Local Move Made Easy: A Complete Moving Checklist You Need

Planning a local move seems much easier than relocating long-distance. After all, your new home is just a short drive away, so you don't have to worry about cross-country logistics, right? Unfortunately, it's actually very stereotypical thinking which can play a trick on you. The truth is that the overall preparation for a local move is just as complex as a long-distance relocation, requiring almost the same amount of time and energy.

The number of pre-move tasks you need to handle before a local move is almost identical to the ones you’d have to tackle if you were moving to another city or abroad. For that reason, you're going to need a local moving checklist with step-by-step instructions on what to do in a certain period of time before the X-Day comes.

We've created such a comprehensive checklist to guide you through every stage of planning your local move and manage your time with maximum efficiency.

4 weeks before moving day

The earlier you start planning your move, the higher your chances of success and the lower the risk of forgetting something in a rush.

We've created a to-do list for tasks to complete a month before moving. If you have the time and opportunity, it’s better to start all the preparations two months in advance or even earlier.

Choose between hiring local movers or handling the move yourself

The first thing you need to do is to objectively assess your capabilities and make a balanced decision: can you organize the move on your own, or will you hire professional movers? Consider factors such as the size of your household items and the distance of the move.

If you handle the move by yourself, you save money, but waste a lot of time and physical labour. On the other hand, hiring local movers can streamline the process and ensure your belongings are carefully transported from point A to point B with no negative impact on their original state.

Of course, you may pay for the services of the moving company more than you would pay, if you did all the job alone. However, look at it from the other side: it’s better to pay specialists and get the job done efficiently than deal with unexpected problems, like scratched or damaged belongings, caused by your lack of relevant experience and skills in carrying different kinds of goods.

Reserve a truck with a rental company

If you’re confident in your abilities to handle the move yourself without professional help, it’s time to book a truck with a top-rated rental company.

Compare the rates and terms of different companies in your area, and pay attention to the choice of the right size vehicle. Additionally, clarify all details regarding the preferred day of your future move to ensure the vehicle availability for the occurrence of a predetermined date.

Hire a professional moving company

If you’ve never dealt with organizing a house move before, or simply prefer to trust responsible things to specialists with fundamental knowledge in a certain field, then it’s better to seek help from professionals.

We suggest you to get acquainted with the list of moving companies that can deal with all the difficulties of relocation, regardless of its distance and your individual requirements. On our platform, you can research the various services offered by the different companies and read testimonials from previous clients. We also propose a free estimation of the moving cost to let you plan your budget carefully.

Contact your landlord

Are you planning to move out of a rental property? In such event, you need to inform the landlord of your intention to vacate and make it at the earliest possible date. It guarantees that you receive your security deposit without objection from the second party. 

Make sure that the property is in the same condition as it was when you moved in. It will avoid any conflicts with your landlord and keep your reputation pristine.

Prepare packing supplies

The correct packaging with high-quality materials ensures the safe delivery of items at their destination, but it all comes down to cost.

Here you have a choice: you can either do the job by yourself or request professional movers to pack up all belongings.

• If the first option applies to you, then take care to buy supplies, including moving boxes and containers of different sizes, bubble wrap, moving blankets, foam cushioning, ropes, packing paper and tape. You also need to explore tutorials and learn how to pack up items more securely and effectively based on their dimensions and shapes.
• Second option is more expensive, but this is compensated by professionals' practical experience and knowledge. Specialists master the art of packing all kinds of furniture, household appliances, art objects, etc., allowing you to focus on other tasks at hand.

Get rid of the unnecessary

This is one of the most emotionally challenging, but important steps, which can bring the local moving price down. Many items in your home may hold warm memories of specific moments in your life. At the same time, the more things you need to move, the higher the overall cost of the process will be.

With this in mind, you should make an inventory of all belongings and decide what to keep and what can be sold, donated, or discarded. Just follow a simple rule: if you haven’t used an item for half a year or more, then with high probability you won’t need it in the future.

Start packing up your things

If you’ve decided to pack everything by yourself, start as early as possible. In the process, you’ll realize how labour-intensive it is, but a sufficient amount of time will become your ally in this difficult matter.

Begin with the hardest-to-pack rooms, like the basement, garage, and attic. You can also disassemble the individual pieces of furniture which you use least frequently.

3 weeks before moving day

Preparations are already underway for the biggest change in your life, but there are still so many other important things that need to be done.

Talk to your children about the move

Remember that the change of scenery carries an emotional load on the children, so you have to gently explain the reasons for the move, answer all questions, and address their concerns to help them adjust to the upcoming changes.

