The Complete Moving Checklist: 8 Weeks to Move Day
Moving is one of the most stressful life events, but a good checklist makes it manageable. This timeline covers everything from 8 weeks out through your first week in the new home — so nothing falls through the cracks.
8 Weeks Before: Planning
Start early to avoid last-minute chaos. The first step is creating a home inventory of everything you own — this serves as your moving manifest, insurance documentation, and helps you decide what to keep, sell, or donate.
- Create a complete home inventory (use PAMKIT to scan items)
- Get moving estimates from 3+ companies
- Start decluttering: sell, donate, or trash items you don't need
- Notify your landlord if renting (check lease for notice requirements)
- Start a moving budget
4 Weeks Before: Logistics
With a month to go, lock in the logistics. Book movers, start packing non-essential items, and begin the address change process.
- Book moving company or reserve truck rental
- Start packing non-essential rooms (guest room, garage, storage)
- File USPS change of address
- Transfer or set up utilities at new address
- Notify bank, employer, insurance, DMV of new address
- Arrange school transfers for children
1 Week Before: Final Prep
The final week is about wrapping up loose ends and making sure moving day goes smoothly.
- Finish packing all rooms — label every box by room
- Confirm moving company date and time
- Pack an "essentials box" (toiletries, medications, chargers, snacks, tools)
- Clean the old home (or schedule cleaning service)
- Photograph the old home's condition for deposit return
- Defrost freezer, disconnect appliances
Moving Day
Moving day is about execution. Have your essentials box accessible, supervise the loading, and do a final walkthrough.
- Do a final walkthrough of every room, closet, and cabinet
- Take meter readings at old home
- Supervise movers — note any damage to items
- Get a copy of the bill of lading from movers
- Lock up and return keys to old home
First Week in New Home
The first week is critical for security, safety, and getting settled. Prioritize the items that protect your home and family.
- Change all locks and garage codes immediately
- Test smoke detectors and CO alarms
- Locate water shutoff, electrical panel, and gas shutoff
- Unpack essentials first (kitchen, bathroom, bedroom)
- Register all new appliances with manufacturers
- Create a new home inventory with PAMKIT
Checklist
- 8 weeks: Create home inventory of everything
- 8 weeks: Get 3+ moving estimates
- 8 weeks: Start decluttering and selling/donating
- 6 weeks: Book moving company or truck
- 4 weeks: File USPS change of address
- 4 weeks: Transfer/set up utilities
- 4 weeks: Notify bank, employer, insurance, DMV
- 4 weeks: Start packing non-essential rooms
- 2 weeks: Pack remaining rooms, label all boxes
- 1 week: Pack essentials box
- 1 week: Confirm movers, clean old home
- Moving day: Final walkthrough, meter readings
- New home: Change locks, test detectors
- New home: Register appliances with manufacturers
- New home: Create home inventory in PAMKIT