Congratulations! You’ve found your next home and your mortgage has been approved! Your mortgage advisor will have told you what the next steps are on your home loan. But what about moving? The best way to keep moving day as stress free as possible is planning. Break things into bite sized chunks by planning as far in advance as you can. Put together a binder with calendars, schedules, contacts, and estimates so everything is one place. Make sure your moving checklist is front and center! Evaluate what furniture you have to decide if you want to take it with you. Measure everything to make sure it not only fits in the room, but that it will go through the door or stairways.
Eight weeks may sound like a long time to plan, but smart planning is what makes moving day stress-free. To manage this big project, we’ve put together a moving checklist that starts 8 weeks out. Take a deep breath. Nothing feels better than crossing things off your list.
Maybe you’re a first time home buyer, maybe you’re moving to a larger home, or maybe you’re downsizing. There are some things to think about that are specific to you.
Quick Note For First Time Home Buyers, Moving Up, Or Downsizing
If you’re moving out of an apartment or rental home, make sure to clean it and make any small repairs. This will help you if there is a dispute about getting your deposit returned. Take photos of each room as it gets emptied to show that things are ship shape before the next tenant moves in.
Moving to a larger home? Now is a good time to evaluate the furniture you have. What’s working for you? What needs to go? Measure the items you want to keep. Sometimes the scale of a larger home means your apartment-sized furniture doesn’t fit. Donate what isn’t coming with you.
Downsizing? Time to lighten your load! Take lots of measurements of furniture and rugs. Those chunky couches might not fit in a smaller room. Meaningful items like holiday ornaments, childhood trophies, or artwork can be handed down.
8 Weeks Before Moving
Start your moving project early! Now is the time to get organized with a moving binder to put all your schedules, calendars, invoices, contact lists in one place. Take a look at what you have. Measure your furniture and decide what will fit in the new house, and what will need to go. Measure everything to make sure it will fit through doors and stairways. Pack vital documents, health records, insurance files in one box so you can find quickly after the move. Research moving companies and get affordable pricing. Back up your computer, photos and music. Create an inventory list. You’ll need this for your movers, and to make sure nothing gets lost along the way. Identify items that may need special packing like artwork, piano or machinery. Now is the time to do a deep clean.
6 Weeks Before Moving
Before moving to your new location take pictures of your valuables, and do any small home repairs. Hop online to your community page and see if anyone is getting rid of their moving boxes. Free moving boxes can also be found at grocery or hardware stores. Decide if you’ll need a storage unit and make those arrangements now. Does the new house need any prep before you arrive? Schedule paint, repairs, or order new furniture if necessary. Schedule time off from work. See if you can make it happen over a long weekend to give you more time to settle in.
4 Weeks Before Moving
Decide which moving company you’re going to use and get any necessary insurance. If you’re moving out of town, now is the time to make travel arrangements. Contact your utility companies like internet and cable to let them know you’re moving. They’ll need to know when to turn off the old utilities and when to turn on the new, if you’re moving locally. Fill prescriptions and make sure your medical needs are set. You don’t want to get to your new home and find out you’re down to your last pill and don’t have a doctor to call. Purchase packing supplies like tape, bubble wrap, packing peanuts.
2 Weeks Before Moving
Confirm your moving dates with the moving company. Fill out your change of address. Let everyone know your new address, like family and friends. Update magazine subscriptions. Double check your automated payments and update those. Update your driver’s license and insurance. Plan meals for the last couple of weeks. This might be a good time to hire a baby sitter or pet sitter so you can focus on your moving checklist. Start packing. Plan a moving party.
1 Week Before Moving
Here we go! It’s time to start taking apart the big furniture so it’s easier to pack. How about packing an overnight bag so you’re not looking for your toothbrush once you relocate? Include any tools or flashlights that will make things easier. Gather up all those keys: front door, back door, mailbox, and garage. Don’t forget the storage shed keys. Go to the bank and get some cash. Clean up each room as it gets packed. An empty room is easier to clean. Schedule a walk through. Finish packing.
Moving Day
Clear a path through the house for the moving people to walk through. Take a look at their paperwork and inventory list to make sure it’s correct. Keep the movers happy with a pizza, sandwiches or donuts. Make sure to tip them. Have someone meet the movers at the new house so they’re not waiting for you. Don’t forget an empty room is easier to clean. If there is time, do a quick clean at the new house before the movers arrive. Do a final walk through. Tip the movers.
1 Day After Moving
Go to the grocery store and fill up the fridge with some essentials. Make the beds and unpack the bathrooms. Check the utilities. Change the locks. You don’t know how many people have a “spare key”. Start planning your house warming party. Take some time to get to know your new neighbors and learn about the HOA. Write thank you notes.
2 Weeks After Moving
Finish unpacking. Make spare keys. Enjoy your house warming party! Save this moving checklist and binder for your next move.