In case, your children won’t continue to attend the same school, make sure to arrange the transfer of the school records to the new place of study. This ensures that their academic progress continues without interruption.

Obtain medical records

Don't wait to see your family physician and request your medical records, including immunization records for each family member.

Your doctor may also recommend other reputable doctors, since you’ll need to register with a new healthcare provider at the location you’re moving to.

Notify service providers

Let all the companies that keep your current home functioning know about your move.

• Inform electricity, gas, water, and heating providers so they can disconnect services at your old address and transfer current utilities to the new place of residence.
• Update your new address with any subscription services like magazine deliveries or meal kit services.
• Contact internet and TV providers to schedule the installation of services at your new home.
• Don’t forget about other essential services such as trash collection or home security systems if they apply.

2 weeks before moving day

Half of the way is already done, but there’s still plenty to accomplish. Stay patient and keep up the momentum as you tackle the remaining tasks.

Change your address

Whether you’re moving just across the street or somewhere across the town, your postal address is going to change, and it’s essential to update the old address with the new one before relocation.

• Inform insurance providers, banks, and credit card companies about your new address to prevent misinformation.
• Share your new address with friends, family, and anyone who sends you personal mail. Such a friendly gesture helps to keep in touch with people you care about.

Pack all fragile items and rest of belongings

It's time to think about packing the remaining items, leaving only the most necessary.

• Usage of bubble wrap, packing paper, and sturdy boxes for packing up breakable items (glassware, cookware, ceramics, etc.) prevents unpleasant surprises upon arrival at the new place. Label these boxes as “Fragile” to alert movers or yourself to handle them with extra care.
• Break down the furniture as much as you can; clean and pack kitchen appliances. Clearly label each box with its contents, so you won’t forget what is inside.
• Fold and pack your seasonal clothing. You can use special wardrobe boxes that will prevent your clothes from getting wrinkled.

Take care of plants

Houseplants are usually on the list of items that moving companies aren’t allowed to transport. But there's good news too: you can personally transport some plants in your car, since it’s a local move.

If you don’t plan to take the plants with you, find them a new home.

1 week before moving day

You’re near your end goal, but don’t let yourself relax before it's time. There are still some urgent challenges that need to be tackled.

Prepare a box of essentials for each family member

Each box should contain essential items that will be needed immediately upon arrival. This includes toiletries, a change of clothes, pyjamas, medications, and a set of bed linens.

Place all important documents in a separate folder. Keeping them accessible prevents any delays or confusion during the move.

Get rid of leftover food

Take inventory of the food in your pantry, refrigerator, and freezer. Check expiration dates and decide what foodstuffs are still good to eat and which ones are better to dispose of.

Food that you definitely shouldn’t bring includes perishable goods like meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. Finally, unplug your refrigerator and defrost it.

Withdraw cash

It's wise to withdraw cash to ensure you have the funds you need for various expenses such as last-minute purchases or tips for movers. A little money in the pocket will provide a financial cushion for unplanned situations and give you peace of mind.

Moving day

Everything is done, and you’ve prepared thoroughly. While it’s impossible to avoid nervousness on such an important day, stick to the schedule you’ve created and try not to let your emotions take over.

Wake up early

Waking up at dawn gives a head start, allowing you to approach the day with a clear mind and ample time. It helps you tackle tasks efficiently and sets a positive tone for the busy day ahead.

Don’t hurry, make a cup of your favourite tea or coffee, and enjoy a good breakfast. This is the most effective way to maintain your energy throughout the entire day.

Load the moving vehicle

If you haven’t hired removalists, get the truck from the chosen rental company. Start loading with the largest and heaviest items, packing in tiers and securing them properly.

Begin with loading the front of the truck, and work your way towards the back. Pack belongings tight, like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, to prevent them from shifting or rubbing against each other during transport. Place boxes with essential items on top for easy access.

Welcome your local movers

When the movers arrive, give them a brief tour of your home and show the items and boxes that need to be loaded onto the truck. If necessary, protect the floors and sharp corners in the rooms from damage during the move of particularly heavy and bulky furniture.

Don’t hesitate to clarify details about the loading process. At the end, don’t forget to tip the movers — it's a rule of a good etiquette.

Make a final step towards your future

Once the movers have loaded up everything onto the truck and left to the final destination, take a moment to do a final inspection and ensure nothing has been forgotten. Carefully check each room. If there is any remaining furniture, make sure to look inside the drawers as well.

Finally, close all the windows and the front door. Now, you’re ready to move to your new home and turn over a new leaf!