The Ultimate Moving Guide:
Checklists, Timelines & Expert Tips to Help You Move in Six Weeks
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Your Complete Moving Timeline & Packing Plan
Every year, we help hundreds of people rent dumpsters to get rid of junk before moving.
During peak moving season, one of our sales guys joked that he could fill a moving van with all the questions he got about relocating to a new home — we all laughed, then noodled on it some more.
Instead of letting all those questions go to waste, we decided to write a detailed moving checklist with answers to all of your moving questions to help you through this big transition in your life.
Ready to start your moving plan? Find detailed checklists for hiring movers, decluttering, packing and more below.
Professional Moving Tips: An Incredibly Detailed List for Your Move
Getting ready to move can be a stressful time, whether it's the next neighborhood over or a cross-country relocation. So, not only did we collect our own tips and tricks, but we also interviewed moving experts for professional advice. We talked to home organizers, moving companies and more to determine what to pack, what to toss and how to make it all happen on schedule.
Keep our week-by-week moving timeline at your fingertips as you pack — bookmark it, print it, pin it or share it. That way, you’ll always have our moving to-do list as a trusty sidekick to battle the move box-by-box.
Download Our Free Moving Checklist PDF & Box Labels
To make things as easy as possible, we created a PDF version of our to-moving checklists and designed some box labels to accompany our online moving timeline. Print the week-by-week moving checklists and packing labels to stay on schedule during the relocation process — especially after your computers are packed!
Moving Timeline FAQs
What should be on my moving checklist?
A detailed moving plan includes a packing checklist for every room of your home, including the garage, basement and attic. Before that, you'll also want a to-do list to prepare for your move, complete with steps like hiring a moving company, decluttering your belongings and collecting packing supplies.
What do I need to do before moving?
Before you move, we recommend scheduling a week to declutter. Get rid of anything you won't need in your new home, including old furniture or dated appliances. Depending on the condition and the distance you're moving, it's often more efficient to purchase new items for the home instead of spending money to move the old ones.
What order should I pack for a move?
Start by focusing on the least-used rooms and items in your home, such as tools in the garage or spare linens in your hall closet. In the weeks closer to your move-out date, you can pack essential items like cooking utensils, clothing and electronics.
What should I do 30 days before moving?
A month before your move, you should start researching moving companies. Ask your friends for recommendations, read online reviews, and gather several estimates from reputable movers in your area. When you find a company you like, get on their schedule ASAP to ensure everything goes according to plan on moving day.
Need Inspiration for Your New Home?
The Dumpsters.com Blog offers a variety of project tutorials, disposal tips and more to help you tackle any job around the house.