Moving is a big deal and means managing many tasks leading up to the big day! As you work to manage these many tasks, we’ve created a checklist for several weeks leading up to your move.
This checklist for moving includes everything you should be doing from 8 weeks before moving up until the day you start sleeping in your new home.
8 weeks before moving
At this point, you’ll be focused mostly on the administrative business of preparing for your move. Here’s a look at what you should be doing 8 weeks before your move.
- Build a moving budget. You should have a pretty good idea of what your new home expenses will be but you’ll want to factor in the expense of moving. From movers to setup costs for Wi-Fi and cable services, you’ll want to consider your total expenses. Factor in some takeout meals to cover this busy time of packing and preparing for your move. Here are some tips for building a moving budget depending on whether you’re using movers, moving on your own or using some combination of the two.
- If you have children, discuss the move with them. Start preparing for them for the move. Research schools in the area of your new home and decide where they will attend school. You might need to request their transcripts from their current school to ensure a smooth enrollment process.
- Hire a moving company. It’s especially important to do this well in advance if you’re locked into moving on a specific day. Choose a licensed and insured company to protect your belongings in case anything goes wrong.
- Purge your home to avoid moving items you no longer need or use. Donate these items or host a garage sale. Another modern way of selling these items is to list them on forums, such as Facebook Marketplace or Nextdoor.
6 weeks before moving
The tasks in the 6-week phase before moving are also heavily focused on administrative tasks. Here’s what you should be working on in this phase.
- Start collecting packing supplies. This should include boxes in various sizes, bubble wrap, packing tape, packing paper, etc. Ask your friends to hold onto these packing materials or post in an online forum about your need for moving materials. You might have new neighbors who kept some of their packing supplies. Otherwise, you can order such supplies from an office supply store.
- Contact your doctors, insurance agent, financial advisor and other local businesses to work to move records if you’re moving too far away to keep them as your service providers. You’ll want to start researching new service providers now located near your new home to create a smooth transition.
- If you’re moving out of town, you might also consider booking some travel plans. This might include flights, hotel stays or other lodging while you wait for your new home to be ready for move-in. This will be especially important if you plan to do some home improvement projects before moving in.
4 weeks before moving
At the 4-week marker, you’re getting much closer to moving day! Your tasks will start shifting to packing and preparing for your move. Here’s a look at the important tasks to start working on 4 weeks before your move.
- Start packing up your home. Since you will still be living in your old home for another month or so, consider items you won’t use during this time. Consider packing seasonal items such as home decorations, pool supplies and holiday decorations.
- Label your boxes carefully as you begin your packing process. This will make it much easier when you’re unpacking in your new home. And, you’ll be able to find items quickly that you need in those first few days of living in your new home. It’s worth your time and effort at the beginning of the packing process to ensure an easy moving process. Learn some great box labeling tips to make unpacking simple.
- Backup and update your digital devices. Sadly, things can break in the moving process. Make sure you’ve backed up your computers, laptops and mobile devices before moving. That way, in case something happens to one of these devices, you’ll be able to purchase a new device and still have all your important data.
- Contact the utility company to tell them when to disconnect your service. Contact your utility providers at your new home to ensure things are ready to go when you move in.
- Clean out your fridge, freezer and pantry. Try to purchase your groceries very strategically over these last few weeks in your old home. The less you have to pack from your fridge, freezer or pantry, the better.
- Visit USPS.gov or your local post office location to change your address. You should also set up mail forwarding for your old address to make sure you don’t miss any important mail.
2 weeks before moving
Moving day is right around the corner! Here are a few considerations for preparing for your move in these final few weeks.
- Confirm your movers. Just make sure everything is in order so you don’t have any surprises on moving day.
- Schedule time off of work for moving day, if you need to.
- If you have rugs, get them cleaned before rolling them up. This will keep them looking great in your new home.
- Collect up important manuals and warranty information from your old home to provide to the new owner.
Week of the big move!
This is it! You’ve made it to the week of your move. Here are your final tasks before moving day.
- Finish packing up the boxes of your general household items. You might eat more takeout this week or frozen meals, but that’s OK.
- Pack your bag. Put all the prescriptions, toiletries and clothes you’ll need for the first few days in your new home in a personal bag. This will help you stay stress-free while unpacking.
- Disassemble furniture and tape the screws, brackets and other building materials to the back to make sure you know what goes with what furniture.
- Dispose of hazardous materials such as paint, aerosol cans and other chemicals. Many movers will not handle such materials and there’s no reason to take them with you.
- Supervise your moving company putting all your belongings on their truck. This ensures they are careful with your goods and that you make sure you get everything.
- Clean your old house once your belongings are out to make it a nice place for the new owners.
- Say goodbye to your old home. Homes hold so many memories and fun times with loved ones. Take a moment to say goodbye and remember all the good times you’ve had here.
Still in the process of considering moving?
If you’re in the early phases of your new home shopping and considerations, allow Upstate Mortgage to be part of the process. We offer outstanding customer service and will provide a great experience from start to finish for you.
Contact us to learn more about us and start the process of getting pre-approved for a loan as you shop for your new home.
