Moving Checklist | Effective Tips to Pack Your Home for the Move

The prospect of getting a new home and moving is exciting, a moving checklist can help take some of the stress out of the move. However, packing up and moving is one of the most dreaded parts of the process. If you have moved a few times in your life, you know how hectic and stressful the entire thing can be for everyone.

Are you moving for the first time, and you are not sure where to begin? Don't worry. We've got you covered. If you plan ahead, create a checklist, and complete each task on time, moving can be a smoother process than you might think. We will help you create an ideal moving checklist to help you make a more organized effort for your moving schedule.

We’ve divided the checklist week-by-week to help you manage everything on time. You can always reach out to the Richard Nance Real Estate Team if you need help with anything.

Eight Weeks Ahead

Create a folder: Keep everything related to your move in a single place. This binder can include everything from receipts and mortgage paperwork to packing lists and any estimates.

Conduct an inventory: Go to each and every room and get approximate cubic footage of all the stuff in your house. This can help you determine how many boxes you will need. Measure the big furniture that you are taking with you to your new home to get an idea of where you can place it after the move.

Leave what you don’t need: Everything you take with you costs money. If there is a significant pile of unused and unnecessary stuff in your attic, it is better to let go of it instead of dumping it in your new home’s attic. Sell whatever you can on eBay or donate stuff to get a tax deduction.

Order beforehand: If you are planning to get new appliances, a stove, or anything else to upgrade the new home, we suggest ordering it now. You want everything to be delivered to your new house before you move in.

Six Weeks Ahead

Look up moving companies: With the eight-week items sorted out, you should move on to researching the possible moving companies you can consider. Do your homework on all the prospects, check their credentials, get estimates, and read reviews about them.

Consider specialty movers: Do you own any fragile or expensive items like a grand piano or artwork? Find moving companies that specialize in moving big-ticket items with care.

Review mover’s insurance: Make sure that your prospective moving company's liability insurance can cover the replacement value of anything that they damage during the move.

Sort out the utility companies: Make arrangements to turn off the utilities at your old house and turning them on at the new home. It may take some time to sort everything out, so it is best to start making arrangements well in advance.

Make travel arrangements: You need to sort out transportation arrangements for yourself and everyone in the family. If you have children and they need to change schools, research schools in the new area and fill out the necessary paperwork to get their records transferred

Get the packing gear: Some moving companies provide boxes for packing, but not all of them do that. You might need to purchase them yourself, and you can easily find some at stores like Home Depot or Staples. Always get more boxes than you think you will need.

Four Weeks Ahead

Begin packing rarely-used items: Are there any items that you are not using these days but need to go with you? Perhaps out-of-season clothes or holiday ornaments? Start packing the least used items first. Once you sort them out, move on to the more frequently used items.

Start tracking packed items: Make a spreadsheet with separate rows for each room and enough columns to cover all the boxes in each room. Mark and number each box as you pack so you can keep track of the items. Color coding the spreadsheet and using tape color to match can help you keep everything more organized.

Keep hardware with the corresponding items: Make sure that you pack any screws, mounts, and other hardware for anything you disassemble, and keep them with their respective items in plastic bags. Make sure you do not mix the bags.

Update the address: While the move is still a few weeks away, you need to get in touch with the USPS to change your mailing address. Give your new address to everyone, from your family members and friends to banks and credit card companies. Make sure you also let them know when you are moving.

Two Weeks Ahead

Wrap up the packing: Start packing up the remaining items besides the most essential items that you use every day. Make a box that will contain daily use items like laptops, everyday dishes, and other items. This will be the last box you pack before the move and the first box you open after the move.

Confirm all the dates: With two weeks left, you can have a more accurate timeline for the move. Make sure you call the utility companies to schedule turning off utilities at your old house and turning them on at the new home on the correct day. Double-check the schedule with your moving company.

Create a first night kit: Pack a box or an overnight bag for each member that will contain clothes, medicines, toiletries, and other essential items, like a first-aid kit, utility knife, and some snacks.

Pack your valuable items: Make sure you allocate a bag or box for valuables like jewelry, medicines, and easily-damaged items that you will carry with you for the move.

Moving Day Tips

Arrive ahead: Make sure you have everything ready for the move before the truck arrives so you can figure out where everything goes.

Oversee everything: Share the spreadsheet with the moving company’s foreman before they get to work and closely watch everything.

Final sweep: Once the moving company professionals are almost done, make a quick sweep of your old home to see if there's anything left. If you are renting the place, we recommend having it cleaned through a professional cleaning service and documenting everything in case of any disputes.

Unpack at the new place: Unpack all the necessities first when you arrive at your new home. Arrange the furniture first, prepare for the first night at the new place, and get some rest. You can figure out the rest of the unpacking later.

Looking for a Home in Redding, CA?

If you are researching moving tips because you are planning to move to Redding, CA, and you have yet to buy a home, we’re here to help.

The Richard Nance Real Estate Team will help you realize your real estate dreams by finding you the perfect home to buy in California’s northernmost region. Our local real estate agents in Redding, CA, can pair you with the perfect place for you to call home here in California.