Moving Checklist for Homeowners

Congratulations on the purchase of your next house. Now that the paperwork is done, it’s time to get started making that house your home. This moving checklist designed for homeowners can help you get started on your most organized move yet.

For almost 30 years, All My Sons Moving & Storage has been helping businesses and families make a smooth relocation. We understand how stressful and anxiety-inducing moving can be. Our experience in moving has taught us that an organized move is an efficient move, so we have created these moving checklists to help our customers get ready for their move. 

Use this checklist as a starting point for your move to your next house.

• Get a Professional Home Inspection

A home inspection typically happens before you close on a house. You want to be sure you fully understand the strengths and weaknesses of a property and know what repairs or renovations are necessary before you proceed with the sale. A home inspector will look for all potential problems that can impact the home’s safety and value.

• Determine Your Budget

Sit down and write out all your estimated moving expenses. Be sure to include all the typical moving expenses like packing supplies, hiring movers, and truck rental and make a contingency plan for the hidden costs of moving like cleaning services, unexpected repairs, and new furniture items. Once you know how much you have to work with and how much you will need, you will be able to make better financial decisions during your move.

• Research Movers

When you move, you want your household furniture, appliances, and other belongings to be in good hands. Search for licensed and insured movers that serve your area and compare their services, prices, and availability. If you are moving yourself, ask your family and friends ahead of time who will be available and secure your helpers as soon as possible.

• Declutter/Downsize

Your move will be much more manageable if you decide ahead of time to offload the things you own that no longer serve you. If you are moving into a smaller property, you might also want to take measurements of your new rooms to determine which of your appliances and furniture pieces will fit and which ones might need to be replaced with smaller versions. Dispose of items that are not in good condition or would be useless to another person, and designate items in good condition for sale or donation.

• Create a Household Inventory

Having a household or moving inventory on hand can help you keep track of your belongings during your move. You can also use your household inventory to note the condition of your items prior to your move so that if anything gets damaged during your move, you will have the proper documentation to back up claims. A household inventory will also come in handy for insurance claims if there is a home disaster later. Determine how you will create your household inventory then go room by room and document the conditions of your items.

• Purchase Packing Supplies

If you have not skipped creating a household inventory, then you should have an accurate estimate of how much you own and how many moving boxes you will need. You will need boxes, packing paper, bubble wrap, and tape. If you are low on moving funds, you might be able to find used moving boxes by asking around on local social media groups.

• Book Your Movers

After you have spent time researching what movers will meet your needs, you should make a final decision about who will perform your move and lock in a reservation. Have your movers officially booked at least a month prior to your move if you can. If you are moving yourself, make sure your rental equipment is reserved, and your helpers have cleared their schedules on your move day.

• Start Packing Non-Essentials

The easiest things to start packing will be the items you will not miss immediately. This could be off-season clothes, holiday decorations, and memorabilia items. You can probably start packing with the items you keep out of sight in back closets and attics. Label your boxes clearly with what they contain or notate their contents in your household moving inventory.

• Schedule Utilities for Disconnection

Call your providers for electricity, gas, cable, or internet and let them know you are moving. Some services, like internet, you might be able to transfer to your new home. The others you will schedule for disconnection. Give your providers your new address so that you can be reached with any final bills.

• Change Your New Home’s Locks

Unless your new home is a brand-new build, you will want to have the locks changed prior to your move-in. Make several copies of the key for your household members as well as some spares to keep on hand or give to friends in case you lock yourself out.

• Check New Home’s Security System

If your home has an existing security system, then take time to check its function, find any manuals, and learn how to use it. If your home does not have a security system installed, now is the time to research your options and set one up.

• Check New Home’s Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Test your new home’s smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are functioning as they should. In the event of a home disaster, these detectors could save your life, but they need to be in working order to do so.

• Make Necessary Repairs or Renovations

It is much easier to make repairs and renovations without having to dodge furniture and boxes, so if anything you plan to address yourself comes up in the home inspection then be sure to make those repairs prior to your move-in and factor these repairs into your moving budget.

• Deep Clean the New House

Once all the repairs and renovations all complete, clear away all the dust and debris. Vacuum all floors, scrub all countertops, and clean all plumbing fixtures. Your fresh start will feel even fresher when you move into a sparkling clean home.

