Household Moving Checklist
Many years ago I wrote down a simple household moving checklist a month before we moved. This checklist covers the basics.
It prevents that dreadful panic when you leave things to the very last moment. It’s a low stress way to move.
Organizing your packing and planning your move a month before your moving dates gives you the time to declutter. You can save hundreds of dollars if you get organized, make a plan and declutter.
4 Weeks Before Moving House
Start Organizing the move
- Book your removal company, search for a good quote.
- Start to use food in freezer, and canned goods
- Start a folder for your move. Put a calendar page in the folder to list moving house tasks to be done.
- Organize schooling if you are changing districts
- Make a simple decluttering plan. List all things you want to toss and donate.
- Start to shred paper clutter like bank statements, toss old notes, notebooks
- Go through closets and donate clothes, toys, dishes.
- Book a big garbage pickup for week three and declutter that garage.
Three Weeks Before Moving House
Start packing your stuff
- Purchase cartons, packing material and butchers paper to pack breakables
- Pack things like books, linens, platters and kids toys. Set a goal of packing one or two boxes a day.
- Label the contents and room of every carton clearly
- Add an arrow for up especially with breakable items
- Pack lighter items in large cartons, heavier items in small cartons.
- Start to dismantle furniture that comes apart – remember to tape screws or put labeled bags of screws in one box
2 Weeks Before Moving House
- Organize child and pet care on moving day.
- Organize your telephone, internet, gas, electricity.
- Redirect mail through local Post Office and notify people of your change of address.
2 Days to Moving House
- Pack a first night suitcase or box. Kids favorite toys toiletries, sleepwear, school stuff and all the essentials for the following day.
- Collect keys for your new home.
The Day Before
- Defrost, empty, dry out and air your refrigerator and freeze
- Prepare bags/cartons with items you will transport yourselves.
Moving Day
- Do a quick check of garage and home.
- Turn off power
- Lock house
On the Day
- Give directions so furniture is placed where you want
- Check all utilities are connected, hot water is on.
- Check that furniture is unloaded in good condition
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