01
6–8 weeks before: reduce what you are moving
Before buying boxes, decide what is worth transporting. Moving is one of the few times every object has to justify the effort of packing, carrying and finding a new home.
- Walk room by room and mark donate, sell, recycle and keep
- Measure large furniture against the new space
- Create one moving folder for quotes, receipts and confirmations
- Reserve movers, truck or helpers if your date is fixed
- Start using frozen and pantry food you do not want to move
02
3–5 weeks before: pack by frequency of use
Pack the things you use least first rather than packing an entire room just because it is convenient. Seasonal clothing, books, decor, guest-room items and extra kitchenware can usually go early without affecting daily life.
- Label every box with room and short contents
- Keep hardware from disassembled furniture in labeled bags
- Photograph cable setups before unplugging electronics
- Create a running list of boxes that contain valuables or fragile items
03
1–2 weeks before: handle the admin work
This is when service transfers and address updates become real. Put confirmation numbers and activation dates in one place so you are not searching email on moving day.
- Electric, gas and water transfer dates
- Internet installation or transfer
- USPS mail forwarding
- Insurance address change
- Bank, employer, subscriptions and delivery accounts
- Medication refills and pet records if needed
04
Final 48 hours: stop packing normal life
The last two days should be about moving, not searching for toothpaste, chargers or clean clothes. Pack a first-night bag for each person and one clearly marked household essentials box.
Practical checklist
Keep this part simple.
- First-night clothing and toiletries
- Chargers and basic electronics
- Medications
- Paper towels, trash bags and cleaning spray
- Coffee or breakfast basics
- Basic tools and scissors
- Important documents
- Keys, wallet and moving paperwork
Common mistakes
What tends to make this harder than it needs to be.
- Packing every frequently used item too early
- Leaving utilities and internet until moving day
- Using vague box labels like “misc.”
- Filling large boxes with heavy books
- Forgetting to reserve cleaning time at the old home
Want it organized on paper?
Moving Planner Printable
This guide covers the method. The related Hummingbird page shows what to look for in a printable or digital planning tool for the same job.
Common questions
Quick answers before you start.
When should I start packing for a move?
For most homes, start low-use items about 3–5 weeks before the move and leave everyday essentials until the final week.
What should I do first when preparing to move?
Start by decluttering, confirming the move date, reserving transportation or help and creating one place for all moving paperwork.
What should not go in the moving truck?
Keep identification, medication, valuables, important documents, keys and anything you will need immediately with you.