Moving House Checklist: A Timeline for Every Step

Before you pack, write down your move-out date, move-in date, and access hours at each property. If there is a gap, decide where your belongings will go. Ask about elevator reservations, loading areas, parking permits, and building rules before booking movers or a vehicle.

Choose between a self-move and hired help. For a self-move, plan for the vehicle, supplies, helpers, and time. If you hire movers, request written estimates and clarify what is included, particularly packing, stairs, long carries, and storage. Keep dates, contacts, quotes, and tasks together; give each task an owner and a due date.

Check the listed dimensions for start with the decisions that set your schedule against the available vehicle space before use.

Use these stages as a starting point. Your lease, closing date, household size, and service deadlines may require a different pace.

Decide early what to move, donate, sell, or dispose of, and leave time to act on those decisions. If you need something for the new place later, our Thrift Like a Pro guide can help you shop deliberately after the move.

Label each box with its destination room and a short description. Mark fragile contents, bag and label furniture hardware, and photograph cable connections before unplugging electronics.

Keep a separate essentials bag with you rather than loading it among the boxes. Include identification, medication, keys, important documents, chargers, toiletries, a change of clothes, and anything your household needs on the first night, such as pet food or children’s bedtime items.

Mail forwarding is only one part of an address change. Update your address directly with banks, insurers, your employer, healthcare providers, subscriptions, and other accounts that send important information. For a U.S. move, you can arrange forwarding through the USPS change-of-address process, but that does not update those organizations for you.

Schedule utilities and internet using your actual access dates, especially if the properties overlap. Confirm how you will return any service equipment and where you will collect or leave keys. If your lease or sale requires a walkthrough or other handover, put its time and instructions on the master list rather than relying on memory.

Before leaving, check cabinets, closets, outdoor spaces, and storage areas. Keep keys and handover instructions ready, and record any agreed details. After arrival, prioritize safe access, beds, bathrooms, and a usable kitchen. The rest can wait.