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Pre-Move Planning: How To Prepare for a Smooth Move

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Moving can be stressful, but creating a pre-move planning checklist helps make the process run smoothly.

Written by Stephanie Minasian-Koncewicz Updated 12/17/2024

Moving is a big commitment that demands a lot of time, energy, and resources. Whether you’re hiring movers or planning to do the bulk of the work yourself, moving into your new home can be intimidating. Doing some preparation ahead of time with a pre-move checklist can help alleviate some of your moving stress.

Our guide to pre-move planning explores the benefits of creating a pre-move checklist, along with an actionable moving checklist and a helpful timeline of essential tasks. By starting this process early, you won’t dread moving day—you may even look forward to it.


Decluttering and Downsizing Before a Move

Before you start packing up, spend some time decluttering and downsizing. Besides making the moving process easier, it can reduce your overall moving costs, make it simpler to pack and unpack, and give you a fresh start in your new house.

Don’t wait until the last minute—we recommend starting this process two to three months before you move. Declutter room by room, making piles of what to keep, donate, sell, or throw away. If you find clothes you no longer wear, think about donating them. You can often sell home decor and accessories on online marketplaces, but throw away any broken items.


Creating a Moving Timeline and Budget

Create a moving timeline and budget to help you stay organized and on task. A realistic budget should account for all planned and potential expenses, including the costs of hiring moving services, bubble wrap and other packing supplies, and any necessary transportation.

It’s challenging to keep up with all these individual elements, but using a spreadsheet or moving app can help you manage them. Many apps allow for collaboration, so other members of your household can contribute to the moving timeline and budget as you go.

Here’s a sample pre-move timeline to give you an idea of what to plan:

  • Three months before the move: Declutter, sell or give away any items you no longer want, research movers, and gather packing supplies.
  • Two months before the move: Book a moving company and begin packing your nonessentials.
  • Four weeks before the move: Arrange utility transfers and start address changes.
  • Two weeks before the move: Confirm plans and finish packing.
  • One week before the move: Clean your old residence, pack an essentials bag, and book a hotel if you’re staying in one.

Your moving timeline should be an organic document that you update as you go. As you book service providers, receive cost estimates, and proceed with your unpacking, keep track of all those details in your timeline.


Moving Day Preparation Checklist

As the big day draws closer, your moving day preparation checklist will become more detailed. It should include responsibilities you need to address inside your home, plus things like taking calls and meeting with your movers and service providers.

Sample Moving Day Checklist

Here are some of the specific tasks that might appear on your moving day checklist:

  • Arrange to move your plants and pets.
  • Conduct a final walk-through of your old house.
  • Double-check the moving company’s arrival time and contact info.
  • Empty and defrost your refrigerator.
  • Have your important moving documents on hand.
  • Make sure all pathways are clear for the moving company.
  • Pack an essentials bag with a change of clothes, toiletries, medications, and chargers.
  • Take inventory of everything that’s moving with you in your personal vehicle.
  • Take photos of your electronics before unplugging them to help you set them up correctly in your new place.
  • Turn off all lights and electronic devices and lock the doors and windows at your old house.

You might prefer to work with a personal scheduling or assistant service to outsource some of these tasks. We recommend enlisting extra help on your moving day so you don’t forget anything.


Hiring Professional Movers vs. DIY Moving

Hiring professional movers can make it less stressful to move to your new residence. A full-service moving company will handle all the packing and physical moving so you can focus on other aspects of your move, like scheduling utilities and other essential services. Hiring movers is often the best option if you have limited time or physical challenges moving boxes on your own. Moving companies also tend to have experience handling and moving specific types of items, including valuable furniture or antiques you might own.

There are potential drawbacks to hiring a moving company. Depending on the number of items you have to move, it can be expensive to hire movers. It can also be hard to find a reliable company that fits your budget and schedule. When looking for a moving company, carefully read online reviews and ask friends and family for their suggestions.


Packing Strategies and Supplies

Packing is often homeowners’ least favorite part of moving. But with proper planning and the right supplies, you can make the process less stressful. Before you start filling up your boxes, declutter the area you’re packing up, get rid of nonessentials, and label your boxes clearly to keep things organized.

In general, we recommend packing nonessential items about eight weeks before your move. You’ll need various packing supplies, including moving boxes in various sizes, bubble wrap, packing paper, packing tape with a reliable dispenser, and permanent markers for labeling. You’ll also need furniture pads and plastic wrap to protect your furniture and other fragile items.


Notifying and Updating Accounts of Your Move

Before you move into your new home, you’ll need to notify a few different parties of your new address. These include:

  • Doctors
  • Employers
  • Financial institutions
  • Government agencies
  • Schools
  • Subscription services

It’s important to do these notices ahead of time so you don’t miss any bills or deliveries. One month before your move is usually enough time. It can take a few weeks for address changes to take effect even after each agency receives your notice, so you’ll want to allow some extra time for this to happen.


Preparing Kids and Pets for the Move

Moving can be a challenging and emotional experience for children and family pets. Children aren’t always excited about the prospect of moving to a new home, so it’s important to allow time to have sensitive conversations. Communicating openly with your children can help, as does involving them in the process, so they can share in your excitement.

Try to maintain your set routines, especially if your children are young. This helps children understand that the important things in life won’t change even though the family is moving. As for family pets, keep them as comfortable as possible by arranging for professional pet transportation services and allowing them plenty of time to adjust. Update your pets’ microchips before you move in case your pets decide to wander.


Our Conclusion

From scoping out your new location to unpacking, moving entails a million small tasks and adventures. Planning a moving delivery day checklist in advance can make the process easier and stress-free, so you can truly focus on the joy of moving rather than the work involved. You can use the checklist and timeline ideas in this guide to stay organized and proactive in the days leading up to the move.


FAQ About Pre-Move Planning

How far in advance should you start planning for a move?

Ideally, you’ll start planning to move as soon as you close on your new house. The earlier you start planning and preparing, the easier it will be on moving day.

What are the most commonly forgotten tasks when planning a move?

The easiest tasks to forget on moving day are the ones involving daily chores, such as turning lights and electronics off. A moving day checklist can keep you on task and help guarantee you don’t forget anything important.

How do I create a realistic moving budget?

You can create a realistic moving budget by accounting for a variety of factors. Think about how much you want to spend on movers, packing supplies, and other transportation, then outline how much you think is feasible. Include some wiggle room for emergencies or unexpected expenses.

What should I pack in my essentials bag for moving day?

Pack toiletries, a phone charger, some snacks, and everything you need to stay on track with your moving checklist in your essentials bag. It’s helpful to pack your essentials bag in advance so you don’t forget anything.

How can I make moving less stressful for my kids and pets?

Make moving day less stressful for your children and pets by maintaining a sense of routine and consistency. Children and pets thrive on routine, and they’re less likely to be stressed when they know they can count on the familiar.

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