The Best Checklist For Moving Out (With Printable PDFs)

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Professional move manager Marty Stevens-Heebner, SMM-C, CPO®, offers moving tips for a smooth transition

Co-authored by Marty Stevens-Heebner, SMM-C, CPO® and Samantha Fulton, BA

Last Updated: July 15, 2026 Fact Checked

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• 2 Months Before
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• 1 Month Before
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• 2 Weeks Before
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• The Week Of
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• The Day Of
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• After Moving
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• FAQs
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• Video

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If you’re planning on moving soon, you’re probably feeling overwhelmed. Don’t worry—we’re here to help. We’ve partnered with a professional move manager to put together this comprehensive moving checklist (with a free, printable PDF version). We’ll let you know how to prepare for your move starting 2 months in advance and working our way through what to do a month out and 2 weeks out. Then, we’ll walk you through key steps during moving week and moving day. Plus, keep reading for advice on what to do after you move in. Let’s get started, so your move-in date can go off without a hitch!

Tips to Plan Your Move

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Professional move manager Marty Stevens-Heebner, SMM-C, CPO®, says to pack in advance in the weeks leading up to your move. Also, be sure to give notice to utility providers and landlords, hire movers or ask friends for help, and pack essentials like bedding, toiletries, and kitchen supplies in an “open first” box.

Steps

Section 1 of 7:

Checklist For 2 Months Before the Move

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   Set your moving budget. Moving can be expensive, so it’s good to plan your expenses in advance. Take some time to calculate how much you’re able to spend on your move. This will help you decide if your move will be DIY, if you can hire movers, and which moving company to choose.

   • If you’ll be making a big move and need to ship your car, consider the cost of vehicle shipping when setting your budget.

   Meet the wikiHow Expert

   Marty Stevens-Heebner, SMM-C, CPO®, is a certified professional organizer and founder of Clear Home Solutions, a home organizing and senior moving management company based in Southern California.
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   Give your landlord at least 30-60 days of notice. If you’re a renter, make sure you give your landlord advance notice to avoid penalty fees. Contact your leasing office to ask how much notice they need, and then provide written notice including your move-out date, rental address, and forwarding information.
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   Request time off of work, if necessary. Depending on the complexity of your move, you may need some time off to ensure things run smoothly. If you’re moving locally, give your employer notice that you’ll need time off to move. Check in about your time off policy and provide the required amount of advance notice to give yourself time to move and unpack.
4. 4
   Select a moving company or ask friends to help. Now that you’ve set your budget, it’s time to choose your moving company. Decide on your movers based on the cost and the type of move you’re making. In order from least to most costly, there are truck rentals, labor-only movers, container moving services, full-service movers, and long-distance movers.

   • If you’re making a local move or moving on a budget, ask your friends for help! Let them know when you’re moving and see if they’re willing to give you a hand packing, moving, and unloading at your new place.
5. 5
   Find out if you’ll need parking permits for movers. If you’re parking a large moving truck in a public area, you may need a moving permit. For a DIY move, you’ll need to apply through your city government (usually through the Department of Transportation). Professional movers will usually take care of permits, but it doesn’t hurt to confirm with them before the big day!
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Section 2 of 7:

Checklist For 1 Month Before the Move

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   Declutter your space before starting the packing process. Sell or donate any items you no longer use. This gives you less stuff to pack up and move. Make sure you give yourself enough time to sell or drop off your items at donation centers. You can also ask friends or family to help you sort your things and let them take items they’re interested in off your hands.
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   Determine if you’ll need a storage unit. Depending on the size of your new place and how many things you’re bringing with you, it may be necessary to get a storage unit. Assess whether you’ll need one and call storage companies about pricing and reservation timelines. Typically, if you’re reserving more than a couple weeks in advance, you’ll need to pay the rental cost even if the unit is empty.
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   Take care of household repairs and touch-ups at your old place. Make sure you’ve addressed any repairs or damages before you move out. Check for leaks, chipped paint, drywall damage, HVAC issues, carpet stains, and scuff marks. Schedule maintenance for repairs and touch-ups that you can’t take care of yourself.
4. 4
   Get packing supplies. You’ll need boxes, packing tape, packing paper, and bubble wrap. Stevens-Heebner recommends reusing old boxes from past deliveries to save money. She says you can also go to supermarkets or restaurants to get extra boxes—just make sure it’s strong cardboard.

