The Ultimate Moving Checklist: 8 Weeks Out to Moving Day

Moving goes smoothly when the work is spread across weeks instead of crammed into the last weekend. This checklist breaks a move into eight weeks, with the tasks that matter most in each stage. It works for a local move across Monterey County or a long-distance move across the country. Shorter timeline? Skip ahead to the stage that matches your move date.

Printing tip: Copy each week into your phone’s notes app or print this page and check items off as you go.

At a glance

8 weeks before moving day

• ☐ Set your move date and a budget. Include movers, supplies, deposits, travel, and a buffer for surprises.
• ☐ Make a moving folder (paper or digital) for quotes, leases, receipts, and inventory.
• ☐ Start decluttering. Sort room by room into keep, sell, donate, and toss. Every item you do not move is one you do not pay to pack, load, and carry.
• ☐ Research moving companies. Check reviews, licensing, and insurance. See our FAQs for questions to ask any mover.
• ☐ Check your lease or closing dates and confirm key handoff times.
• ☐ Book time off for moving week if you need it.

Tip for seniors and their families: Starting early makes downsizing less stressful. See our guide to downsizing for a senior move on the Monterey Peninsula, or ask about senior moving services.

6 weeks before moving day

• ☐ Get written estimates from two or three licensed movers and compare what is included. Ask whether the quote is binding, non-binding, or a not-to-exceed estimate.
• ☐ Book your mover. Summer, month-end, and weekends fill up first. Midweek and mid-month dates often cost less, as covered in our post on the cheapest days to hire movers in California.
• ☐ Tell your mover about special items. Pianos, pool tables, safes, fine art, and large TVs need specific handling. We offer piano moving and pool table moving as dedicated services.
• ☐ Order boxes and supplies, or pick them up from our boxes and supplies page. Plan on tape, markers, bubble wrap, packing paper, and wardrobe boxes.
• ☐ Decide what to pack yourself and what to hand off. Professional packing services are worth it for kitchens, art, and anything fragile.
• ☐ Arrange junk removal for what you are not taking, such as old furniture and appliances. See junk removal.
• ☐ Start a home inventory with photos of valuables.

4 weeks before moving day

• ☐ Start packing the rooms you use least: guest room, garage, storage, off-season clothes.
• ☐ Label every box with the destination room and a short contents list. Number the boxes and keep a master list.
• ☐ Notify the important contacts: your employer, bank, insurance companies, doctors, schools, and subscriptions.
• ☐ Transfer school and medical records and prescriptions. Ask your pharmacy for a transfer.
• ☐ Schedule utility shutoff and start dates for power, gas, water, internet, and trash at both addresses.
• ☐ Arrange storage if there is a gap between homes. We offer storage services for short and long gaps.
• ☐ Plan for pets and plants. Check airline or vehicle rules if you are traveling far.
• ☐ Confirm HOA or building rules for elevators, parking, and move-in times. Condos and apartments often require a reservation and proof of insurance. Our guide to moving into a Monterey condo or apartment covers the details.

2 weeks before moving day

• ☐ Confirm your move date, arrival window, and crew size with your mover in writing.
• ☐ Pack most of your home. Leave daily-use items for last.
• ☐ Pack the kitchen carefully. Check our guide to packing kitchen appliances.
• ☐ File your change of address with USPS. Then update your bank, the DMV, insurance, and subscriptions.
• ☐ Use up the freezer and pantry. Stop buying groceries you will have to carry.
• ☐ Arrange parking for the truck near both entrances. Reserve a spot or get a permit if needed.
• ☐ Book help for kids and pets for moving day.
• ☐ Return borrowed items and collect anything you lent out.

1 week before moving day

• ☐ Pack an “open first” essentials bag for each person: medications, chargers, toiletries, a change of clothes, important documents, snacks, and basic tools.
• ☐ Separate valuables. Jewelry, passports, laptops, and irreplaceable items travel with you, not on the truck.
• ☐ Defrost the refrigerator and drain hoses on washers 24 hours before the move.
• ☐ Disassemble furniture if you are doing it yourself. Bag the hardware and tape it to the piece.
• ☐ Take photos of electronics’ cable setups before unplugging.
• ☐ Confirm utilities are scheduled to switch off at the old home and on at the new one.
• ☐ Withdraw cash for tips and small expenses.
• ☐ Clean as you empty rooms.

The day before

• ☐ Finish packing and set aside anything that will not go on the truck.
• ☐ Clear a path through hallways and doors, and protect floors if needed.
• ☐ Charge phones and gather payment and paperwork.
• ☐ Get a good night’s sleep.

Moving day

• ☐ Be there when the crew arrives. Walk them through the home and point out fragile items, tight spots, and anything that should not be moved.
• ☐ Review the paperwork and inventory before you sign.
• ☐ Do a final walk-through of every room, closet, cabinet, and the garage before the truck leaves.
• ☐ Keep your essentials bag with you.
• ☐ Lock up, turn off lights, and hand over the keys.
• ☐ At the new place, tell the crew where each room is and check the inventory as items come off the truck.
• ☐ Note any damage right away on the paperwork before the crew leaves.
• ☐ Tip your crew if you were happy with their work.

After the move

• ☐ Set up beds, the kitchen, and bathrooms first.
• ☐ Unpack room by room instead of opening everything at once.
• ☐ Check for damage and report any claims within the window in your mover’s paperwork.
• ☐ Update your address on your license, vehicle registration, voter registration, insurance, and accounts.
• ☐ Find the main shutoffs for water, gas, and the electrical panel, and test the smoke detectors.
• ☐ Explore the neighborhood. Find the nearest grocery, pharmacy, and urgent care.
• ☐ Keep your moving folder for taxes and warranty questions.

Special-situation add-ons

Long-distance moves: Confirm the delivery window, get a detailed inventory, and plan for temporary storage. See long-distance moving.

Military moves: Keep your orders handy, and if you are weighing a self-move, read our PPM calculator guide.

Moving with a piano or pool table: Do not DIY. Book specialists early. See piano moving and pool table moving.

Local moves: Even short moves benefit from a plan. Learn more about local moving.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I start planning a move?

Eight weeks is ideal for a full household, and a month is a workable minimum. For summer or end-of-month moves, book your mover as soon as you have a date.

What should I do first when moving?

Set your date and budget, declutter, and get written estimates from licensed movers. Everything else follows from those decisions.

What should I not forget on moving day?

Your essentials bag, valuables, important documents, a final walk-through of every room, and a review of the paperwork and inventory before you sign.

When should I change my address?

File your USPS change of address about two weeks before the move, then update your bank, insurance, the DMV, and subscriptions. The “After the move” section above lists everything to change.

Should I pack myself or hire packers?

Pack low-risk items yourself, such as books, linens, and clothes. For kitchens, artwork, and fragile items, professional packing services reduce the risk of damage.

How much should I budget for a move?

Costs depend on distance, size, timing, and services. Compare at least two written estimates and add a cushion for supplies, deposits, and tips.

Ready to take the heavy lifting off the checklist?

Mod Movers serves the Monterey Peninsula, Salinas, Santa Cruz, and the surrounding area. Request a free quote and we will help you turn this checklist into a plan.