We have many customizable checklists, separated by deadlines.
This one is a checklist of 48 things to do on moving day or within a week in the case of a long-distance move – everything you need to know for a successful move is here!
Spreadsheet in the end!
- Make sure your moving day’s game plan is complete.
- Confirm the moving company’s arrival time and other details and specifics to avoid surprises and the last minute calls and errands.
- Read our article about “Move Day Preparation“.
It can help you to prepare to work with us and use the right services before the moving day.
- Or just call us – we will contact you by phone or email to schedule your move at a time that suits you.
- Make sure that your mobile phone is fully charged and that you have enough powerbanks to last through the entire move.
- Get your weather forecast in order before you leave.
- In the case of moving on your own, you can have friends over – it can be helpful when you have a lot of people to help with the move.
Also, chances are they will bring back what they forgot to bring back 😉.
- Find and print copies of your moving folder. Distribute copies of your moving folder, moving quotes, floor plan drafts, mover, home insurance and tax records, contact information, receipts for an after-tax deduction, printed addresses with zip codes, and important documents to your family members.
In case of distant moves it is wise to open separate accounts for each family member in advance – it will save from unforeseen circumstances.
- Check your email with attachments to make sure you’re not missing important information from movers, transportation company, landlord, apartment complex security and parking administration. Recheck the emails and attachments you sent to them.
- Make sure you inform your HR department and your boss that you’ll be moving and that you’d like to request some days off so they can plan for your upcoming move.
- If you move with kids, then you should tell about the situation for your kids school officials in both locations.
- If you’re moving and would like to tip your mover, make sure to go to the bank before moving day.
- Some movers do not accept tips in the form of cash because they use a moving app from the operator or company to do so. Therefore, it is wise to have money in both cash and e-money format.
- Also double-check your other credit cards for additional spending. Many people spend quite large amounts during long car rides… comparable to a business class airline ticket. It’s also worth checking accounts with other payment systems and apps – you never know when you’ll need them.
- Make sure that the moving truck that is scheduled to arrive is from the company you hired.
- Be sure to take a photo of the moving truck and of your belongings. You may need to do this for insurance purposes or to prove your loss if you have to file a claim.
- Take inventory of your belongings and check the labeled boxes to make sure that everything is where it should be. You may want to add some extra markings and tags on them.
- Before the movers leave, sign the waybill and inventory sheet and keep a copy. You may also request a copy of the inventory for the driver if the movers say so.
- Take plenty of photos of your inventory before packing, after packing, at the moment before loading in truck, after loading, after arrival of truck, after unloading and finally after unpacking.
- Don’t forget to take all these photos!
- Have water bottles on-hand – this will give you an opportunity to stop and hydrate. Water rich in electrolytes is preferable.
- Before you leave, be sure to take one last look around your rooms to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything.
- Check all the items in your home again! You may find something you forgot! It’s especially easy to forget décor that’s in the most visible place😅
- Leave a note for your neighbors!
It’s always nice to say goodbye and thank you to those who helped you move. If you have neighbors, leave them a note about what a great experience moving was. It will mean a lot to them and will be a nice surprise for them!
- Make sure your outdoor furniture is free of dirt, grease, and paint. Be sure to remove any leaves, branches, twigs, and other debris that may fall on the furniture before the move, or the movers may pack with them. You should also make sure your outdoor furniture is properly packed to avoid damage. You can also make a list of outdoor things to pack so you know what is needed.
- Double-check the battery of your car or the transportation service company. You need them in time, because the quality of the move depends, among other things, on your presence, even if you have taken the all-inclusive option and the moving company does everything for you. This is especially important for long-distance moves – your schedule should be planned with time and margin of safety. For example, if you know that you can not be late to the airport, then order not only a limousine, but also a simple taxi.
- Let’s go! Whether you’ve already handed over the keys or not, go ahead and let your landlord know that you’re leaving the property.
- And make sure that they can open your locks.
- Don’t let anyone steal your jewelry👀
- Check the contents of the refrigerator, unplug it, empty the shelves and get rid of food, then clean the freezer, ice maker and refrigerator. Wipe each part really well, as a poorly wiped refrigerator can leave an unpleasant odor.
- Prepare to show the movers your items not to be transported in the form of a “Items not to be transported” list and map. 1.) Furniture 2.) Large items 3.) Electronics 4.) Packaged items 5.) Pet supplies 6.) Plants etc.
