The Complete Moving Checklist

This is your planning week. Confirm building rules, elevator and insurance requirements, and any parking permits early, then map out your timeline and budget. Our guide on building a realistic moving timeline walks through it step by step. If your closing and move-out dates may not line up, ask about storage between homes now.

Speak with building management at both addresses about moving policies Confirm move-in and move-out times, elevator reservations, and COI requirements If renting, give written notice to your landlord and schedule the move-out walkthrough If HOA or condo, notify the association about move rules and truck access Check parking permit requirements for moving trucks at both addresses Create a timeline for decluttering, packing, and moving day details Decide what to move, donate, sell, or put in storage Set a moving budget including packing materials, tips, and first-month costs Start a moving folder for estimates, receipts, and building paperwork

Time to choose your mover. Get written estimates, verify licensing, and read what each estimate covers before you compare numbers. A non-binding quote and a written not-to-exceed quote are not the same thing. You can request a free written quote from Evolution, and if you are leaving the state, read how our long distance moving is priced.

Request written estimates from at least three moving companies Verify each mover’s USDOT number on the FMCSA SAFER database Confirm whether each estimate is binding, not-to-exceed, or non-binding Ask whether the company is a carrier or a broker Schedule a video or in-home survey so the inventory is accurate Compare what is included: truck, fuel, wrapping, stairs, long carry, and tolls Review valuation options and decide on released value or full value protection Book your moving date and get written confirmation If moving for work, confirm what your employer’s relocation policy reimburses

Declutter before you pack. Every box you do not move is money you do not spend. Start a moving inventory list as you sort, and if you are moving a parent to a smaller home, our downsizing tips for seniors can help.

Go room by room and sort into keep, donate, sell, and discard Schedule donation pickups or drop-offs List higher-value items for sale with enough lead time to actually sell Dispose of hazardous materials: paint, propane, aerosols, fuel, and fireworks Order packing supplies or confirm your mover is bringing them Start packing off-season clothing, decor, books, and rarely used items Photograph the serial numbers and condition of electronics and high-value items Create an inventory of what is going on the truck Measure large furniture against doorways and stairwells at the new place

Paperwork week. Address changes, records, and utilities take longer than people expect, and a missed transfer means a dark house on arrival. Moving with children? See our tips on choosing the right school before you request records.

File a change of address with USPS Update your address with banks, insurance, employer, and subscriptions Schedule utility disconnection at the old address for the day after you leave Schedule utility connection at the new address for the day before you arrive Transfer or set up internet and confirm the installation date Request medical, dental, veterinary, and school records Notify your insurance agent about the move for home, renters, and auto policies Arrange care for pets and young children on move day If moving out of state, research driver license and vehicle registration deadlines

Packing gets serious. Label every box by destination room, not by contents, so the crew can place it without asking. Use our guides on packing fragile items and packing clothes, or book our professional packing service and skip the tape gun.

Pack room by room, labeling each box with the destination room and a number Mark fragile boxes clearly on the top and at least two sides Keep hardware, screws, and remotes in labeled bags taped to the item Back up computers and important files Confirm your moving date, arrival window, and crew size with your coordinator Request a certificate of insurance for both buildings if required Plan travel: flights, hotels, or the drive route and overnight stops Use up frozen and perishable food Service or prepare any vehicles being shipped

Final confirmations. This is the week to catch anything that would become a problem at 8 a.m. on move day. If your building needs a certificate of insurance, request it from our team now so it arrives on time.

Confirm parking, elevator reservations, and dock windows at both addresses Reconfirm the arrival window and the crew’s contact on the day Pack an essentials box for the first 24 hours in the new home Set aside valuables, documents, jewelry, and medication to travel with you Empty, defrost, and dry the refrigerator and freezer Disassemble anything the crew is not handling Return library books, rented equipment, and anything borrowed Pick up dry cleaning and prescriptions Withdraw cash for tips if you plan to tip in cash

Almost everything should be in a box by now. What is left is the detail work. Busy parents can lean on our packing tips for busy moms, and our guide on involving kids in packing keeps little helpers busy.

Finish packing everything except the essentials box and bedding Clean as rooms empty out so the final clean is small Confirm the babysitter, pet sitter, or boarding arrangements Charge phones, laptops, and power banks Print or save your estimate, bill of lading, and coordinator’s number Confirm payment method and the amount due on delivery Take photos of the old home’s condition after packing Set aside cleaning supplies you will need after the truck leaves

Walk the property with the crew before they start and again before they leave. Ten minutes at each end prevents almost every dispute. Here is what to expect from our local movers on the day.

Walk through the home with the crew lead and point out fragile or excluded items Confirm the inventory list and the bill of lading before signing anything Keep the essentials box, valuables, and documents with you, not on the truck Protect floors, doorways, and railings, or confirm the crew has Keep pets and small children in a closed room or off site Do a final walkthrough of every closet, cabinet, attic, and garage Take meter readings and final photos of the empty home Lock up, turn in keys, garage remotes, and access fobs Confirm the delivery window or date before the truck pulls away

Direct the crew as they unload. Where a box lands now is where you will be unpacking it later.

Be present, or send someone authorized to sign on your behalf Confirm building access, elevator reservation, and parking before the truck arrives Direct furniture placement room by room as items come off the truck Check items against the inventory as they are unloaded Note any damage or missing items on the paperwork before signing Have the crew reassemble what they disassembled Test appliances, electronics, and utilities Settle payment and tip the crew if you choose to

Unpack in the order you actually live: beds, bathroom, kitchen, then everything else. Our new home cleaning guide helps you start fresh, and if you are new to the state, read up on the cost of living in Texas.

Unpack the essentials box, then bedrooms, bathrooms, and the kitchen Break down cartons and arrange debris removal or recycling Locate the breaker panel, water shutoff, and HVAC filters Change the locks and test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors Register the vehicle and update the driver license if you changed states Register children for school and transfer records Find a local doctor, dentist, and veterinarian Update your voter registration File any claim for damage within the carrier’s stated window Leave a review for your movers while the details are fresh