Plan your move
The moving checklist that gets you to move day.
Every task a real move needs — from eight weeks out to your first week in the new place. Check things off as you go (progress saves in your browser, never on our servers) or print it and stick it on the fridge.
The full checklist
Plan (8–4 weeks out)
- Compare 3+ moving company quotes — Side-by-side estimates so you spot outliers and lowballs.
- Verify the moving company is licensed (DOT / FMCSA) — Interstate movers must have a USDOT number; intrastate via your state PUC.
- Book your moving date (6-8 weeks ahead in peak season) — Summer dates fill up fastest. Earlier is cheaper.
- Sort, sell, or donate everything you don’t want to move — Movers price by weight + volume. Less stuff = lower bill.
Pack (4–1 weeks out)
- Source moving boxes (buy, borrow, or scavenge)
- Pack one room at a time, label each box — Color-code by destination room to speed unpacking.
- Pack an essentials bag (first 48 hours) — Toiletries, meds, chargers, phone chargers, a change of clothes.
Move week
- File USPS change-of-address (free, online) — Forward mail for 12 months while you update accounts.
- Schedule utility transfers (electric, gas, water, internet) — Start service at the new address before move-in day.
- Update homeowner / renter insurance for the new address
- Photograph high-value items + electronics before loading — Documentation for damage claims if anything arrives broken.
Settle in (week 1 in the new place)
- Register vehicles in your new state (deadlines vary) — Most states: 30 days. CA: 10 days. Check your state’s DMV.
- Register to vote at your new address
- Find a primary-care doctor + transfer prescriptions
- Introduce yourself to neighbors — A small thing that pays back over years.
- Leave an honest review of your moving company — Helps the next person making the same decision.
Frequently asked questions
When should I start my moving checklist?
Eight weeks before move day. The first tasks — comparing quotes, verifying the mover is licensed, and booking the date — drive both cost and risk, and they reward starting early: peak-season dates fill 6–8 weeks ahead, and early bookers pay less.
What should I do first when planning a move?
Three things in week one: get three or more written estimates, verify each company is licensed (USDOT for interstate moves, your state regulator for in-state), and lock the date. Everything else on the checklist sequences from those.
Does my checklist progress save?
Yes — progress saves in your browser (localStorage), never on our servers. Check tasks off here or from any guide page that shows the checklist, and the same progress follows you around the site. No account or email needed.
Can I print this moving checklist?
Yes. Use the print button on this page — the print layout strips the interactive elements and gives you the full task list with checkbox squares, grouped by phase, ready for the fridge door.