Checklist

Moving Countdown

Reviewed & curated by Maria BanouHome Life AdvisorBeyond the Closing™ · ChecklistLast reviewed August 2026

What is genuinely worth doing at each stage, from a month out through your first week in.

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30+ days out

Gather moving quotes and confirm what each one includes
Measure the destination rooms, doors, and access
Start the keep / sell / donate / store / replace pass, room by room
Request school, medical, and pet records if you are relocating

2–4 weeks out

Begin the address change list
Schedule utility stop and start dates
Book donation pickups or drop-offs
Pack anything you will not need before moving day

1 week out

Confirm the mover, elevator reservation, or building access
Set aside a moving-day essentials box
Keep medications, documents, and valuables with you, not on the truck
Arrange cleaning for the home you are leaving

48 hours

Empty and defrost the refrigerator
Charge devices and pack chargers where you can find them
Photograph electronics and furniture before disassembly
Label boxes by destination room, not just contents

Moving day

Walk both properties before and after loading
Record final meter readings where applicable
Keep the inventory or bill of lading with you
Hand over or collect keys, remotes, and codes

First week after the move

Set up beds and one comfortable room first
Report any transit damage within the mover's window
Unpack by function — kitchen, bathroom, bedroom — before decor
Re-measure anything you deferred buying

General guidance only. This is not professional, legal, financial, insurance, or safety advice — requirements vary by property, equipment, and location.

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