• Pack the Essentials

Once your move date is imminent, it’s time to pack the items you use daily and will need immediately upon arrival. You will typically have essentials in your bathroom, kitchen, and bedroom. Some of these essentials are bathroom toiletries, bed sheets, toilet paper, and kitchen appliances like your coffee maker. Label these boxes as containing essentials, load them into your moving truck last, unload them first, and unpack them upon arrival.

• Pack an Essentials and Emergencies Bag

There are some essentials you will need to keep on your person during your move. We recommend packing a special bag for items you need in case of emergency and items you want on hand during your move. These items include the important documents for your move, a boxcutter, first aid kit, and any important medications for your household.

• Make a Donation Run

Once you have decided what items you are keeping, you may have a stash of items that can be used by someone else. Take these items to a donation center for your charity of choice. Some charities offer pick-up of bulk donations, so check your charity’s website to see if that’s an option available to you.

• Call for Junk Removal

If you have bulk items that cannot be donated left over, call a junk removal company. Junk haulers can often donate, recycle, or properly dispose of most household items. When you’re working on a hard deadline and need trash items gone as soon as possible, your best option is probably to call for junk removal.

• Set Up Utilities

Call your chosen providers for electricity, gas, and internet and walk through the connection process so that your utilities will be operational and ready to bill in your new home. If you need help setting up your home internet or cable, ask for a service technician to come out and help you.

• Supervise Your Movers

Now that all your belongings have been packed, it’s time to load your truck and get to your new place. If you have hired professional movers, this part will be a breeze. Stay on site at all times to be available for any questions your movers might have. If you are moving yourself, then this is the part where you do all the heavy lifting. Pick up your truck and get to loading with your helpers.

• Clean Your Old Place

As your old place empties, take time to thoroughly clean each room. Sweep up debris, vacuum floors, and scrub surfaces. The next tenants of your home will be grateful. If you are hiring professional cleaners, let them know when the home is empty and confirm when they will come to clean it.

• Unload Your Essentials First

Once you have arrived at your new home with your moving truck, unload your boxes of essentials first. Place them in their designated rooms and unpack them as soon as you are able.

• Assemble Essential Furniture

There are some furniture pieces you should get assembled as soon as possible. These include your bed frame, the couch, and a crib if you have small children. You will need a space to sleep at night and a place to crash in case of moving fatigue. Get these items assembled as soon as possible.

• Unpack and Organize

After your essential items are unpacked and your essential furniture pieces are assembled, your place will begin to feel livable. Of course, you want your home to be in better condition than just livable, so break down the process of unpacking. Once the décor is on the walls and the books are on the bookshelves, your house will really begin to feel like home.

• Buy Groceries

Perishable food does not move well, which is why we don’t recommend hauling your frozen food in your moving truck. Of course, if you’ve moved and have no food in your new pantry then you will need to make a run for groceries. Getting your fridge and pantry stocked as soon as possible will save you money on takeout.

• Make a Schedule for Home Maintenance

Check manuals for appliances and find out when your essential systems recommend regular maintenance. Create an annual schedule for changing your HVAC system air filters, cleaning your garbage disposal, and testing your security system and alarms.

• File a Change of Address

Get on the USPS website and file your change of address to have your mail forwarded to your new home. Some providers will be notified of your address change through USPS if you do this, but it is a good idea to update them all individually anyway.

• Update Your Driver’s License

You might have up to 90 days following your move to update your driver’s license address but check your local regulations immediately upon moving. If you have moved within state lines then you might be able to complete this step online, but in some cases you will need to visit your local DPS.

• Register Your Vehicle

If you have moved states, then you will need to register your vehicle in your new state. Once again, local regulations may vary but it is a good idea to get this completed as soon as you are able.

• Update Your Address with All Your Providers

Make a list of all your subscriptions, services, and providers. Update your address in all your accounts. Don’t forget any online stores that have your address on autofill or one-click buy. You don’t want something you ordered delivered to your previous address.

• Notify Friends and Family

You wouldn’t want to miss the annual Christmas letter from your aunt. Make sure all your friends and family have your new address for get-togethers, gifts, and mail.

• Meet Your Neighbors

Getting settled in your new community starts by forging connections. Take some time to introduce yourself to your neighbors. You might consider going door to door with a small gift like baked goods or tea or inviting some neighbors to a housewarming party once you’re better settled.

• Throw a Housewarming Party

Once you are settled, why not celebrate your new home with friends, family, and neighbors? Throw a special housewarming party where you offer snacks, play games, and accept gifts for your new home.