4 Weeks Before: Foundation Work
Begin preparation a month out by decluttering and confirming moving logistics. Reduce moving volume by 25-30% through donation and disposal. Walk through each room with donation boxes. Items unused in 12+ months should go. Local charities like Goodwill or Salvation Army accept furniture, clothing, and household goods. Schedule donation pickups now—they book weeks in advance during peak season.
4-week preparation checklist:
- Confirm moving company booking and get written estimate
- Review insurance coverage (homeowner's, renter's, mover's)
- Declutter and donate 25-30% of belongings
- Research parking permits if needed at either location
- Order packing supplies (boxes, tape, bubble wrap, markers)
- Create inventory of valuable items for insurance purposes
- Notify landlord or schedule building elevator reservation
2 Weeks Before: Active Preparation
Two weeks out, begin packing non-essential items and coordinating logistics according to
USA.gov moving guidelines. Our
How to Pack for Moving guide provides room-by-room strategies for maximum efficiency.
Pack seasonal items, books, decorative objects, and rarely-used kitchen items. Label boxes clearly with room and contents. Notify utilities (electric, gas, water, internet) of move date. Schedule disconnection at old address and connection at new address. Forward mail through
USPS.
2-week preparation checklist:
- Pack all non-essential items (off-season clothes, books, decor)
- Notify utilities and schedule transfer dates
- Update address with banks, insurance, subscriptions
- Arrange childcare or pet care for moving day
- Measure furniture and doorways at new location
- Back up computer files and digital data
- Use up frozen food and perishables
1 Week Before: Critical Phase
The final week requires completing major preparation tasks. Pack everything except daily essentials. Disassemble furniture to save moving time—movers charge hourly for local moves, so pre-disassembly reduces costs. Confirm all details with your moving company according to
FMCSA regulations.
Defrost refrigerators and freezers 24-48 hours before the move. Empty, clean, and disconnect washers and dryers. Review
What Do Movers Not Move to ensure you're not packing prohibited items like hazardous materials, plants, or perishables.
1-week preparation checklist:
- Pack 90% of belongings (keep only daily essentials unpacked)
- Disassemble beds, tables, shelving units
- Drain garden hoses, empty gas from lawn equipment
- Defrost and clean refrigerator and freezer
- Confirm moving day time and parking arrangements
- Prepare floor plan for new home
- Gather important documents (keep with you, not in truck)
Day Before: Final Preparations
The day before moving day focuses on final packing and logistics. Clear all pathways—hallways, stairs, doorways—for efficient furniture removal. Remove wall hangings and touch up holes with spackle if required by your lease. Pack your essentials box with items needed for the first 24-48 hours at your new home.
Confirm parking arrangements. Many cities require permits for moving trucks. Double-check that movers can park close to your entrance. Contact your moving company to reconfirm arrival time and address.
Day-before checklist:
- Pack essentials box (toiletries, medications, phone chargers, snacks)
- Clear all pathways and remove obstacles
- Secure parking for moving truck
- Set aside items movers won't transport
- Charge all electronics you're taking personally
- Prepare cash or check for movers and tips
- Do final walkthrough and take photos of both locations
Moving Day Morning: Final Steps
Morning of the move, complete final walkthrough and secure valuables. Keep jewelry, important documents, and irreplaceable items with you—never pack them in the moving truck. Prepare payment and tip money. Have your moving contract and inventory list accessible.
When movers arrive, walk through the home pointing out fragile items, furniture requiring special care, and items staying behind. Answer questions clearly. Stay accessible throughout the move but avoid hovering—trust professionals to do their job. Our
Moving Day Tips provide detailed guidance for smooth execution.
Morning-of checklist:
- Do final walkthrough of all rooms, closets, garage, attic
- Secure pets in crate or separate room (or send to daycare)
- Set aside valuables, documents, medications to keep with you
- Have payment ready (cash, check, or card per company policy)
- Prepare tip money (typically $20-40 per mover)
- Provide movers with new address and contact number
- Point out special items requiring extra care
Room-by-Room Preparation
Kitchen: Pack dishes with paper, empty and clean appliances, dispose of perishables. Defrost refrigerator 24-48 hours ahead.
Bedrooms: Disassemble beds, pack linens, remove items from under bed. Keep one set of bedding for last night.
Bathrooms: Pack toiletries, dispose of opened items, clean thoroughly. Keep essentials for morning of move.
Living areas: Disconnect electronics, protect TV screens, remove wall mounts. Bundle and label all cables.
Garage/basement: Drain fluids from equipment, box tools, dispose of chemicals properly. Many items can't go on moving truck.
Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid
Mistakes that cost time and money:
- Not packing before movers arrive (hourly rate continues while you pack)
- Leaving dresser drawers full (adds weight, causes damage)
- Failing to disconnect appliances (movers won't do this)
- Not clearing pathways (increases injury risk and time)
- Packing items movers can't transport (creates delays)
- No parking plan (movers wait at hourly rate while you resolve)
- Mixing essential items with packed boxes (can't find when needed)
Special Preparation Situations
Apartment moves: Reserve elevator and secure parking permit 2-4 weeks ahead. Protect hallways and doors with moving blankets or cardboard. Check building rules about moving hours (many restrict to weekdays 9am-5pm).
Long-distance moves: Pack essential box to travel with you. Prepare detailed inventory for insurance. Consider high-value item riders. Ship or carry irreplaceable items separately.
Storage situations: Label storage boxes exceptionally clearly. Create inventory with box numbers. Consider climate control for electronics, artwork, or sensitive items.
Winter moves: Clear snow from walkways and driveway before movers arrive. Salt icy patches. Have towels ready for wet floors. Extend moving day timeline by 15-20% for weather complications.
Essential Moving Day Supplies
Keep these items accessible on moving day:
- Moving contract and inventory list
- Payment (cash, check, or credit card)
- Tip money (typically $20-40 per mover)
- Snacks and water for yourself and movers
- Phone charger and backup battery
- Basic tools for last-minute adjustments
- Cleaning supplies for final walkthrough
- First aid kit for minor injuries
- Keys to both locations
- Floor plan of new home
Follow this preparation guide to maximize efficiency, minimize costs, and reduce stress on moving day. Proper preparation makes the difference between a smooth move and a stressful experience.
Preparation guidance based on moving industry best practices and federal moving regulations. Consumer protection information from FMCSA and Department of Transportation resources.
