Moving Checklist: Week-by-Week Timeline for a Stress-Free Move

A good moving checklist turns a huge life change into a series of clear, manageable tasks. Instead of scrambling at the last minute, you can spread the work across several weeks and stay in control. Use this week-by-week moving checklist to plan, pack, and move with less stress.

6-8 Weeks Before Moving Day: Plan and Budget

Begin your move by getting clear on the basics:

• ☐ Confirm your move-out and move-in dates
• ☐ Decide whether your move is local or long-distance
• ☐ Review your lease or sale contract for notice periods
• ☐ Understand any move-out requirements
• ☐ Create a budget including movers, supplies, travel, and deposits
• ☐ Get an initial moving cost estimate

Get Your Moving Quote Early

Once you have your rough dates, get quotes from movers so you can refine your budget:

• ☐ Research moving companies (check USDOT numbers and reviews)
• ☐ Request at least 3 quotes for comparison
• ☐ Understand what's included in each quote
• ☐ Consider flat rate options for budget certainty

With TopBudgetMove's flat rate of $7,000 for a full truck, budgeting becomes simple—no surprise calculations or hidden fees.

4-5 Weeks Before: Declutter and Book Movers

At the 4-5 week mark, focus on simplifying what you will move and choosing your moving partner:

Decluttering Tasks

• ☐ Go through each room and sort items (keep, donate, sell, trash)
• ☐ Focus on bulky, low-value items expensive to transport
• ☐ Schedule donation pickups or drop-offs
• ☐ List items for sale online
• ☐ Dispose of items you can't donate

Booking Tasks

• ☐ Compare quotes from licensed, insured movers
• ☐ Decide: DIY, full-service, or hybrid move
• ☐ Book your mover or reserve your truck
• ☐ Get confirmation in writing
• ☐ Understand cancellation policies

3 Weeks Before: Start Packing Non-Essentials

Three weeks before your move, begin packing items you will not need before moving day:

• ☐ Stock up on boxes, tape, and padding materials
• ☐ Pack decor and artwork
• ☐ Pack books (small boxes only!)
• ☐ Pack out-of-season clothing
• ☐ Pack spare linens and towels
• ☐ Pack rarely used kitchen gadgets
• ☐ Label every box by room and contents
• ☐ Create an inventory list

2 Weeks Before: Confirm Details and Update Addresses

Two weeks out, shift your focus to logistics and paperwork:

Confirm with Movers

• ☐ Reconfirm dates and arrival windows
• ☐ Verify what services are included
• ☐ Ask about potential surcharges (stairs, long carries, difficult parking)
• ☐ Get contact information for moving day

Address and Utilities

• ☐ Submit change-of-address with USPS
• ☐ Update address with banks and financial institutions
• ☐ Update address with insurers
• ☐ Update address with employers
• ☐ Update subscriptions and memberships
• ☐ Schedule utility shutoff at old address
• ☐ Schedule utility start at new address
• ☐ Transfer or cancel internet/cable service

1 Week Before: Pack Most Remaining Items

With one week to go, pack most of what is left except for daily essentials:

• ☐ Pack kitchen (leave minimal cooking supplies)
• ☐ Pack bedroom items (leave one set of bedding)
• ☐ Pack bathroom items (leave toiletries for last day)
• ☐ Assemble first-night box (toiletries, basic cookware, bedding, towels, snacks)
• ☐ Pack personal overnight bag (clothes, medications, chargers)
• ☐ Defrost refrigerator/freezer 24-48 hours before move
• ☐ Clean out and disconnect appliances
• ☐ Confirm parking arrangements for moving truck

1-2 Days Before: Final Checks and Home Prep

In the last couple of days, focus on final checks and light cleaning:

• ☐ Verify parking arrangements and building access
• ☐ Confirm elevator reservations if needed
• ☐ Get gate codes or building access information for new home
• ☐ Ensure all boxes are taped and labeled
• ☐ Set aside items traveling with you (not on truck)
• ☐ Do basic cleaning of emptied rooms
• ☐ Take photos of property condition for records
• ☐ Charge phones and backup batteries

Moving Day Checklist

On moving day, your preparation pays off:

• ☐ Keep phone charged and accessible
• ☐ Keep essentials bag and documents separate from truck
• ☐ Mark first-night box clearly for first-off loading
• ☐ Walk movers through the home when they arrive
• ☐ Point out fragile items and special instructions
• ☐ Do room-by-room check as truck is loaded
• ☐ Check all closets, cabinets, and outdoor areas
• ☐ Turn off all lights and lock up
• ☐ Return keys if renting
• ☐ At new home, direct movers by room
• ☐ Confirm furniture placement before movers leave
• ☐ Check for damage before signing paperwork

After the Move: Unpack and Settle In

Once the truck pulls away, start settling in:

• ☐ Unpack first-night box first
• ☐ Set up beds and bedding
• ☐ Set up basic kitchen items
• ☐ Unpack one room at a time for visible progress
• ☐ Flatten and recycle boxes as you go
• ☐ Compare final invoice to original estimate
• ☐ Update DMV and voter registration
• ☐ Register vehicles in new state if applicable
• ☐ Find new doctors, dentists, etc. if needed
• ☐ Meet neighbors and explore your new area

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I do not have 6-8 weeks to follow this moving checklist?

If your timeline is shorter, compress the same sequence of steps rather than skipping them. Start by getting a moving estimate and decluttering quickly, then book movers, handle logistics, and pack in parallel. You may need to devote more hours per day to moving tasks, but following the same order keeps you from missing something critical.

When should I get my moving quote on this timeline?

Ideally, get your moving quote 6-8 weeks before moving day, right when you start planning and budgeting. The earlier you book, the better your date options and pricing—especially during peak summer months.

Do I need a different checklist for interstate moves?

The core checklist is the same for local and interstate moves, but long-distance moves make budgeting and timing even more important. Volume and distance have a bigger impact on pricing when crossing state lines, which is why flat rate options like TopBudgetMove can provide valuable budget certainty.

Conclusion

A week-by-week moving checklist turns a big, intimidating project into a series of small, doable steps. By planning early, decluttering before you pack, and tackling tasks in the right order, you can control your costs and your stress level at the same time.

For the simplest long-distance move, consider TopBudgetMove's flat rate service—you know your exact cost from day one, letting you focus on the checklist instead of worrying about surprise charges.