Whether it’s your first move or tenth, boxing up your entire life in anticipation of a new chapter can feel seriously daunting. And as if getting ready for the move was stressful enough, moving day itself can offer plenty of curveballs of its own. Fortunately, we’ve got you covered with essential moving day tips for an efficient, streamlined experience. So, take a deep breath and let’s jump in!
First on the Checklist: What To Do Before Moving Day
A successful moving day checklist should start about 12 weeks before the actual move. Staying proactive and organized will smooth out the whole process, so you’ll be right on track come moving day instead of scrambling to tie up loose ends at the last minute.
A successful moving day checklist should start about 12 weeks before the actual move. Staying proactive and organized will smooth out the whole process, so you’ll be right on track come moving day instead of scrambling to tie up loose ends at the last minute.
Follow these tips to reduce moving day stress, and use our comprehensive moving checklist as a resource each step of the way.
Create a binder for all your critical documents (e.g., birth certificates, insurance policies, change of address forms, moving quote estimates, receipts, etc.).
Determine a budget for your move. Include the packing materials, professional moving services, travel expenses, and an extra buffer for unforeseen costs.
Complete an inventory of all the items in your home (e.g., furniture, décor, tools, electronics, valuables, clothes, equipment, books, collectibles, etc.).
Declutter your home to reduce boxes and lighten the truck load. Scope out each room and either sell, donate, or toss out items you no longer need.
Hire a moving company to load all your items onto the truck and transport them to your new home. Ideally, get a price quote from at least three companies.
Collect packing materials you’ll need (e.g., boxes, tape, scissors, markers, bubble wrap, foam sleeves, parchment, moving cords or straps, etc.).
Pack non-essential items, starting in the rooms you use the least often (e.g., attic, basement, or guest bedroom). If you won’t need it before the move, box it up.
Alert service providers (e.g., internet, cable, electricity, HVAC, etc.) that you’ll be moving. Schedule a time to disconnect and transfer utilities to your new home.
Research your new home and its surroundings. This will help familiarize you with healthcare facilities, schools, local activities, organizations, and other services.
Make travel arrangements if the move is long-distance. Book a hotel room or contact someone you know along the route to see if you can crash with them.
Update your new address with essential agencies (e.g., banks or investment firms, credit card companies, government offices, insurers, postal carriers, etc.).
Inspect your car to make sure it can handle the trip. Schedule routine maintenance like an oil change, tire rotation, or systems check before hitting the road.
Obtain family medical records, academic transcripts, or other documents you’ll need to help transition into a new school and healthcare provider.
Finish packing your items, except for the basic necessities you’ll need to access. Inform the movers of specialty items such as billiards tables or pianos.
Confirm your moving details, including the date, time of arrival, contact information, final cost breakdown, and other logistics with the movers to minimize any unexpected issues.
13 Moving Day Tips to Reduce Moving Day Stress
Now that you know what you’ll need to get done in those 12 weeks ahead of the big day, let’s turn our attention to the move itself.
The key to a smooth moving day is to establish a concrete plan, then stick with it. Here are 13 simple but effective moving day tips to manage stress and set the tone for a positive transition, whether in a new ZIP code or across the whole country.
1. Wake up early and eat a hearty breakfast
As obvious as this might sound, one of the most crucial tips to reduce moving day stress is to make sure you feel energized. Aim for at least 8 hours of sleep the night before, so you can wake up refreshed to get an early start. Also, don’t forget to eat breakfast! You’ll need fuel to stay full for hours as you dive into the rest of this moving day checklist.
2. Dress for comfort and ease of movement
Even if you hire full-service movers, you’ll want to dress for manual labor. Wear comfortable and breathable clothing that won’t restrict your movements. Think closed-toe shoes, a loose long-sleeved shirt, moisture-wicking pants, non-slip gloves to lift heavy objects, and a bandana to wipe the sweat off your face.
3. Have a plan for your kids and/or pets
If you have children or pets, ask a friend or family member to keep them occupied outside the house while you’re loading up the truck. If this isn’t an option, you can also designate a safe area for them apart from all the moving day action (for instance, a room that’s already been emptied). Fill the space with their favorite toys and other comforting, familiar objects.
