MOVING CHECKLIST
Your Week-by-Week Moving Checklist
Print it, stick it on the fridge, and check off one small task at a time.
Moving feels huge when you look at it all at once. Broken into weeks, it gets a lot more manageable. This checklist is for anyone moving a home or apartment, whether you have two months to plan or a little less. Start at the section that matches your timeline and work forward.
Each week has a short list of tasks. Tick them off as you go, and don’t worry if a few slide into the next week. The goal is simply fewer surprises on moving day. We put this together at A & M Friendly Movers because it’s the same list we wish every customer had in hand before our crew knocks on the door. If you have questions along the way, call us and you’ll talk to an owner.
Need something more specific? See our packing checklist, our long-distance moving checklist, and our business moving checklist.
Your Week-by-Week Moving Checklist
8 Weeks Before
- ☐ Pick your moving date and a backup date
- ☐ Get a free moving quote and ask how pricing works
- ☐ Set a simple moving budget, including supplies and deposits
- ☐ Start a moving folder for quotes, receipts, and notes
- ☐ Walk through each room and decide what stays and what goes
- ☐ Measure large furniture and doorways at the new place
- ☐ Ask your employer about any moving time off or help
6 Weeks Before
- ☐ Book your movers and pay the deposit to hold the date
- ☐ Sell, donate, or give away things you won’t move
- ☐ Order boxes, tape, and packing paper
- ☐ Request school and medical records if you’re changing providers
- ☐ Use up frozen food and pantry items you won’t pack
- ☐ Ask your new building about elevator reservations and move rules
- ☐ Plan who will watch kids and pets on moving day
4 Weeks Before
- ☐ Start packing rooms you use the least
- ☐ Label every box with its room and a short list of contents
- ☐ Submit your change of address with the post office
- ☐ Schedule utility shutoff at the old home and setup at the new one
- ☐ Book internet installation for your first few days
- ☐ Arrange storage if your move-out and move-in dates don’t line up
- ☐ Plan junk removal for items you don’t want to haul
2 Weeks Before
- ☐ Confirm your moving date, arrival window, and addresses with your movers
- ☐ Update your address with banks, insurance, and subscriptions
- ☐ Refill prescriptions so you won’t run out during the move
- ☐ Dispose of paint, propane, fuel, and cleaning chemicals safely
- ☐ Pack most of the house, leaving only daily essentials out
- ☐ Arrange to have large appliances disconnected before moving day
- ☐ Take photos of electronics wiring before unplugging anything
Moving Week & Day Before
- ☐ Defrost and dry out the refrigerator and freezer
- ☐ Pack an open-first box and an overnight bag for everyone
- ☐ Set aside keys, remotes, and chargers in one marked bag
- ☐ Clear a path and reserve parking close to the door for the truck
- ☐ Empty drawers of anything heavy, loose, or breakable
- ☐ Keep important papers and valuables with you, not on the truck
- ☐ Set aside snacks, water, and paper towels for moving day
Moving Day & First Week After
- ☐ Be home when the crew arrives and walk them through the house
- ☐ Point out fragile items and anything that should not be moved
- ☐ Do a final walkthrough of every closet, cabinet, and shelf
- ☐ Tell the crew where each room is at the new home
- ☐ Check furniture and boxes before the crew leaves
- ☐ Unpack the kitchen, beds, and bathrooms first
- ☐ Test smoke detectors and change the locks at your new home
- ☐ Break down empty boxes and plan pickup or recycling
Easy-to-Forget Tasks
Check Your Moving Day Access
Look at your street, driveway, and building before moving day. Low branches, tight turns, parking limits, or elevator reservations can slow the crew down. Let your movers know about stairs, long walks to the door, or gate codes so they can plan the right crew and equipment.
Get a Building Insurance Certificate
Many apartment buildings, condos, and offices require a certificate of insurance before movers can use their elevators or loading docks. Ask your property manager early what they need. A & M Friendly Movers provides a certificate of insurance for buildings free of charge, so just send us the details.
Handle Items Movers Can't Take
Paint, propane, gasoline, cleaning chemicals, and ammunition can't go on a moving truck. Use them up, give them away, or drop them at a local disposal site ahead of time. Also plan to carry plants, medications, and important papers in your own car.
Plan for a Delayed Closing
Closings sometimes slip at the last minute. If your new home isn't ready when the old one has to be empty, ask your movers about options. A & M can keep your items locked on the truck overnight or place them in short-term storage until you get the keys.
Moving Checklist FAQs
Eight weeks gives you room to compare quotes, sort your belongings, and pack without rushing. If you have less time, start with the section that matches your timeline and focus on booking movers, packing, and changing your address first. We also help with short-notice moves, so call us and we’ll do everything we can to fit you in.
Local moves are billed hourly in 15-minute increments with a 3-hour minimum. The clock starts when our crew arrives at your home, not when they leave the office, and it stops when the job is done at your new place. Disassembly, reassembly, and wrapping and padding furniture are included at no extra cost. Request a free quote and we’ll walk you through it.
A $100 deposit holds your date and is applied to your move. For local moves, you pay the balance after the move is finished. For long-distance moves, payment is due once the truck is loaded. We accept credit and debit cards, personal checks, and certified checks. We don’t accept cash.
Plans change, and we understand that. A & M Friendly Movers never charges a rescheduling fee, for any reason. Just call us as soon as you know your new date and we’ll work with you to find a time that fits. The sooner you let us know, the more dates we’ll usually have open.
It depends on your time and how much you own. Many families pack books, clothes, and decor themselves and leave the kitchen and fragile items to a crew. We offer full or partial packing and unpacking, and we can deliver boxes and supplies right to your door if you’d rather pack on your own.
Have your open-first box, valuables, and important papers set aside where they won’t get loaded. Clear walkways, reserve close parking, and make sure appliances are already disconnected. When the crew arrives, walk them through each room and point out anything fragile. Our guide on what to expect on moving day covers the rest.
Ready to Check Off the Biggest Task?
Booking your movers is the step that makes everything else on this list easier. A & M Friendly Movers is family owned, and our crews are background-checked W-2 employees who treat your home with care. When you call, you’ll talk to an owner who can answer your questions and help you plan. Call 717-434-6711 or get your free quote today.
Ready to start your stress-free move? Contact us today to Get a free moving quote and let the A & M family make your moving experience a delightful one!