Moving Day Checklist: 30 Days Out, 7 Days Out, Day Of

Moves go better with a checklist. Not because the checklist is magic, but because the people who run their move on a checklist do not forget the small steps that quietly add up. Forgetting to forward mail, change utility accounts, label boxes by room, or set aside a "first night" essentials box can each become its own logistical headache that adds days to settling in.

I worked twelve years on moving trucks and watched four hundred-plus customers run their moves with various levels of preparedness. The well-organized customers were not necessarily more sophisticated; they had often just used a checklist and run through it once. The disorganized ones had been winging it from a generic article online or just trying to remember what their friend told them.

What follows is the practical countdown. Day-by-day, week-by-week, organized by when each task should happen. This is the version I would hand a customer who asked me what to actually do.

30 days before the move

The big-decision phase. Most of the structural work happens here.

Confirm and sign with your moving company.

• Three quotes received and compared
• Vetted via the seven questions and the red-flag list
• Binding or binding-not-to-exceed contract signed
• Deposit paid

Schedule your move-out and move-in dates.

• If renting at origin: confirm move-out date with landlord, schedule final walk-through
• If renting at destination: confirm lease start, key handoff, building rules for moving day (some buildings require advance scheduling for elevator use)
• If owning: closing dates aligned with the move

Start the disposal pass.

• Walk through every room and identify what is not coming
• Sell on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or local consignment
• Donate to Goodwill, Salvation Army, or a local nonprofit (get receipts for tax purposes)
• Schedule large-item pickup for items you cannot move yourself

Order packing supplies if self-packing.

• Boxes (small, medium, large, extra-large)
• Tape, packing paper, bubble wrap
• Specialty (dish packs, wardrobe boxes, mattress bags)
• Markers and labels

Notify the IRS of your address change (if applicable) and update employer records.

Notify your homeowner's or renter's insurance carrier. Confirm coverage during transit. Update the policy address with the effective date.

Schedule utility transfers at origin.

• Electric, gas, water, internet, cable, trash collection
• Most utilities require 5-15 business days notice for transfers
• Get final-bill estimates for the move-out date

Schedule utility setup at destination.

• Same list as above
• Internet often requires the longest lead time; book early to avoid arriving without service

File USPS change of address.

• Online at usps.com or in person at any post office
• Mail forwarding for 6-12 months as a safety net

14 days before the move

The packing-prep phase.

Start packing non-essentials.

• Books, decor, off-season clothing, art, holiday decorations
• Anything you will not need in the next two weeks
• Label every box: room, contents (general), fragile flag

Update accounts and subscriptions.

• Bank, credit cards, retirement accounts
• Subscriptions (streaming, magazines, gym memberships)
• Online retailers (Amazon, others) where you have saved addresses
• Delivery services where you have a default address

Organize important documents.

• Birth certificates, passports, social security cards, marriage license
• Pet vaccination records (especially if traveling)
• Vehicle titles and registration
• Tax records
• These should travel with you, not in the moving truck

Schedule travel for moving day.

• If flying to destination: book flights for the right dates relative to delivery window
• If driving: plan route, identify lodging, check vehicle for road trip readiness
• Pet logistics if you have pets

Notify schools and providers.

• If kids are changing schools: arrange transcript transfer
• Doctors, dentists, vets: request medical records be sent or provide forwarding info to new provider
• Pharmacy: transfer prescriptions

Coordinate with the moving company.

• Confirm pickup date and arrival window
• Confirm delivery window
• Provide both origin and destination addresses with detailed directions
• Provide cell phone numbers for both

7 days before the move

The final-pack-and-prep phase.

Pack everything except essentials.

• The "first night" box stays open: see below
• The day-of toolkit stays open: see below
• Everything else should be in boxes or pre-staged for the crew

Defrost and clean the freezer. The mover will not transport food. Freezer needs to be empty and dry by pickup.

Disconnect appliances if you are taking them.

• Refrigerator: defrost 24-48 hours before, clean
• Washer/dryer: water lines disconnected, drum secured
• Dishwasher: water line disconnected
• Some movers will do this for an additional fee; confirm in advance

Disassemble furniture if requested.

• Some movers disassemble at no additional cost; some charge for it; some will not do it at all
• Confirm in the contract; if you are doing it yourself, do it now

Drain fluids from outdoor equipment.

• Lawn mowers, snow blowers, generators
• Movers will not transport fueled equipment

Pack the day-of toolkit.

