Moving shouldn't be a headache, and most of the headache comes from things that get remembered too late: the utilities, the elevator reservation, the box with the bed bolts in it. This is the same checklist we give our own customers.
Print it, stick it on the fridge and check things off as you go. Hit the print button and it comes out clean on paper.
8 weeks before
- Pick your moving date (mid-month is easier to book than the 1st or 30th)
- Get 2–3 upfront quotes and ask each mover what could change the price
- Start a moving folder for quotes, leases, receipts and closing papers
- Walk through every room and decide what's not coming with you
- Book junk removal or schedule donation pickups for the stuff that's going
4 weeks before
- Book your movers and get your price in writing
- Ask your HOA or building about move hours, elevator reservations and insurance paperwork
- Order boxes, tape, markers and packing paper
- Start packing rooms you rarely use: guest room, garage, closets
- Submit a USPS change of address
- Schedule utilities: NV Energy, Southwest Gas, water, internet. Start at the new place, stop at the old one
1 week before
- Confirm your mover's arrival time and give them gate codes or parking notes
- Pack everything but the essentials. Label each box with the room it goes to
- Pack an overnight bag: chargers, meds, toiletries, a change of clothes
- Defrost and clean the fridge if it's moving
- Take photos of how your electronics are wired
- Measure big furniture and the doorways at the new place
The day before
- Strip the beds and bag the bedding
- Set aside a "do not load" zone for valuables, documents and your overnight bag
- Charge your phone. Your mover will call when they're on the way
- Reserve a parking spot or clear the driveway for the truck
- In summer: fill a cooler with water for everyone
Moving day
- Do a walk-through with the crew lead: what's going, what's fragile, what's staying
- Keep kids and pets in one closed room or with a sitter
- Check every room, closet, cabinet and the garage before the truck leaves
- At the new place, point the crew to each room
- Make sure beds and tables are put back together before the crew leaves
- Check that the final price matches your quote
First week in your new home
- Unpack the kitchen and bedrooms first
- Change the locks and garage codes
- Update your address with the DMV (Nevada gives new residents 30 days), banks and insurance
- Book a pickup for empty boxes and anything that didn't fit
Helpful links
- USPS change of address (opens in a new tab)Forward your mail. Do it at least two weeks out.https://www.usps.com/manage/forward.htm
- NV Energy (opens in a new tab)Start, stop or transfer electric service.https://www.nvenergy.com/
- Southwest Gas (opens in a new tab)Start or stop gas service.https://www.swgas.com/
- Nevada DMV: new residents (opens in a new tab)License and registration rules if you're new to Nevada.https://dmv.nv.gov/newresident.htm
