three quotes, set a budget, and declutter before you book. If you’re moving during the busy summer season or across the country, starting even earlier gives you more dates to choose from.

Can I ride to my new home with the movers?

No, you typically can’t ride to your new home with the movers because of liability rules. Plan to drive your own car, or fly and use one of the top car shippers to transport your vehicle. If you rent a moving truck, you’ll drive your belongings yourself.

Is it worth it to hire professional movers?

It’s worth hiring professional movers if you can afford it and you’re moving a larger home or a long distance. Movers cost more than doing everything yourself, but they save you time and heavy lifting. Moving containers and rental trucks cost about 30% less than full-service movers on average if you can do the loading yourself.

How much should I tip the movers?

A common guideline is 5% – 10% of your moving bill for a standard move and 15% – 20% for outstanding service or a complex move. If you’d rather tip per person, $20 – $30 per mover for a half-day move and $40 – $60 per mover for a full-day move are typical. Tipping is always appreciated but never required.

What should be on a moving checklist for an international move?

Your moving abroad checklist should include researching healthcare, cultural norms, and cost of living in your new country, meeting entry and visa requirements, deciding what to store or sell, and having a plan if the move doesn’t work out. International moves take more planning, so see our picks for the best international movers.

What should I prioritize on my moving checklist?

Prioritize setting your budget and booking your mover first, since moving dates are the hardest thing to change later. Start comparing quotes about two months in advance. Our moving cost calculator gives you side-by-side estimates from multiple moving services at once.

What should go in a moving day survival kit?

A moving day survival kit should include your IDs and moving documents, cash and cards, medications, toiletries, a change of clothes, chargers, bedding, toilet paper, basic tools, a flashlight, cleaning supplies, and snacks and water. Keep it with you instead of on the truck.

What’s the most important thing on a moving checklist?

The most important thing on a moving checklist is booking a trustworthy mover early, because every other task depends on your moving date. Start about eight weeks out, compare at least three quotes, and check every mover’s USDOT number before you pay a deposit. To see what your move should cost, get instant estimates with our moving cost calculator.

Ryan Carrigan

Ryan Carrigan is the co-founder of moveBuddha and a leading voice in the moving industry, helping hundreds of thousands of Americans make smarter, safer relocation decisions each year. With more than a decade of experience analyzing moving companies, pricing trends, and industry regulations, Ryan brings hands-on industry knowledge and data-driven insight to every guide and review. His research has been featured in Forbes, Consumer Reports, The New York Times, and NBC News.