{"id":13359,"date":"2015-12-15T09:21:23","date_gmt":"2015-12-15T15:21:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/storagecom-blog.local\/?p=13359"},"modified":"2025-07-31T16:10:11","modified_gmt":"2025-07-31T21:10:11","slug":"free-printable-moving-checklist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stg-httpsblogstoragecom-staging.kinsta.cloud\/blog\/free-printable-moving-checklist\/","title":{"rendered":"Free Printable Moving Checklist"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Moving can be overwhelming<\/a>, but it doesn’t have to be chaotic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You’ve got to juggle scoring packing supplies and moving boxes, loading the rental truck, and unpacking it, all while adjusting to a new home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There’s definitely some stuff you can organize and prep ahead of time, but there are other steps we can’t do until the day of the move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still, you can mentally prepare for all of it by creating a detailed moving checklist ahead of time, ensuring you don\u2019t miss a single step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to the time it takes to pack, haul, and unpack your belongings, you also have to update utility companies with your new address and schedule utilities activation at the new place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may even have to transfer sensitive information, such as medical, financial, and school records, to new facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Knowing how to plan your move can simplify the process, and Storage.com is here to help with a free printable moving checklist. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our detailed moving checklist starts eight weeks before moving day, providing week-by-week steps, notes, and tips on what you need to get done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Click the button below to download the free moving checklist, but don’t stop there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The article below the printable checklist offers additional moving tips that can conserve your time and resources.We\u2019ll also explain how Storage.com<\/a> can help you prepare for the big day.  We’ll even share some pro storage hacks<\/a> you can use to save some money.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Download Our Free Moving Checklist!<\/p>\n

Download<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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8 WEEKS BEFORE YOU MOVE – START PLANNING YOUR MOVE<\/h2>\n

\"Plan<\/p>\n

This week of your moving checklist is all about prepping a game plan for your move.<\/span><\/p>\n

You want to ensure that everything regarding your new home is scheduled eight weeks ahead of time.<\/span><\/p>\n

Start by triple-checking that all the legal documents are signed and ready for action. To make the legal process easier and more organized, create a file for all your moving-related documents and keep everything in one place.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ensure all paperwork for your new home is completed, signed, and secure<\/span><\/h3>\n

A solid move-out plan starts with securing your new house or apartment- there’s no moving without a place to move to.<\/span><\/p>\n

This means signing any house or apartment leases, paying your security deposit, ensuring your home loan has gone through, and completing any other paperwork with ample time to spare.<\/span><\/p>\n

Determine whether you will move yourself or use professional movers<\/span><\/h3>\n

Moving on your own saves you money, and it can be done quickly if moving across town into a different neighborhood. But for a long-distance move where your multiple trips aren’t realistic, you might consider scheduling a full-service moving company to help you out.<\/span><\/p>\n

Professional moving services offer benefits such as seasoned expertise, specialty lifting, and dollying equipment for safely moving heavy and fragile items.<\/span><\/p>\n

You might also consider an optional packing service, in which pros come ahead of time to help you pack your stuff before moving day.<\/span><\/p>\n

Research and request estimates from moving companies<\/span><\/h3>\n

Whether you only need help packing or think you need a full-service moving company, use review websites such as Yelp or even Google Reviews to hear about past customers’ experiences.<\/span><\/p>\n

Create a budget for moving, which should include the cost of packing supplies, moving boxes, transportation, and the optional packing services or professional mover help<\/span><\/h3>\n

Moving budgets should start with an inventory list of expenses such as moving and packing supplies, shipping, a rental truck, and personal transportation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Create a digital or hard file to track important moving documents such as receipts and important medical, dental, school, and financial records<\/span><\/h3>\n

Keep a digital or hard file in a secure, easy-to-remember location. It should be secure, as it’ll eventually include documentation of all your security and utility deposits and important medical, dental, educational, and financial records.<\/span><\/p>\n

7 WEEKS BEFORE YOU MOVE – GATHER IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS<\/h2>\n

\"Gather<\/p>\n

Week 7 of your detailed moving checklist will primarily involve assembling a list of items that will make up your moving file or digital folder. Start by collecting the necessary information for relocating.<\/span><\/p>\n

If applicable, begin requesting and collecting medical, dental, prescription, and veterinary records<\/span><\/h3>\n

You’ll need to begin collecting medical information for a long-distance move or moving out of state<\/a>. HIPAA gives everyone the right to copies of their medical records, but the process can still be lengthy, as the law allows up to 30 days for the healthcare provider to deliver the copies.<\/span><\/p>\n

In some cases, providers can even request a 30-day extension, though they need to give a reason for needing the extra time.<\/span><\/p>\n

Requesting medical records will also require filling out an authorization form. You may need to show a government-issued ID. Most non-critical care records should be received within 5-10 business days.<\/span><\/p>\n

Compile copies of financial and legal records<\/span><\/h3>\n

.Like medical records, this can also take some time, so it\u2019s important to begin collecting documents more than a month before your move.<\/span><\/p>\n

Request school records to be transferred<\/span><\/h3>\n

If you\u2019re moving into a new school district and have school-aged children, contact your current and new schools about the move and begin transferring educational records to the appropriate parties.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cancel or transfer gym or health club memberships<\/span><\/h3>\n

