The Only Moving Timeline Checklist You’ll Need

Even if you’re on top of packing, transferring utilities, and changing your address, moving is a daunting ordeal. We’ve put together a complete Moving Survival Guide (with help from our moving-savvy Taskers) to keep you from getting your couch stuck in the doorway and make sure you get your security deposit back.

2-3 Months Out 

Start Packing and Tossing

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Decide what you’ll be bringing with you to your new home. It’ll be hard to leave items behind, but you’ll be glad you decluttered now rather than haul unused stuff from home to home. Additionally, some items can be sold rather than given away. Start posting such valuables on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist to ensure they have time to sell.

Research Movers

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Get at least three quotes from three companies or from independent moving contractors like Taskers. Keep in mind that moving companies that are bound to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s safety standards will come with a U.S. DOT number—double check for this when booking. If you’re booking a Tasker, rest assured that services booked on the Taskrabbit platform are covered by our Happiness Pledge. 

Get Organized

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Use a binder to keep track of your moving inventory, estimates, and receipts. Also, be sure to arrange for your children’s school records to be transferred to their new school district.

6 Weeks Out

Order Moving Supplies

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Stock up on boxes, packing paper, bubble wrap, tape, markers, and more to prep for packing. Additionally, numerous stores offer a variety of boxes for free, including grocery stores, liquor stores, and more.

Take Measurements

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The last thing you want is to arrive at your new home and find out your couch doesn’t fit through the door. Avoid such mishaps to make moving day a breeze by measuring the size of rooms and door frames. If your new home isn’t vacant, arrange to stop by a time when the tenants aren’t home or are otherwise available.

Use Up Non-Perishables

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Before a move is not the time to buy non-essentials. Be sure to meal plan around frozen food and non-perishable items in your pantry. Also, be sure to use up any cleaning supplies that will be tough to move with, such as bleach.

1 Month Out

Decide on a Strategy

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Car or truck? One big move or a few smaller trips? How will you load the truck? Make these decisions before you book help (or bribe friends). To save time on moving day, provide your movers with important details in advance: number and size of items — especially bulky items like sofas and pianos — amount of stairs or elevators at both your pickup and destination location, and access issues like narrow driveways. Plan your route and share it with those helping you move.

Get Permits and Permission

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The last thing you want is to find out on moving day that the service elevator doesn’t run on weekends, or that there’s no parking and you don’t have a place to unload. Look into local parking regulations and secure permits ahead of time.

Transfer Utilities

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Wifi, electricity, gas, water, cable — make sure they’re up and running before you arrive so you don’t spend your first night eating takeout in the dark!

Organize Records

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Along with utilities, you’ll also want to update your address with the post office, any banks, your company human resources department, healthcare providers, and any subscriptions you have.

2 Weeks Out

Request Time Off

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Notify your supervisor that you’ll need moving day off.

Begin Packing

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Packing is easier if you do it a little at a time. Pack infrequently used items first, such as waffle makers and golf clubs. Be sure to use a label system, such as color coding boxes by room, numbering boxes, taking photos of what’s inside each box, and using a clear container to pack high-use items.

Get a Tune-Up

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Make an appointment to get your car tuned up, especially if making a cross-country or long-distance move. Ensuring a safe car is essential to a safe move.

Empty Safety-Deposit Box

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If you’re moving banks, don’t forget to empty your safety deposit box prior to relocating. A good idea is to keep all your important documents in one place throughout the move, and keep that bag or tote with you at all times throughout the move.

1 Week Out

Refill Prescriptions

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Head to your pharmacy and refill any prescriptions so you can be feeling your best on moving day, and have one less errand to run in your new home. Alternatively, you can request your pharmacy transfer your prescriptions to a new location.

Pack a Survival Kit

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Set aside everything you’ll want on hand throughout the move from Sharpies and duct tape for last-minute packing and labeling to shower caps for your shoes to keep the floors clean to trash bags and cleaning supplies. Here’s what you’ll want inside:

  • Duct tape
  • Sharpie
  • Box cutter and scissors
  • Screwdriver
  • Shower caps (for shoe covers) 
  • Snacks
  • Trash bags
  • Cleaning supplies
  • Toilet paper
  • Light bulbs
  • External charger
  • Bottled water 

Organize Support

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It takes a village to move homes — so take advantage of your village. Organize family and friends into shifts for move-out and move-in so you’ll have fresh spirits (and fresh lifting strength) throughout the move.

Hold the Deliveries

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There are enough moving pieces on moving day without having to wait for a new couch to arrive. Schedule furniture deliveries before or after the big day so you can focus on getting settled.

Contact Moving Company

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Reconfirm with your moving company their arrival time and any other specifics. Make sure to make your moving company aware of any special instructions and have both your old home and new home ready for movers to come and go and load safely throughout the day. 

Moving Day

Charge Your Phone

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A charged phone means no missed alarms to sleep through. Also, there’s no doubt you’ll need it to communicate with movers, check traffic, and more. Don’t forget an external charger, too.

Load in Layers

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Loading a moving truck may feel like playing Tetris, but you can avoid tumbling boxes with a little strategy. Layer your items, starting with the heaviest items (mattresses, couches, large appliances) closest to the front of the truck and against the walls. Use oddly shaped items to fill in the spaces, making sure to cushion them with furniture pads. Create a list of all your boxes (and check it twice!) to make sure each one is loaded.

Do One Last Walk Through

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Note any scratches that may have occurred during the move, write down your meter readings, and take out any trash. Finally, search cabinets and crawl spaces for anything that might have gotten left behind.

Unload Straight to the Rooms

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We know it’s hard, but try to resist the temptation to send boxes to the garage or basement when you arrive. Rather than create more work for yourself later, bring each box to its intended room for (consult that list!) easy unpacking.

Take Inventory

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Double-check that list again to make sure each box arrived safe and sound. And don’t forget to clearly separate trash so you don’t throw something out by accident!

Post Move

Post Leftover Boxes on Craigslist

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Instead of breaking down all those pesky moving boxes, post them on Craigslist. Not only can another mover reuse your boxes but you can pay it forward by giving them your supplies for free.

Unpack

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Aim to unpack all your items within two weeks of the move. It may seem daunting – but trust us – you can get it done! A Tasker can help with all your unpacking needs. 

Write Thank You Notes

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Write thank you cards to your family and friends that helped throughout your moving process. Not only is it a kind gesture, but it makes up for not paying them. 

Make Copies of Keys

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Now you’re all settled in, be sure to make copies of your keys for guests and in case of emergencies. 

Install Security System

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Now you have extra keys, be sure your new home is safe. Look into installing a security system to guarantee peace of mind.

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