4. Keep the utilities on while you’re moving
Sometimes moving out takes longer than you might expect, and the last thing you need is for the lights to shut off as you lift heavy boxes. To avoid this hassle, allow for a buffer when disconnecting the utilities, then plan ahead to make sure those utilities seamlessly activate in time at your new home.
5. Pack the final boxes with essential items
This might come as a surprise — after all, we just told you to do the packing in advance — but some items will need to be boxed up on moving day. Take beds, for example. Disassemble bed frames (and store small pieces in a ziploc bag taped to the frame), then pack your bed linens and place the mattresses and box springs in durable mattress covers, labeled with the corresponding room.
Next, pack an “essentials box” with items you’ll need before the truck delivers the rest of your haul to its new destination. Think a coffee pot, medications, vitamins, snacks, toiletries, extra clothes, towels, pillows, and blankets. Include a few household cleaners as well, so you can do one final wipe-down before leaving the house.
6. Set aside what you don’t want packed in the truck
If you plan to bring some items with you in the car or plane, set them aside in a separate room from the rest of your boxes. Clearly label the door to this room “off limits,” so the movers won’t accidentally load those boxes onto the truck.
7. Be present and accessible to the movers
Make yourself available at all times during this process to oversee the loading and answer any questions the movers might have. Use the inventory list you created while packing (see the pre-moving day tips above) to track what’s already on the truck and what’s still in the house. This will ensure none of your boxes get left behind in the shuffle.
8. Do a clean sweep as you clear each room
Chances are, you won’t have time for a deep clean, but it’s common courtesy to leave the space move-in ready for the next residents. Once a room has been cleared out, wipe down all the surfaces, dust the ceiling fans and baseboards, vacuum and sweep the floors, and remove any noticeable stains. Then, once you’re done, box up the cleaning supplies and ideally stash them in your car to make sure you have them on hand when you arrive at your new place.
9. Make sure everyone has food and water
From loading the truck to boxing up loose items to cleaning, moving requires a ton of manual labor. It’s important to make sure everyone can snack and hydrate whenever they need throughout the day. Pack a cooler with water and electrolyte drinks for movers to access at their own convenience, and set out food that’s both substantial and easy to consume on the go, such as pizza, sandwiches, wraps, fruit, and granola bars.
10. Conduct a final walkthrough of the space
After the last box is securely on the truck, do one more thorough walkthrough of each room. Open every closet, drawer, cabinet, and storage area to make sure nothing has been left behind. Then, head out to the truck again. Finally, load your essentials boxes into your car.
11. Have some cash on hand to tip the movers
Tipping movers isn’t required, but it is common etiquette and will likely be expected. You’ll want to earmark some cash for this; after all, they spent hours lifting boxes, furniture, and other heavy items. You can calculate the tip based on several factors such as the total cost, number of movers, and the amount of time the job took. A good tip would be $5–$10 per hour of work for each mover, or a flat 10–20 percent of your final bill.
12. Take pictures of the interior once it’s empty
If you’ve been renting a house or apartment, don’t forget this crucial but often-overlooked moving day tip. Set aside a few minutes to document each room, so you can show the landlord that you’ve left the space clean and well-maintained. Hopefully, this photo evidence will increase your chances of being reimbursed for the initial security deposit.
13. Leave your house keys for the next residents
Before hitting the road for your new home, don’t forget to leave the keys for the next occupants of your old home. If it’s a rental, all you have to do is return those keys to the landlord or leasing office. If it’s a house you sold, leave them with your real estate agent or title company to hand off to the new homeowners. It would be a shame (and a serious inconvenience for all parties) to have to mail the keys later on. We know, you have a lot to take care of, but failing to return the keys is a classic example of what not to do on moving day.
Make Colonial Van Lines Part of Your Moving Day Checklist
Our final moving day tip is to hire a professional, reliable moving company to take care of the heavy lifting. With over 50 years of experience, Colonial Van Lines will handle each step of your move with utmost care — from packing the boxes and loading the truck, to transporting your items and unloading them in your new home. Contact us for a free quote, and replace that moving day stress with confidence and peace of mind!