If you are planning on moving to a new home, you’ll need to make sure you have everything you need for a successful moving day. That is why our Atlanta moving and storage company put together a moving checklist so you can stay organized while you move! When it comes to moving, there is so much to do; from completing a DMV change of address to ensuring that all your personal belongings are packed away safely, it can seem overwhelming. Harnessing the power of a moving checklist can help ensure that things happen in a timely manner leading up to moving day and until the day of your move.
Moving Timeline to Keep You On Track
Pack It Up Moving & Storage is here to ensure that you have the best moving experience with our moving guide. Starting about 8 weeks before your move up to moving day, you can follow our recommended moving timeline, complete with a list of tasks to complete during your relocation process and before moving day.
7 Weeks Before Moving Day
Research Moving Companies and Get Estimates
The first step in our moving checklist is to figure out how you plan on moving. Will it be a DIY move or do you plan on hiring professional movers in Atlanta? Start researching the different moving companies in your area and get estimates so you have a better idea of how much to budget for the relocation. Consider the different moving services you need, if you require piano movers, for example, or would feel more comfortable hiring professional packers to prep your entire home for a move. This is the time to investigate the different options available.
Visit Your New Community
The family-friendly neighborhoods in Georgia are just one of the great reasons to move to Atlanta. But before moving day, we recommend visiting your new community in person to familiarize yourself with the area and what it offers. This also gives you an idea of how you may want to strategize your moving route for the big day.
Discuss the Move with The Kids
Our Peachtree City movers suggest that one of the most important things to do before moving is to discuss the move with the kids. Including your children in the conversation early on can make this transition easier for them. Asking for their opinions and requesting their help with small moving tasks can help make them feel like they are part of the decision-making process instead of neglected amidst the chaos of moving.
6 Weeks Before Moving Day
Book Professional Movers
Roughly 6 weeks before moving day is the time to kick it into gear and start scheduling your moving day with moving companies that offer loading and unloading services in Atlanta as well as other moving services you may need. Find a date that works best with your schedule, keeping in mind the price fluctuations that depend on the season and day of the week. If you choose to move during the weekend, the prices may be higher than the cost of a weekday move.
Order All Moving Supplies
Our Stone Mountain movers note that about 6 weeks before moving day you should begin purchasing all necessary moving supplies. From bubble wrap and boxes to tape and packing paper, these packing materials will help keep your personal belongings safe from potential damage during transport. Be sure to order moving blankets to protect your furniture during the move as well.
Mitigate the environmental impact your relocation can have by planning an eco-friendly move, using what you already own or otherwise recycled material as packing supplies!
Notify People and Accounts of Your Move
If you have school-age children, another important item on your moving checklist is to notify school administrators of your move so they can either send school records to the new school and begin the enrollment process.
Contact your auto insurance and home insurance agents to update your information. If you have any gym, club, or other memberships that need to be updated or canceled, make sure to do so online, over the phone, or even in person.
5 Weeks Before Moving Day
Begin the Packing Process
About 5 weeks before moving day, start tackling one of the most tedious tasks on your moving checklist: packing. Our Milton movers recommend that you begin packing the least-used items first. Packing all non-essential items first will help you make progress without sacrificing the convenience and necessity of the items you use daily.
Host a Garage Sale, Donate Belongings, & Trash Unwanted Items
Our Alpharetta movers believe that a critical item on a moving checklist is to ensure that you are not bringing any unwanted items that no longer serve a purpose in your life to your new abode. Get rid of any clutter about 5 weeks before moving day by hosting a garage sale to sell gently used items and get a few extra bucks for moving expenses. If you have any unwanted clothes or furniture, find a donation center in Atlanta that can take it off your hands. Anything that is broken or can’t be sold or donated should be disposed of appropriately.
4 Weeks Before Moving Day
Confirm Date & Time With the Moving Company
Be sure to confirm the date and time of your move with your professional moving company 4 weeks in advance. It’s also important to update the moving company about any logistical factors that they should be aware of such as the amount of stuff that needs to be moved or whether you need a storage facility, among other things. Are there service elevators residents need to use during a move? Where can the movers park the moving truck?
3 Weeks Before Moving Day
Forward Mail and Transfer Utilities
About 3 weeks before moving day, contact the post office and set up mail forwarding to the new residential address so the postal workers have time to implement the change. Indicate the appropriate date you wish to begin forwarding your mail. Our movers also recommend transferring your utility services to your new home address around 3 weeks before moving day as well. Call your utility provider and let them know about your move. This includes water, sewer, gas, electricity, security systems, cable television, internet, and phone providers.
Change Social Security and Medicare Mailing Address
Updating the mailing address you have registered with the Social Security Administration as well as Medicare is a critical item on your moving checklist that you should definitely not forget.
2 Weeks Before Moving Day
Update Bank Accounts and Credit Card Billing Addresses
It’s two weeks before moving day, so you need to start getting into more detailed tasks on your moving checklist, including updating your address and contact information with your bank, credit card company, and other financial institutions. This can be done online or over the phone; the process to update a billing address before moving day is simple and takes just a few minutes.
Continue Packing Up Your Home
At this point, your home should only have just a few rooms left to pack before moving day and most items left should be things used daily. Our Dunwoody movers recommend reviewing your moving checklist to make sure you’re still on track for a smooth transition into your new home.
1 Week Before Moving Day
Clean Old Home
Moving day is quickly approaching and it is time to clean your old house. Be sure you are thoroughly cleaning your home to avoid any additional cleaning fees or charges against your security deposit. Clean out your refrigerator and pantry. Some other important things to do before moving day is to schedule the final trash and recycling pickup.
Finish Any Last-Minute Errands
If you have any last-minute errands to complete before moving day, now is your chance. These include last-minute veterinarian appointments for your furry friends, picking up prescriptions, or returning borrowed items to friends before moving.
Day Before the Move
Pack Suitcases & Essential Items
The day before you move, pack all your essential belongings in a suitcase including things like toothbrushes, medications, snacks, pajamas, clothes, toiletries, phone, laptop, tablet, electronics charging cables, other valuables such as jewelry, and important documents.
Take Out Cash to Tip the Movers
The day before moving, snag some extra cash to tip your movers. Tipping your movers is a kind gesture that shows them they did a job well done.
Moving Day Checklist
Alas, you’ve reached the end of your moving timeline; your moving day has arrived! These are a few final details to keep in mind.
Have Plenty of Water Bottles On-Hand
Moving is an exhausting process, especially if you are moving during the summer months. Make sure everyone on your moving team is hydrated throughout the day.
Take Inventory of Boxes & Furniture
A vital portion of the moving checklist is taking inventory of all your belongings to keep track of what you and the movers have during transit. Take appropriate photos of appliances and fragile items beforehand. This will help with liability coverage and moving insurance purposes if anything is lost or damaged during the moving process.
Do a Final Sweep of the House and Hand Over the Keys
This is the home stretch! The truck is almost fully loaded, but there’s still one more thing on your moving checklist. Check out all the easy-to-miss spots in your old home including upper cabinets, bathtubs, washers, dryers, attics, and so on. This is your chance to tie up any loose ends.
Once you have finished your final sweep of the house, hand over the keys to your landlord or the new homeowners and make your way to your new home to begin the next chapter of your life.