   • Make sure you also have Sharpies to label boxes.
5. 5
   Gradually pack your things starting 4-6 weeks before your move. Stevens-Heebner cautions against waiting until the last minute to pack up. Give yourself enough time to sort and pack in an organized manner. This will help prevent breakage of fragile items and will save you from unnecessary stress.

   • Label your boxes to make unpacking at your new place easier.
   • Pack non-essentials first. Start with clothes you know you won’t wear or items you won’t use before you move.
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Section 3 of 7:

Checklist For 2 Weeks Before the Move

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   Schedule cancellation dates for your utilities and services. To avoid paying utility bills for your old place after you move, make sure to contact providers to cancel services. In most cases, you can schedule cancellation in advance through your providers’ websites or by calling them. Here are some services you may need to cancel before you move:

   • Water and sewage
   • Internet and cable
   • Electricity
   • Trash and recycling pickup
   • Homeowners or renters insurance
   • Cleaners, gardeners, landscapers
   • Gym membership
   • Meal prep or food/grocery delivery service
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   File your change-of-address a couple weeks before you move. Visit your local post office for a change-of-address card, or use the official USPS change-of-address online form. This will provide free mail forwarding for a year while you inform key people and contacts of your new address.
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   Work your way through your pantry and fridge. To cut down on food waste, try to eat what you can before your move. You might also donate nonperishables to a food pantry, or ask friends and family if they want to take anything off your hands. Or, make meals in bulk and have a going away dinner party!

   • Try not to bring home any big grocery hauls in the last couple weeks before your move. If you can, plan simple meals that don’t require many ingredients (even better if those ingredients are already in your fridge!).
4. 4
   Schedule time to say goodbye to your loved ones. Moving can be super chaotic, so don’t forget to set aside some time to say goodbye if you’re moving somewhere far away. Let your friends and family know you want to spend time with them before you move. Make sure you take the time to visit any favorite places you want to see before you go, too!
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Section 4 of 7:

Checklist For Moving Week

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   Confirm your move with your movers, helpers, and landlord. The week of your move, touch base with anyone involved with your move. Confirm the time and date with any movers (whether they’re professional or friends). If you’re renting a moving truck, call the company to confirm your reservation. If you’re renting, make sure your landlord knows when you’re moving out and returning your keys.
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   Warn your neighbors if you’ll be blocking parts of the street. If there will be moving vehicles blocking driveways or parking spots, let your neighbors know what to expect. Likewise, if you’ll be moving large furniture and blocking any walkways, give neighbors a head’s up.
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   Confirm utilities and internet at your new place. Make sure you’ll have electricity, running water, and internet when you arrive. Call your new providers and confirm your move-in date and ensure your services will be set up when you get there.
4. 4
   Clean your old place. Make your old place clean and tidy for new tenants or any leasing office walkthroughs. If you’re a renter and heavy cleaning is required after you move, you could be charged with penalty fees. Take the time to deep clean the bathroom and kitchen and clean the floors.

   • If your moving budget allows, you can hire cleaners and schedule them for the week of your move.
5. 5
   Disassemble any large furniture. To save time and make things run smoothly on moving day, take apart your furniture in advance. This way, you can organize any small parts or screws and easily locate them when you’re at your new place. Plus, it’ll save you the hassle of moving heavier pieces of furniture if they’re disassembled.
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   Pack up essentials the day before your move. Pack an overnight bag with clothes, toiletries, and medication for the first few days after you move. Stevens-Heebner also recommends making an “open me first” box. These are items you’ll need immediately after you move in, such as table place settings, bathroom essentials, and bed linens. Here’s a mini moving checklist for your “first night” box:

   • Bedding (pillows, sheets, comforter)
   • Toothbrush and toothpaste
   • Shampoo, conditioner, bodywash, deodorant
   • Shower curtain and rod
   • Clothes, socks, and underwear for the first few days
   • A couple bowls, plates, silverware sets, glasses, and mugs
   • Phone or device chargers
   • Prescription medications
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Section 5 of 7:

Checklist For Moving Day

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   Monitor your movers. Keep an eye on movers or helpers to make sure things are running smoothly. If you have breakables, ensure that they’re being handled with care. Wrap furniture in moving blankets to keep it safe and secure, adds Stevens-Heebner.
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   Have snacks and drinks on hand. Whether you have professional movers or friends helping you out, it’s good to have food and drinks for breaks. Moving is a lot of heavy lifting and manual labor, so make sure you and your movers/helpers are fueling up throughout the day!
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   Do a final walkthrough. If you’re a renter, you might have to schedule a walkthrough with your leasing manager or landlord. Regardless, do one last walkthrough to ensure you aren’t leaving anything behind. Thoroughly check each room and any cabinets or drawers for remaining items. Make sure you leave behind a clean space.