• Box cutter or scissors
• Phone charger
• Cleaning supplies (paper towels, multi-surface spray)
• Toilet paper and hand soap
• A few basic tools (screwdriver, hammer, allen wrench set)
• Sealable plastic bags for hardware from disassembled furniture
• Keep this toolkit accessible at both origin and destination

Pack the first-night essentials box.

• Toothbrushes, toiletries, prescription medications
• One change of clothes per person
• Pajamas
• Towels and washcloths
• Bedding (or sleeping bags if mattresses arrive later)
• Phone chargers
• Snacks and water
• Pet food and water bowls if applicable
• This box rides with you, not on the truck

Confirm the moving company's contact info.

• Crew chief name and cell number
• Dispatcher number
• Insurance carrier contact

Take photos of valuable or fragile items. Documentation in case of damage.

2-3 days before the move

The staging phase.

Confirm all final logistics.

• Confirmed pickup time with moving company
• Confirmed delivery window
• Confirmed travel plans (flights, driving route, lodging)
• Confirmed key handoff at destination

Withdraw cash for tipping.

• Pickup crew tip: $50-$100 per crew member for long-distance moves
• Delivery crew tip: same range
• Local moves: $20-$80 per crew member depending on duration
• See How Much to Tip Movers for the full breakdown

Prepare a moving-day food plan.

• Order pizza or sandwiches for the crew if it will be a long day
• Have water, sports drinks, and snacks ready

Clear the path for the crew.

• Pets boarded or in a closed room
• Children with grandparents, friends, or in a closed room with entertainment
• Walkways clear of furniture and clutter

Pack a small valuables-only bag.

• Jewelry, important documents, irreplaceable items
• This bag travels with you, not on the truck

Day of the move

Wake early. The crew often arrives at the early end of their window.

Quick inventory walk-through with the crew chief.

• Show every room they need to load
• Point out any items that need special handling
• Identify items that are not going (final-disposal pile, items already moved separately)
• Walk through any high-value items (already on the high-value inventory)

Read the bill of lading carefully before signing.

• Pickup date and delivery window match the contract
• Binding/non-binding match the contract
• Liability coverage matches what you selected
• Any additional charges flagged here, or added to the inventory list, are subject to your authorization

Stay on-site during loading. Do not leave the crew alone. They will work professionally either way; your presence affects the small details.

Tip the crew at the end of loading. Cash, handed to the crew chief.

Do a final walk-through after the truck leaves.

• All rooms empty
• All closets empty
• Kitchen cabinets and drawers empty
• Bathrooms empty
• Garage empty
• Outdoor sheds empty
• Any items left behind that should have gone? (Common: things in the back of closets, items in the basement, things in the freezer)

Clean per the lease or sale agreement. Most rentals require a clean turnover; many sale contracts do as well.

Lock up. Close windows, lock doors, set the thermostat (per agreement with new owner or landlord), turn off the water if leaving the property unoccupied.

Begin your travel to the destination.

Day of delivery

Be at the destination ahead of the delivery window. The truck may arrive at the early end.

Inventory check at delivery.

• Each item is checked off the inventory list as it comes off the truck
• Note any damage immediately
• Note any missing items immediately
• Get the crew chief's signature acknowledging any damage or missing items

Place items as they are unloaded. Direct the crew on which room each box and piece of furniture goes in. Boxes labeled by room make this efficient.

Tip the delivery crew at the end of unloading. Same range as pickup.

Sign the bill of lading at delivery.

• Acknowledges delivery
• Triggers the claim window for any damage or loss
• File any claims promptly per the contract terms

Within 30 days after the move

File any damage or loss claims. Most contracts have a 30-60 day window. The federal limit is 9 months but most movers contract tighter.

Update remaining records with the new address. Driver's license, voter registration, vehicle registration in the new state.

Verify utility transfers and address updates went through. Following up on a few details that may need a second push.

Settle into the new place. Unpack at a sustainable pace. The first-night box gives you 24-48 hours of breathing room before the rest needs to be unboxed.

What I tell people who ask me

The customers who used a checklist like the one above had moves that ran cleanly. The customers who did not had moves that were full of small surprises. The work of the checklist is not difficult; the work of forgetting items because there was no checklist is significant.

Print this list or save it somewhere you can reference. Check off as you go. The day-of stress is much lower when the lead-up has been organized.

Further reading

For the broader move-decision framework, see Hire Movers vs DIY: The Real Math. For the cost framework, see Moving Cost Calculator: What Long-Distance Actually Costs in 2026. For tipping specifics, see How Much to Tip Movers (And When).

The FMCSA's "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move" is the federal consumer-protection guide and pairs well with this checklist.