A move that goes smoothly almost never starts on move day. It starts eight weeks earlier. Here's the exact order our most-organized customers tackle things — pulled from a decade of post-move follow-ups.
8 weeks out
- Inventory what you have. Walk every room with your phone. Take photos and notes. You'll thank yourself later.
- Decide what's coming with you. Be ruthless. Less stuff = less time = less money.
- Get 3 quotes. Including ours, of course. Look for binding flat-rate quotes for long distance and clear hourly rates for local.
- Check estimates against your move date. Peak season is May–August and end-of-month. Book early.
6 weeks out
- Lock in your mover. Pay the deposit (ours is $100, refundable up to 48 hours).
- Start using up freezer/pantry food. You can't move it. Don't waste it either.
- Schedule any specialty handling — piano, safe, art, antiques. These need pre-survey.
4 weeks out
- Order packing supplies. Or schedule pack help. Wardrobe boxes for closets are a game-changer.
- Update address everywhere. USPS forwarding (online), driver's license, voter registration, banks, subscriptions, doctor.
- Notify utilities. Gas, electric, water, internet — both old and new addresses.
2 weeks out
- Pack non-essentials. Off-season clothes, books, decorations, kitchen gadgets you never use.
- Confirm move details with us. We'll text you the day before with crew names and arrival window.
- Arrange parking for the moving truck at both ends. Reserve a permit downtown if needed.
Move week
- Pack a "first night" box. Toilet paper, soap, toothbrush, phone chargers, bedding, coffee maker, snacks. Do not put this on the truck.
- Defrost your fridge 24+ hours before move day if you're taking it.
- Walk through the house. Take photos of any existing damage so there's no question later.
Day of the move
- Be there. Or have someone there with full authority to make decisions.
- Tip if you want to. Standard is $20–40 per mover for a half-day, $50–100 for a full day.
- Do a final walkthrough. Empty closets, check the attic, look behind appliances.
After
- Save your inventory list. It's your insurance.
- Tag us in a photo! We love seeing customers settled in.
If you want this as a PDF, grab our printable checklist — designed to live on the fridge.