How to prepare for a move:

Start a moving folder with your checklist, moving quotes, floor plan drafts, mover and home insurance records, and receipts for an after-tax deduction.

You can use any cheap folder, a binder, a physical file cabinet, or on Google Drive or another electronic file on your computer or your cell phone via Google Drive.

The day you move can affect prices. We recommend moving on a weekday choosing a weekday and avoiding busy days like the first or last weekend of the month.

Schedule mover parking and freight elevator dates and times at both locations.

List all items with quantities and exact sizing. You can use a computer or phone but do it electronically so the data can be quickly sent to movers for bidding. Include model names and serial numbers in case items are lost or broken.

Check to see if Your furniture fits your new home. If any items don’t fit, add them to the “sell” or “donate” list.

If your long-distance move requires shipping your car, you may need to drop it off early. Before then, clean it out thoroughly. Don’t leave any valuables inside.

Request time off from work and inform the payroll department of your new address, so paychecks coincide with your moving date. Update your children’s schools and request school records. Include days off before and after your moving day.

Many apartment leases require a 30-day notice, but some are longer. Inform them now to avoid paying additional rent. During the call, make special arrangements to meet during your moveout day for a final walkthrough and provide keys.

Your packing schedule should start now and continue through to the day before your move. When beginning the packing process, pack items from the furthest corners of the home first. Start packing items you won’t use immediately, like seasonal items, books, holiday decorations, and other non-essential items.

Mark each box of items with the room they will go in and what items are inside. Mark fragile items. Pack computers, appliances, and appliance manuals in their original boxes if you have them, or use sure bubble wrap or packing peanuts.

If you will fly to your new home, buy tickets early for maximum savings. If it’s a multi-day journey, book hotels (AAA offers low rates) or Airbnbs and make other travel arrangements. Factor in pets.

If necessary, make an appointment at the DMV in your new state. Some destinations require new driver’s licenses within ten days of arriving, and you may need to schedule an appointment in advance.

Set up disconnect and reconnect dates for cable, internet, gas, water, electricity, and house phone lines. Additionally, update the insurance agent attached to your home insurance, health insurance, and auto insurance policy, etc., as well as all service providers, such as your home security, pest-control, house-cleaning, your cell phone company, and lawn-care companies. Be sure to also change your address and voter registration through the USPS website’s address form.

Update your address on all subscriptions and online accounts. Make address changes for any items that will arrive after your move and update all credit cards, so bills and payments correspond to the new address upon arrival.

If you change banks, some fund transfers and new checks can take a few weeks, so plan early.

While you pack, do touchups to get your entire security deposit back. Ask your property manager if there are other moving day requirements.

Begin a conversation with your kids about moving and the feelings they might experience. Give them time to say goodbye to their friends at their current school, as well as return any library books.

Consider scheduling a sitter to make your moving day easier for you, your kids, and your pet kids.

Return any borrowed items, retrieve any you loaned, and ask for any moving help now, so they have plenty of notice.

In between work, please read our blog and city guides for resources that help you get settled. Make a list of emergency numbers for your new neighborhood.

If driving your car a long distance, take it in for service – tires, oil, the works.

Do a deep clean to avoid cleaning service fees, and pay attention to areas you tend to overlook, like windows and floorboards. Bathrooms, kitchens, and major appliances you don’t own should get a thorough scrub down and clear slow drains. Magic erasers work great on scuff marks.

Think of fun games or activities that will keep your kids occupied during the unpacking process, or give each child personal tasks with rewards. Bonus points if you can get them to help move!

When packing, aside clothing and toiletries to fill in a suitcase and have a few plates and utensils on hand for any final meals.

Donate any food you won’t be able to use.

Give friends and neighbors a chance to say goodbye. They may even have advice for living in your new location.

Make sure that nothing needs attention, and all maintenance that was agreed upon was completed. If there are issues, take pictures while the rooms are empty to avoid questions of if issues were due to the moving process.

Unpack perishables and fragile items to spot breakage. If anything's broken, get in touch.

Hopefully, the previous owners did a deep cleaning before moving out, but it doesn’t hurt to give kitchen and bathroom surfaces a once-over.

Time to restock and go grocery shopping. Start with the essentials and pick up easy-to-prepare meals or order in for the first day or two so you have more time to unpack.

Organize keys and set up your security system for additional security.

Make copies or house and mailbox keys, and include copies for a friend, neighbor, or someone else you trust.