Most gyms and health clubs require a 30-day notice of discontinuing services. Waiting too long to notify your gym of cancellation could result in being charged for an additional month of membership that will be left unused.<\/span><\/p>\n

Contact the insurance agent to see if adjustments need to be made to a new policy<\/span><\/h3>\n

Your homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policy will change as you move into a new home. And even when it comes to your additional insurance policies, like medical and dental, you’ll need to change your address with agencies across the board.<\/span><\/p>\n

Alerting your carriers of the change of address notifications early prevents stress from happening too much at once. Waiting til the last minute risks overlooking or forgetting important information or having mail go to the wrong place because they have the old address on file.<\/span><\/p>\n

6 WEEKS BEFORE YOU MOVE – DECIDE WHAT STAYS AND WHAT GOES<\/h2>\n

\"Deciding<\/p>\n

Now that you\u2019ve completed some initial planning and document retrieval, you can focus on prepping your belongings. We suggest packing in stages, and the first stage of that journey is<\/span> decluttering and purging<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Week 6 of your free printable moving checklist focuses on organizing the items you plan to move and getting rid of household items you no longer use, need, or want.<\/span><\/p>\n

Determine whether to ship or personally transport costly and personally valuable items<\/span><\/h3>\n

Many of the items you\u2019ll be relocating during the move will have a high financial or personal cost if broken or lost.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Shipping services can often provide a secure and professional assurance that items will be relocated safely. However, some sentimental items, such as family heirlooms, may be worth moving yourself.<\/span><\/p>\n

Begin taking inventory of all your items and separate them into nonessential, essential, and unneeded\/unwanted items<\/span><\/h3>\n

Non-essential items are typically seasonal clothing, decorations, or even tools and equipment you won\u2019t need in the weeks before your move. Essential items are belongings you\u2019ll use regularly, such as eating utensils and cookware.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Unneeded and unwanted items can be anything you don\u2019t use anymore because it’s broken or you\u2019ve outgrown it, such as old but still usable clothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Discard broken, irreparable, or other unwanted items<\/span><\/h3>\n

Moving can be a great opportunity to clean your home of unusable and unwanted belongings.<\/span><\/p>\n

Discard these items as soon as you can to avoid second-guessing and moving the clutter to your new home.<\/span><\/p>\n

Begin planning a garage sale<\/span><\/h3>\n

A <\/span>garage sale<\/span><\/a> can be a great way to get rid of unwanted items and earn a few extra dollars.<\/span><\/p>\n

We suggest you start with seasonal items and sell or donate anything that has been in long-term storage for more than a year.<\/span><\/p>\n

Begin consuming perishables and using other products that can’t be moved or shipped<\/span><\/h3>\n

As far as food goes, start with items that have a short shelf life, such as fruits and dairy, and avoid stocking up on these items in the next few weeks.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other products that can’t be shipped include flammables such as lighter fluid, poisons found in bug sprays, and aerosol cleaning products.<\/span><\/p>\n

5 WEEKS BEFORE YOU MOVE – BEGIN PACKING SELDOM-USED BELONGINGS<\/h2>\n

\"Seldom-Used<\/p>\n

With your belongings separated into essential and non-essential items, it’s time to start packing! Your fifth week will consist of gathering moving supplies, packing your items, and making important arrangements for the move.<\/span><\/p>\n

Purchase or collect moving supplies<\/span><\/h3>\n

Most local retailers sell packing supplies such as cardboard moving boxes, bubble wrap, box-filling peanuts, and packing tape.<\/span><\/p>\n

Supermarkets sometimes have leftover boxes, which they will give you for free because they otherwise have to pay to recycle. You can also use crumpled-up newspaper to help cushion items you will be packing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Begin packing non-essential items and label boxes, including what room they will be placed in once moved, such as bedroom, kitchen, or living room<\/span><\/h3>\n

Since you probably won’t need your non-essential items, such as seasonal clothing, before the move, go ahead and pack them first. If possible, pack related belongings together, and be sure to label all of your boxes. This will make the process of unpacking and moving in easier in the long run, and you won\u2019t have to later wonder, \u201cWhere did I pack that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

File a change of address with the US Postal Service or request them to hold mail at the post office that serves your new neighborhood<\/span><\/h3>\n

While you still have a few weeks to go, notify the U.S. Postal Service that you\u2019ll change your address so that your mail will no longer be sent to your current home.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once you\u2019ve moved into your new spot, the last thing you want is for any vital mail or credit card information to be shipped to your old address.<\/span><\/p>\n

You could also request them to hold your incoming mail at the post office in the city you\u2019re moving to.<\/span><\/p>\n

4 WEEKS BEFORE YOU MOVE – NOTIFY UTILITIES AND MAKE MOVING RESERVATIONS<\/h2>\n

\"Notify<\/p>\n

We suggest notifying your current utility companies of your upcoming change of address four weeks before the move. Then, we recommend applying for a service transfer to schedule utility activation at the new address.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you’re moving long-distance, your current service providers might not provide services in your new neighborhood. You may have to research some new companies and pay utility deposits to schedule utilities at the new address.<\/span><\/p>\n

Notify utility services at your current and new locations of relocation<\/span><\/h3>\n

Utility services you should contact include:<\/span><\/p>\n