With the Best Possible Preparation, Your Move Becomes Seamless!
During the excitement and challenge of moving, it’s easy for things to slip through the cracks. The best way to get the most out of your move is by following a local moving checklist designed to keep you on track.
Being fully prepared and ready to go before your local movers arrive on moving day allows you to relax throughout the day, knowing you’ve set your family and your moving crew up for success. Whether you’re a young professional relocating for your job, a family moving into your new home in the suburbs, or a senior preparing to start new adventures at a retirement community — get your local move done right with this checklist.
Planning and Preparing for Your Move
As soon as you know you’re moving, it’s time to start preparations! Now is the time to set your move date and consider moving help. Check out local moving company rates, learn about their services, and find out if they’ll be available to help on your moving day.
Before you bring a local mover to your home for an estimate, you should kick off your local moving checklist by taking inventory and decluttering. Get rid of everything you don’t want moved, or at least keep those items separate from the rest of your things for a more accurate estimate. Moving is a great time to take stock of your belongings and consider what is still serving you and what would be better suited to donation or throwing out.
This is also a good time to start your packing, since you’re already going through things. First, decide whether you want to pack yourself, or if you want your local movers to help out with packing services. Then, gather the supplies you’ll need, including boxes, tape, paper, and bubble wrap.
Pinning Down the Logistics for a Local Move
Local moves may not seem as challenging as moving across the country, but there are many things to keep in mind. If you’re a young professional moving into or out of an apartment, book elevators and make necessary arrangements to save a parking spot for the moving truck in front of both locations.
Find out if your condo, retirement community, apartment, homeowner’s association (HOA), or dorm have any requirements for the time or day you’re allowed to move. For example, if you’re a senior moving locally into a new community, there may be guidelines to follow that make the process easier for all involved. Families moving into an HOA for the first time should consult with the HOA president to make sure you’re starting that relationship off right!
Gather and organize all of your important documents and secure them somewhere safe. Notify any relevant parties — like the post office and your insurance companies — of your upcoming move to update your address.
You’ll also need to contact your utility providers and schedule to have your service transferred to the new address on your moving date.
One Week Before Your Local Move
As you are packing, take the time to clearly label every box with both its contents and the room it belongs in. This simple step can make unpacking much easier and help your local movers sort boxes where they belong when unloading the truck. Before disassembling or wrapping any furniture, give each piece a quick inspection and make note of any existing scratches or dents.
Don’t forget to take down and carefully pack all pictures, artwork, and other wall décor about a week before your move. These items are often fragile and should be wrapped securely to avoid damage. Gather and pack up all loose items and electronics, keeping cords organized and taped to their corresponding devices if possible. Clearly label the cord by writing what it’s for on a piece of tape, if you can’t keep them together.
If you have any fragile belongings stored in dressers, desks, or cabinets, remove them before moving day. These items are better protected in padded boxes rather than left in drawers that will be lifted and shifted.
When it comes to bathrooms, give them a good clean and pack up the essentials. Finally, prepare a small overnight bag with a change of clothes, basic toiletries, and any other must-haves to get through your first night comfortably — just in case you’re too tired to start unpacking right away.
Specific Tips to Prep for Your Local Movers on Moving Day
This ultimate local moving checklist will come in handy whether you’re doing a 100% do-it-yourself move, renting a truck, or hiring local movers to help with the bulk of the heavy lifting. But if you are planning on hiring professional movers, here are a few extra tips or considerations to help you get the most out of those local moving company rates!
- Before moving day arrives, make sure everything that isn’t coming with you is completely removed from the home.
- Double-check that you’re fully packed and that each box is clearly labeled with its contents and destination room. This makes it much easier not only for the local movers to unload efficiently, but also for you when it comes time to unpack. If possible, begin staging your boxes in a single, easily accessible room near the front of your home to keep pathways clear and help the moving crew load more quickly.
- If you have custom furniture like cribs or built-in beds, go ahead and disassemble them before the movers arrive — unless you’ve confirmed that your moving company provides help with this. Many companies do assist with standard furniture disassembly, but it’s best to clarify in advance to avoid any delays.
- As each room is cleared out, close the door behind you. This simple trick signals to the movers that the room is complete and helps them focus on areas that still need attention. After the truck is loaded up, do a final walkthrough to check all rooms, closets, and cabinets for any missed items.
- Once at your new home, plan to be stationed near the front entrance to direct the unloading process. Let the movers know where each item and box should go, and don’t hesitate to speak up if something needs to be adjusted. A little coordination goes a long way toward smooth, stress-free local moving!
PRINT ME! Your Ultimate Moving Checklist
Print this section of our blog and use it as a personal checklist for your move.
☐ Choose a date for your move.
☐ Book your professional movers or your DIY moving truck.
☐ Coordinate your move with your HOA, retirement community, or apartment management office as needed.
☐ Purchase packing supplies, such as boxes, bubble wrap, and packing tape if you don’t intend to use professional packing services.
☐ Donate or toss any items you don’t plan to move with you.
☐ Schedule a moving estimate when your home contains only what you’ll be moving.
☐ Begin packing room-by-room, labeling boxes with the contents and the room where it belongs.
☐ Tape up each box so that it fully closes.
☐ Place all packed boxes in a room together, toward the front of your home.
☐ Wrap fragile items in bubble wrap or foam padding.
☐ Organize electronics cables, and label them with tape so you know where they go after your move.
☐ Pack your personal bag with toiletries, a roll of toilet paper, and other must-haves for your first night in your new home.
