A good moving checklist spreads the work over eight weeks so nothing is left for the last night. This one is built around the hardest part of most moves: the furniture. It covers what to do each week, how to decide what to take, and what to do on moving day and after you arrive.
Moving Checklist Timeline
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 8 weeks before | Set a budget, get mover or truck quotes, start a moving folder, measure the new home |
| 6 weeks before | Declutter room by room; decide which furniture goes, sells or is donated |
| 4 weeks before | Book movers or a truck, order supplies, start packing rarely used rooms |
| 2 weeks before | Change your address, transfer utilities, confirm elevator and parking bookings |
| 1 week before | Pack most rooms, take furniture apart, label hardware, defrost the freezer |
| Moving day | Protect floors and doorways, load heavy furniture first, do a final walk-through |
| First week after | Place and reassemble furniture, anchor tall pieces, unpack by room |
8 Weeks Before: Plan and Measure
- Get at least three written quotes if you're hiring movers.
- Measure the new home's doors, hallways, stairs and elevator.
- Measure your largest furniture and compare; see how to measure furniture for delivery and how to measure a sofa.
- Sketch where the big pieces will go in each room.
6 Weeks Before: Decide What Moves
Every piece you don't move saves time and space. Sort furniture into keep, sell, donate and dispose. Worn or unstable pieces are rarely worth the cost of moving; see how long furniture lasts and how to get rid of old furniture.
4 Weeks Before: Supplies and First Boxes
- Boxes in a few sizes, packing paper, bubble wrap and tape.
- Moving blankets, stretch wrap, corner protectors and mattress or sofa covers.
- Zip bags and a marker for hardware.
- Furniture sliders, a dolly and lifting straps.
Start with books, decor, off-season clothes and spare-room items. See how to pack furniture for moving.
1 Week Before: Take Furniture Apart
Large or heavy pieces are easier and safer to move in parts. Check the weight and size on the product page or manual before you plan the lift:
- The Wood Bookcase with Mesh Doors, Drawers and Open Shelving lists a product weight of 242.5 lbs and ships in three packages.
- The Orbis Rounded Edge Sideboard – Oak is 86.6" wide and lists 203 lbs.
- The Tela Compact Wardrobe is 77.1" high, which matters for stairwells and door frames.
See how to disassemble furniture for moving.
Moving Day
- Lay floor protection and pad door frames.
- Clear the path and prop doors open.
- Load the heaviest furniture first, against the front wall of the truck.
- Stand mirrors, glass and table tops on edge between soft items.
- Keep hardware bags, tools and manuals in one clearly marked box.
- Photograph meter readings and do a final walk-through.
See how to move heavy furniture and how to protect hardwood floors.
After the Move
- Place large furniture before unpacking boxes.
- Reassemble with the labeled hardware; see how to assemble flat-pack furniture.
- Anchor tall bookcases, wardrobes and dressers; see how to anchor furniture to the wall.
- Check for damage and tighten every fastener.
- Unpack kitchen and bedrooms first; see our new home unpacking blueprint.
Furniture going into storage first? See how to store furniture. Setting up your first place? See our first apartment checklist.
FAQ
When should I start packing for a move?
About four weeks before, starting with things you rarely use. Leave daily essentials for the last few days.
What should be moved first?
Large, heavy furniture goes on the truck first and into rooms first, followed by boxes.
Should I empty dresser drawers before moving?
Yes for heavy, fragile or loose items. Emptying drawers makes the piece lighter and protects the drawer slides.
What should I not pack in the moving truck?
Documents, valuables, medicines, and flammable or perishable items. Keep them with you.