30 Days Before Your Move

WEEK 1 (Days 30-23)

Lock the carrier + the date

Under compressed timelines, the carrier booking is the most important Week 1 task. Carriers fill up; the longer you wait, the fewer options.

• 01Get 3-5 written estimates within 48-72 hours. Use online quote forms; don't wait for in-home estimates if time is tight (some carriers offer photo estimates).
• 02Verify each carrier's USDOT and TxDMV numbers on safer.fmcsa.dot.gov and txdmv.gov.
• 03Check Google Reviews count, BBB rating, FMCSA complaint history.
• 04Sign the binding written estimate with your chosen carrier. Lock the move date.
• 05Confirm Full Value Protection tier on the BOL.
• 06Notify landlord if renting (some leases require shorter notice if you're paying through end-of-lease).
• 07Begin decommission decisions — what stays, what gets sold, what gets donated.
• 08If corporate-relo: confirm authorization with HR/Mobility immediately.
• 09Order moving supplies same-week.

WEEK 2 (Days 22-16)

Pack non-essentials + coordinate logistics

• 01Begin packing non-essential items — off-season clothes, books, holiday decorations, decorative items.
• 02Confirm COI requirements at destination building, HOA, gated community, or RMC.
• 03Schedule estate-sale firm if doing a partial-decommission.
• 04Schedule donation pickups.
• 05Begin disposing of items not making the trip — Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, Goodwill drop-offs.
• 06Take photos of high-value items at origin.
• 07Update banks, credit cards, employer with new address.
• 08Notify utility companies — schedule disconnection at origin + connection at destination.
• 09Notify Internet/cable provider of move date.
• 10Update insurance — renter or homeowner.

WEEK 3 (Days 15-9)

Compress the pack-out

• 01Pack out aggressively. Aim to have ~70% of the household packed by Day 9.
• 02Label every box clearly — destination room + brief contents description.
• 03Create the High-Value Inventory (HVI) list for items worth more than $100 per pound.
• 04If moving with pets — schedule vet visit for travel documentation, microchip update.
• 05If moving with kids — register at new schools, transfer records.
• 06Order USPS address forwarding.
• 07Schedule cleaning service for origin (post-move) and/or destination (pre-move).
• 08Confirm move date + window with carrier.
• 09Confirm COI is on file at destination.
• 10Schedule any short-term storage if needed.
• 11Begin using up frozen and perishable food.
• 12Continue disposing of items not making the trip.

WEEK 4 (Days 8-1)

Final preparation

• 01Pack a "first night" bag — essentials for the first 24-48 hours at destination.
• 02Pack a "first day" box of kitchen essentials.
• 03Take final photos of high-value items.
• 04Verify all valuables (cash, jewelry, important documents) are personally transported.
• 05Empty and defrost the freezer 24-48 hours before move day.
• 06Drain gas from lawnmowers and other gas-powered equipment.
• 07Remove batteries from clocks, thermostats, smoke detectors.
• 08Disconnect Internet/cable at origin.
• 09Schedule final utility disconnection at origin.
• 10Transfer prescriptions to new pharmacy.
• 11Take final readings of utility meters at origin.
• 12Cancel local subscriptions.
• 13Inform employer of move day timing if needed.
• 14Confirm directions to destination address with carrier.

MOVE DAY

Execution

• 01Follow the Moving Day Checklist (see related resources).
• 02Don't try to do anything other than the move.
• 03Take photos of everything before, during, after.
• 04Sign the BOL carefully — read what it says.
• 05Tip the crew if service warranted.
• 06Begin unpacking the "first night" bag at destination.
• 07Don't try to fully unpack on move day. Sleep tonight. Tomorrow is fine.