Better yet, mark them with a nice sticker – “the thing is not for moving – leave it here!”
- Double-check the contents of your safe and especially secret safes, stashes, and hiding places. They are often forgotten.
- Make sure you packed the essentials: food, medicines, toilet paper, clothes, printed documents copies and a backup plan for lodging in the event that the movers are late or cannot deliver on move-in day.
- Make sure there are lots of trash bags available for junk in both homes. Huge construction bags and packages are especially handy.
- Before you leave home, you need to check that all electrical appliances are switched off.
- Double-check and verify the arrival time of your mover.
- They should be ready to load/unload at the time you have scheduled. If your move is within a reasonable time frame, they may be able to load and unload within minutes. If they will be taking longer than expected, be sure to schedule an additional window of time in case there are issues with their equipment or if they encounter unforeseen obstacles.
- When the movers arrive at your current home (early as possible) – show them where everything is, and make sure they understand what will go with them and what won’t, what needs to be packed and what doesn’t. Give them as much information as you can, and then have them start packing.
- Familiarize yourself with the work schedule of the movers: If, for example, they are going to take a break before they finish work, you will need to include this in your plans.
- Ask questions, if you do not know the answer. Always remember to follow up and confirm your plans so that you’re not caught off guard.
- Finally check the list once more before you leave. Make sure you’ve got everything and there’s nothing you’ll need tomorrow.
- Coordinate each & every moment with your movers – this is the right method of moving! Do not panic:
1.) Establish a timeline for your move. This will help you stay on track and avoid any last minute surprises.
2.) Coordinate your move with your movers through the messengers and phone calls.
3.) Have a packing list ready at your hands.
- You need to make sure to arrive well in advance of the movers’ projected arrival.
Make sure to have enough space for all your furniture.
- Wait for the movers. If there is plenty of time, you can play board games with the family, walk to the local library, entertainment centers, and the nearest local history museum. You can also find the local community and find out what your new place of residence breathes.
- Apartment residents should contact the building manager to have the freight elevators available for moving day, so that they don’t have to lug their things up the stairs.
- In the new house, glue the family members’ names and room names on the doors to help the movers. And if you’re going in that direction, you can use stickers to mark where to put your furniture so you don’t have to rearrange it later.
- It is important that the movers working on your move get a copy of the blueprint so they can take measurements to make sure the furniture fits and that the rooms are properly prepared.
- Try to think about what objects might be problematic. Maybe it’s a very heavy item, like a dresser, that you can’t imagine moving on your own? It is in your best interest to have the movers put them in the right place with the fewest number of attempts so that you don’t have to move them yourself later.
- If you are moving across the country, you should double-check your plane tickets and possible delays. If you are moving within a state, you should check with your airline to see if they have any special deals or incentives for moving.
- Hire a cleaning company to clean after the movers leave before the new owners arrive.
- Hiring a cleaning company to clean your new home is important to make your home more attractive. You also need to be sure that they can clean up your garbage and pack junk.
- The parking lot epic🙃
1.) Double-check your plan for relocation parking permits.
2.) Check your parking app to see where the closest parking is available.
3.) Schedule parking with local parking authorities near your old and new homes.
- Before the movers arrive, in some cases, it’s worth putting a paralon around door jambs so they won’t get damaged by dragging large furniture through. Clear the entryways and prepare cardboard, and blankets to protect wood floors and carpets.
- Also alert your security team of the arrival of the movers.
“Hi security team, We are expecting the movers to arrive soon. Please be on the lookout for them😁”.
- Ask movers to load furniture and belongings so that the furthest rooms of your new home are filled first.
- Check your fragile items and plants. Keep your pets in carriers or in a separate room until you put all fragile items out of their reach.
- Save some boxes for your next move.
- Also, boxes are great for storing things and help you keep them organized.
- Schedule installation dates for your composite furniture and wiring.
- Hang curtains and drape the windows. People from the outside should not be able to see where and what you put!
- Keep your house safe by making sure all doors and windows are locked at night and that all your windows are locked from the inside. Make sure to put away and lock up all valuables and documents when not in use, such as in a desk drawer or in a safe or secret hiding place. Don’t leave valuables lying around where they can be stolen or damaged. Store documents such as bank account information, passport information, birth certificates, etc., in a safe deposit box or other secure location.
- Say hello to your new home, neighborhood, community and landlord.
- Finally relax!
Your moving day checklist (spreadsheet)
