When to Start Packing for a Move: A Week-by-Week Moving Schedule

Whether you’re moving across the country or around the corner, it’s wise to start preparing early if you can. Our moving timeline can help you organize your schedule, prioritize your tasks and track your progress.

Before you begin:

• This list starts at eight weeks before your move date. If you don’t have that much time, read our guide on how to start packing quickly for a move.
• If you’re downsizing to a smaller home, try our guide on how to downsize your home.

Eight weeks before moving day

It may seem like you’ve still got plenty of time, but most moving companies suggest you start planning and organizing at least six weeks prior to your move. We’re calling it eight, because getting a head start on moving all your worldly belongings to a new place can be stressful. Efficient planning can help alleviate that stress.

Book your flight(s). If you’re flying to your new city and haven’t booked your flight, stop everything and do that. In these times, travel-savvy advisors suggest booking domestic flights anywhere from one to four months in advance. International flights have a longer window, but you’re advised to start your search up to six months ahead of time.

Take an inventory of your belongings. Once you have a clear idea of everything you own, decide what to take to your new home and what to sell, donate or discard.

Get the measurements for your new place. Measure for furniture and appliances so you’ll know what fits and what doesn’t.

Review your finances and set a moving budget. When you know what you can afford, you can plan your next steps accordingly. Research your moving options. Do you want to move on your own, or would you rather use a professional moving service?

Contact a few trustworthy movers. Consider getting at least three estimates for your moving costs. If you’ve decided on a DIY move, contact several truck rental companies and compare their rates and conditions. If you’re moving at a peak time, like at the end of a month in middle-to-late spring or in the summer, start these processes as soon as possible.

Request time off from work. If necessary (and possible), request off from work in advance so you can focus on the biggest parts of the process. Just like with most projects, moving may take more time than you first estimate.

Gently prepare any children. If you’re moving with kids, read more about how to lessen their stress and execute a smoother moving process.

Six weeks before moving day

Notify relevant people and institutions of your move. These may include your landlord, employer, family physician, children’s school and bank, for starters. See a full list of people you should contact here. 

Find new providers. Start looking for a trustworthy health provider and a good school for your kids in your new city or neighborhood. If you’re moving within the area and keeping the same providers, make sure they’ve got your updated address.

Schedule your move. Select your moving day and book a moving company or an appropriately sized rental truck. Decide whether you’ll need extras like dollies or moving blankets.

Arrange for house cleaning services. Deep cleaning can help you find long-lost treasures and also help you leave your home in good shape for the next occupants.

Four weeks before moving day

Request your records. If you’re moving out of town, get copies of your family’s medical records and your kids’ school transcripts.

Take your pet to the vet. Schedule a complete checkup for your fur baby, and get all their health certificates and vaccination records. If you’re moving to a new region, do research on parasites like ticks and chiggers.

Get rid of unwanted items. Organize a moving sale, sell items online, donate them to charity or give them away to relatives and friends. Consider using the clutter scale. Think of this as your chance to lighten your load.

Gather moving boxes and supplies. Why pay for boxes when you can get them for free? If you’ve got physical newspaper or magazine subscriptions, now is the time to start stacking them for packing material. If you don’t have subscriptions, try asking neighbors or local groups online.

Cancel memberships and subscriptions. If you won’t be going to the same gym or using the same delivery services, update your info so you don’t get charged for stuff you don’t need. 

Start packing items you won’t need before moving day. The more you get done now, the less you’ll have to deal with later. Clearly mark boxes with the name of the room they’ll go in; you’ll be thankful you did this when moving day comes.

Two weeks before moving day

Get your car serviced. If you’re driving to your new home, get your car checked and tuned up to make sure the trip goes as smoothly as possible.

Change your address. Contact the U.S. Postal Service and file an official USPS Change of Address to ensure that your mail arrives at your new home.

Transfer your utilities. Arrange for services in your old home to be disconnected the day after your move, and contact service providers in your new city to have utilities running in your new home on move-in day.

Reserve a parking spot for your moving truck or pods. Get a space directly in front of the entrance to your home, and be sure to reserve an elevator for the time of your move (if applicable).

Get a handyperson. Hire a professional to tackle any outstanding repairs in the home you’re vacating. Save the DIY repairs for when you’ve moved everything except the necessary tools and supplies out of the way.

One week before moving day

Contact your moving company. Follow up to confirm that your plans are on track so there are no last-minute surprises.

Say your goodbyes. Organize a farewell party, spend quality time with your closest friends and visit your favorite places in town. 

Check your packing progress. Most of your belongings should be packed up and labeled by this point. If you’re doing any cleaning or repairs yourself, make sure you’ve got all the supplies you need.

Prepare an “open first” box. This way, you’ll have all your essentials as soon as you arrive in your new home. Read more about what to put in it here. Don’t forget to decide how you’ll get it to your new home. If you’re flying and arriving before movers, you may want to consider sending it to yourself ahead of time.

Hire a sitter. Keep your children and pets from getting underfoot by securing a sitter for moving day. If your dog attends a daycare, consider sending them to it or boarding them if you’re moving within the same area.

Pay your bills. If there are any outstanding bills from your current address, square them away before you move. If you’re moving within the same service area, make sure your move dates and new address is updated in the relevant service provider systems.

Disassemble large furniture pieces. Bookshelves, bed frames, and other furniture may require disassembly and more intricate packing. Get them ready for shipment.

Do any DIY repairs you’ve planned. With much of your stuff in boxes and more space available, tackle repairs like patching wall holes and touching up paint.

Two days before moving day

Finish packing. Get everything in boxes except the few items you can’t do without for a couple of days and the cleaning supplies you’ll need before moving out.

Defrost and clean your fridge. Get all your household appliances ready to move — empty them, clean them and make sure they’re fully dry and safely wrapped for transportation.

Secure your valuables. Confirm that you have all valuables and important documents with you for moving day.

Moving day

Make sure you have what you need. Whether you’re driving down the street or flying to a new continent, make sure you have all the necessities for your transit.

Double-check your home for forgotten items. A final walk-through can ensure you don’t leave anything behind. Don’t forget the outdoors.

Review the paperwork. Carefully read the moving paperwork you’ll be signing, and double-check the moving fees to make sure everything is on the level.

Thank the movers. Prepare some refreshments for them, and keep cash on hand for a tip if you’re satisfied with their work. Common practice is to tip each mover $4-$5 for every hour they work. 

Share your info. Give the truck driver your exact new address and phone number to ensure your stuff makes it to the right location.

Clean up. Now that the place is empty, leave it the way you’d want to find it as a new owner. 

Say goodbye to your old home. Lock it up and bid it farewell. The time has come to set foot on the road to your new life! Snap some pics or take a video as tribute.

While many tasks are common for residential moves, certain aspects of your move may be unique and require a different approach. Personalize this moving timeline to make it work just right for you.