Week-by-Week Timeline Planner for Your Move

Following is a standardized, week-by-week timeline of how your move should progress. Download and print A Move Made Simple Timeline Planner (.pdf) and keep it close. Have a great move!

What to Do & When

8 weeks before moving

Create a floor plan for your new residence.
Before your moving estimate, decide which items you’ll pack, and which you’d like the movers to pack.
Get moving estimates and decide on moving company.
Remove items from your attic, basement, storage shed, etc.
Start to use up things you can’t move, such as frozen foods and cleaning supplies.
Contact the chamber of commerce or visitor’s and tourism bureaus in your new community for information on your new city.
If not already done, create a work list of repairs needed to sell the existing home.
Hire contractors and schedule work for after the move.

6 weeks before moving

Contact the IRS and/or your accountant for information on what moving expenses may be tax-deductible.
Begin to inventory and evaluate your possessions. What can be sold or donated to a charitable organization? What haven’t you used within the last year?
Make a list of everyone you need to notify about your move: friends, professionals, creditors, subscriptions, etc.
Obtain a mail subscription to the local paper in your new community to familiarize yourself with local government, community, and social news and activities.
Locate all motor vehicle registration and licensing documents.
If some of your goods are to be stored, make the necessary arrangements now.
Contact financial advisors, lawyers and accountants to obtain copies of personal records. Request referrals for your new location.

5 weeks before moving

Contact utility and related companies (gas, electric, oil, water, telephone, cable TV, and waste management) for service disconnect/connect at your old and new addresses. However, remember to keep phone and utilities connected at your current home throughout moving day.
Pack items you won’t need over the next month.
Check homeowner’s insurance policies to see if moving is covered. Be sure your new home is protected by transferring fire, theft and other personal property insurance.
Tour your house and decide which items should be discarded or donated to charity.
Start to tag items.
Consider a moving sale to sell items. Start to price items or schedule estimates/appraisals/estate sale.

4 weeks before moving

If moving from an apartment, notify landlord and request apartment deposit back.
Notify the Post Office and get change-of-address forms. Notify magazines to which you subscribe. Note: fill out a change-of-address form for each person receiving mail at your address.
If you have house plants to move, start preparing your plants for the move.
Plan for the transfer of pets (or at least have someone watch them during moving day). Request pet records from veterinarian.
Schedule garage or estate sale for the weekend.

3 weeks before moving

Movers can’t take aerosols, flammables, ammunition or bottled gas. It’s best to use them up or give them away before you move. Contact your city/ village for information on hazardous waste disposal.
Arrange to have major appliances serviced if/before you move them.
Check and clear tax assessments if the home is owned.
Collect important papers and put in a safe place (insurance, will, deeds, stock, etc.)
Arrange for closing or transfer of bank accounts and open new accounts in new location. Account for all outstanding deposits and checks.

2 weeks before moving

If you’re moving out of or into a building with elevators, contact the building management to schedule use of the elevators.
Have your car checked and serviced for the trip. Also, make sure that your automobile is prepared (filled with the necessary antifreeze/coolant, for example) for weather conditions.
Arrange to discontinue delivery services.
Return library books, video rentals and other things you’ve borrowed.
Collect things you’ve loaned, and items in the dry-cleaners, lay-away, cold storage, safety deposit box, etc.
Call your mover to verify details of the move.
Give away plants not being moved.
Movers cannot take down TV antennas or satellite dishes. Arrange for third party service.
Arrange for cable/satellite TV disconnection.
Your local service provider can help you with phone, internet, cable or satellite service for your new home, if not provided

1 week before moving

Arrange payment method for moving company and confirm mover arrival, loading and delivery dates.
Drain gas and oil from power equipment (lawn mowers, snow blowers, etc.).
Drain water from all garden hoses.
Set aside maps, games, snacks, flashlight, and other items you’ll take in your car.
Gather medicines and important papers for the car trip.
Prepare specific directions to your new home for your moving company. (Include your itinerary, emergency numbers, etc.)
Back up computer files. Label storage devices.
Start packing suitcases.
Pack a local phone book for future reference.
Have major appliances disconnected and prepared for the move (arrange for a third party to provide these services).
Pack boxes of personal, bath toiletries, bed linens, kitchen staples and non-combustible cleaning items that will be needed upon arrival at your new home. We recommend putting these items in a clear or colored storage container for easy identification. Have these boxes loaded last or carry with you in your car.
Organize, set aside and label those things that you are leaving or taking with you so that they don’t get loaded on the van in error.
Anything movers are packing should be left in place.

1 day before moving

Moving day!

Make sure your glasses, wallet, medicines, car keys, maps and other important items are with you.
Make final check of every room and storage area. Make sure windows and doors are locked, keys are transferred, garage door openers are left behind and lights are out.
Note: It’s a good idea to confirm utilities are connected at the new residence.