   • If you’re selling your home, you’ll likely schedule a final walkthrough with your real estate agent to check that necessary repairs and maintenance have been completed for the new buyers.
4. 4
   Return your keys, if applicable. Renters must return their keys to the property leasing manager or their landlord. Gather all door keys and mail keys your landlord gave you when you moved in and return them. Different properties have different rules on key returns, so check in and ask if you should leave your keys in the property or hand them directly to the landlord.

   • Some properties may have a key dropbox.
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Section 6 of 7:

Checklist For Settling in After Moving

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   Make your bed as soon as possible. Stevens-Heebner says making your bed is one of the best things you can do right after you move in. “You want to get yourself set up so you can stay overnight,” she notes. Assuming you packed an “open me first” box, get your bed linens out and make your bed so you’ll have a comfy place to sleep your first night.
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   After your bed, unpack your bathroom and kitchen items. This is the other critical first step Stevens-Heebner advises taking immediately after a move. However, you don’t need to unpack the entire bathroom or entire kitchen all at once. “Just the immediate amenities that you need,” Stevens-Heebner adds.
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   Get groceries. After you’ve unpacked your essentials, make a trip to the grocery store to start filling up your kitchen. Odds are, you were only able to bring nonperishables with you from your old place, so make sure to stock up on any essential food items. For instance, you may need milk for your cereal or cream for your coffee the next morning.

   • Make a list of grocery items you need to restock after your move.
   • You might also take inventory of new items you’ll need in your new space and go shopping for extra odds and ends.
4. 4
   Set up your utilities. If you scheduled a time for your utility providers to set up your services, make sure to touch base with them when you arrive. If your utilities were supposed to be set up before your arrival, check that you have running water and electricity. Set up your internet, or meet with your service provider to do any necessary maintenance.
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   Unpack the rest of your boxes in the following days. Once you’ve taken care of essentials on the first day after moving, Stevens-Heebner advises unpacking the rest of your boxes over the next day or so. She recommends inviting people over to help you out—listen to music and keep it upbeat, she adds.
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   Meet your neighbors. If you’re in a new place and don’t know anyone, it can be good to start introducing yourself to your neighbors. Say hi and tell them a bit about yourself, so they can start getting familiar with you. Some neighbors might even come introduce themselves after they see the moving trucks!
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   Treat yourself and relax! Moving is exhausting, so don’t forget to take some time for self-care. Once you’re unpacked, take some time to kick back and enjoy your new space. Treat yourself by ordering in or going out with friends—you’ve earned it.
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Section 7 of 7:

Frequently Asked Questions

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1. 1
   When should I start preparing to move? Ideally, you should start taking steps to prepare for your move at least 2 months in advance. Start planning transportation, scheduling service discontinuations, and decluttering your space several weeks before you move. Stevens-Heebner cautions against waiting until the last day to pack up your belongings.
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   Should I hire professional movers? It depends on your budget, but Stevens-Heebner strongly recommends hiring professionals. She says professional movers know what they’re doing and will help prevent your belongings from being damaged. If you’re on a smaller budget, you might consider renting a moving truck or asking friends and family for help.
3. 3
   How can I save money when I’m moving? To save money, you can donate and sell unneeded belongings to cut down on packing and transportation expenses. You can also take a DIY approach to moving by enlisting friends to help you out. Stevens-Heebner says reusing old boxes is another great way to save some extra money during a move.
4. 4
   How do I prevent damage to my belongings? To prevent damage, Stevens-Heebner says to give yourself enough time to pack in an organized manner. Make sure to take the time to wrap breakable items. She also advises hiring professional movers if it’s within your budget and wrapping furniture in moving blankets.
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