Moving guide
Your moving checklist
From lease notice to your first night in the new home
Tell us about your move below — we will surface deposit steps, address changes, utility timing, and moving day tasks that fit your situation. Check them off as you go, or print a section for your partner.
Get three mover quotes, not one
Prices change with demand. A quote far below the others is often a warning sign.
Do not shut off utilities too early
You still need power and water for final cleaning. Shut off on your last lease day, not before.
Book internet weeks ahead
Installers are often booked 2–4 weeks out. Schedule before move day so you are not offline your first week.
Photo every empty room
Date-stamped photos protect your deposit if the landlord claims damage later.
Must-do moving tasks
Quotes, utilities, address changes, deposits, and move day—these are the tasks most moves need. Your full checklist loads next.
- Get at least three moving quotes — compare price and reviews
- Book movers or truck rental once you have compared quotes
- Ask movers for a certificate of insurance (COI) if your building requires one
- Research street or loading-zone permits at your current address
- Research parking or permit rules at your new address
- Set a moving budget — deposit, overlap rent, movers, supplies
- Start decluttering — keep, donate, and trash piles
- Give written move-out notice (check your lease for days required)
- Request moving day off work — do not schedule meetings or appointments that day
- Read your new lease end-to-end before signing
- Confirm move date, crew arrival window, and payment method with movers
- Schedule USPS mail forwarding (allow 7–10 business days to start)
- Transfer prescriptions to a pharmacy near your new home
- Pick a box label system — room, contents, fragile
- Reserve freight elevator or loading dock with building management
- Book internet install at new address (often 2–4 weeks lead time)
- Agree in writing how roommates will split deposit and final bills
- Pack books, decor, and guest-room items
- Buy or transfer renters insurance for the new address
- Confirm utility and internet appointments at both addresses
- Pack bedroom except one week of clothes and bedding
- Defrost and clean freezer 24–48 hours before move day
- Eat, donate, or toss fridge perishables before loading
- Pack your first-night box separately (see First night tab)
- Confirm key pickup or lockbox code for the new home
- Unpack kitchen and bedroom first after arrival
- Re-read lease move-out rules — notice days, cleaning, key return
- Send move-out notice to landlord in writing (email is fine — keep a copy)
- Give landlord a written forwarding address for deposit return
- Pull your move-in photos to compare against move-out condition
- Photo/video every room empty — walls, floors, ceilings, closets
- Photo inside fridge, oven, dishwasher, and laundry machines
Packing clothes and boxes?
This page covers move-out deadlines, utilities, and address changes. For what to put in suitcases and boxes, use our trip packing tool. Open the packing list generator →
College dorm move-in?
Heading to a dorm? That is a different kind of move — shared bathrooms, bedding sizes, and what your school allows in the room. See our college dorm packing list → For notebooks and laptop gear, college school supplies list →
Back to school shopping?
K-12 families need a different checklist than dorm move-in — backpack, folders, and lunch box basics. Back to school supplies list →
Expecting a baby?
Hospital stays are a different kind of packing — car seat, labor bag, partner snacks, and what the nursery already stocks. See our hospital bag packing list →