A move goes smoothly when it’s broken into stages rather than tackled all at once in the final week. This checklist spreads the work out over roughly 60 days, whether you’re moving across town or across a border, and helps you avoid the scramble and expense of leaving everything until the last minute.

60 to 45 Days Out

• Research and book movers or a moving truck, quotes and availability tighten up closer to the date, especially during summer months when demand peaks
• Start a decluttering pass through every room, sell, donate, or discard items you won’t bring, moving less is the cheapest way to cut moving costs
• Create a moving budget covering movers, supplies, travel, temporary housing if needed, and a buffer for unexpected costs
• If moving internationally or across a state or provincial line, research visa, customs, or vehicle registration requirements now, these processes often take weeks

45 to 30 Days Out

• Order moving supplies, boxes, tape, bubble wrap, furniture blankets, if packing yourself
• Start packing items you won’t need in the next month, off-season clothing, books, decor, storage items
• Research your new area, schools if you have children, healthcare providers, and get on any necessary waitlists
• Notify your landlord if renting, most leases require 30 to 60 days’ written notice, check your specific lease terms
• Request school records transfer if children are changing schools

30 to 14 Days Out

• Submit a change of address with your postal service and set up mail forwarding
• Transfer or set up utilities, electricity, gas, water, internet, at both the old and new address, with disconnection and connection dates matching your move
• Update your address with banks, insurance providers, employers, and government agencies
• Continue packing room by room, labeling boxes clearly with contents and destination room
• Arrange time off work for moving day and, if needed, the day after
• Confirm moving company details, date, time, and any special requirements like parking or elevator reservations

14 to 7 Days Out

• Finish packing everything except daily essentials
• Pack a dedicated first-days box or suitcase, toiletries, medications, a few days of clothing, chargers, important documents, and basic kitchen items
• Arrange for pet or plant transport if either requires special handling
• Return any borrowed items and collect anything you’ve lent out
• Clean out the refrigerator and plan meals to use up remaining food

Moving Week

• Defrost and clean the refrigerator and freezer at least a day before movers arrive if it’s being moved
• Confirm arrival times with movers or confirm your rental truck reservation
• Withdraw cash for tips if using professional movers
• Do a final walkthrough checklist of closets, cabinets, attic, garage, and outdoor storage
• Charge phones and any portable devices you’ll need during the move

Moving Day

• Keep your first-days box and important documents with you rather than on the moving truck
• Do a final walkthrough of the old property, checking every room, closet, and storage area
• Take photos of the empty property for your records, particularly if a security deposit is involved
• Confirm all utilities are off or transferred as planned
• Do a walkthrough of the new property on arrival, noting any existing damage before unloading

Staying Ahead of Moving Day

Spreading moving tasks across 60 days rather than cramming them into the final week reduces both stress and the likelihood of forgetting something important, a utility transfer, a records request, a lease notice deadline. Adapt the timeline to your specific situation, an international or long-distance move generally needs more lead time for logistics and paperwork, while a local move can compress some stages, but the underlying structure, declutter and plan early, pack and notify in the middle, finalize details close to the date, applies to almost any move.