Most moving stress comes from doing everything in the last 72 hours. Spread the same tasks across eight weeks and the whole thing gets calm. Here’s the plan.
8 weeks before
- Set your budget and get quotes from two or three reviewed movers. Book early.
- Start decluttering. Donate, sell, or toss what you won’t want in the new place.
- Create a folder (paper or digital) for estimates, receipts, and records.
6 weeks before
- Gather supplies: boxes, tape, markers, packing paper, and padding.
- Begin packing rarely-used items — off-season clothes, books, decor.
- Measure large furniture and doorways at the new place to avoid surprises.
4 weeks before
- Confirm your mover and get the estimate in writing (binding or not-to-exceed).
- Use up freezer food and cleaning supplies you can’t move.
- Label boxes by room and contents, not just “misc.”
2 weeks before
- File your USPS change of address.
- Transfer or set up utilities at both addresses: power, water, internet, trash.
- Update your address with banks, insurance, employer, and subscriptions.
- Arrange time off work for moving day.
1 week before
- Pack everything except daily essentials.
- Pack an essentials box you keep with you: toiletries, meds, chargers, a change of clothes, basic tools.
- Confirm arrival time and details with your mover.
- Disassemble what you can and keep hardware in labeled bags.
Moving day
- Do a final walkthrough — closets, cabinets, the garage, behind doors.
- Point out fragile and priority items to the crew.
- Keep valuables, documents, and the essentials box with you.
- Check the inventory, confirm the new address, and tip a crew that earned it (see our tipping guide).
The one task that makes every other task easier is the first one: lock in a mover you trust. Start with our moving reviews by city so the crew you book is one worth planning around.