The Pre-Move Checklist

8 WEEKS OUT

Foundation — book early, decide what stays

Eight weeks before move day is when the foundational decisions get made. School-year moves and corporate-relo moves should already be in motion at this point.

• 01Research moving companies. Get 3-5 written estimates. Verify USDOT and TxDMV numbers on safer.fmcsa.dot.gov and txdmv.gov.
• 02Verify each carrier's Better Business Bureau rating, Google Reviews count, and FMCSA complaint history.
• 03Decide on move date. Confirm school-year timing if applicable. Avoid peak-summer (June-August) if you have flexibility.
• 04If corporate-relo: confirm authorization with HR/Mobility. Identify your RMC (Cartus, Sirva, Aires, Graebel, NEI Global, Weichert).
• 05Sign the binding written estimate with your chosen carrier. Confirm Full Value Protection tier.
• 06Notify landlord if renting (most leases require 30-60 day notice).
• 07If selling home: contact realtor about staging + cleaning timeline.
• 08Schedule pre-move home inspection if needed for sale.
• 09Begin decommission decisions — what makes the trip, what gets sold, what gets donated, what gets discarded.

6 WEEKS OUT

Logistics + service coordination

• 01Confirm carrier's walkthrough date (in-home or virtual).
• 02Schedule estate-sale firm if doing a partial-decommission.
• 03Schedule donation pickups (Goodwill, Salvation Army, local nonprofits).
• 04Confirm Certificate of Insurance (COI) requirements at destination building / HOA / gated community / corporate-relo administrator.
• 05Begin sorting closets — donate or sell items you haven't worn in 2+ years.
• 06Order moving supplies — boxes, packing tape, packing paper, markers (if you're doing partial-pack).
• 07If using corporate-relo: confirm storage-in-transit authorization if needed.
• 08Notify utility companies of move date — schedule disconnection at origin + connection at destination.
• 09Notify Internet/cable provider of move date.
• 10Update insurance — homeowner / renter insurance address changes.
• 11Update banks, credit cards, retirement accounts with new address (some can wait until after the move).

4 WEEKS OUT

Pack out non-essentials + plan logistics

• 01Begin packing non-essential items — books, off-season clothing, decorative items, holiday decorations.
• 02Label every box clearly — destination room + brief contents description.
• 03Take photos of valuable items (art, electronics, antiques) at origin for insurance documentation.
• 04Create a "High-Value Inventory" list of items worth more than $100 per pound. Required for FVP coverage on interstate moves.
• 05Begin using up frozen and perishable food.
• 06Reserve any specialty services — wine cellar handling, art handler coordination, pool table disassembly.
• 07If moving with pets — schedule vet visit for travel documentation, microchip update, prescription refills.
• 08If moving with kids — register kids at new schools, transfer records.
• 09Order address-change services (USPS forwarding, etc.).
• 10Coordinate with movers about parking + freight elevator + dock access at origin.
• 11Schedule cleaning service for origin (post-move) and/or destination (pre-move).

2 WEEKS OUT

Final pack-out + service confirmations

• 01Continue packing — kitchen non-essentials, bedrooms (except beds), garage, storage areas.
• 02Confirm move date + window with carrier.
• 03Confirm COI is on file with destination building / HOA.
• 04Schedule any short-term storage if needed.
• 05Disconnect Internet/cable at origin (typically 1-2 days before move).
• 06Schedule final utility disconnection at origin (electricity, gas, water).
• 07Transfer prescriptions to new pharmacy if needed.
• 08Update voter registration, driver's license address (most states require this within 30 days of move).
• 09Inform employer of new address.
• 10Cancel local subscriptions (gym, lawn service, pool service, etc.).
• 11Begin disconnecting smart-home devices (Nest, Ring, security systems) — schedule reinstall at destination.

1 WEEK OUT

Final preparation + verification

• 01Confirm move day window with carrier.
• 02Pack a "first night" bag — essentials for the first 24-48 hours at destination (toiletries, change of clothes, phone chargers, medications, important documents).
• 03Pack a "first day" box of kitchen essentials (coffee maker, mugs, plates, utensils).
• 04Take photos of high-value items one more time.
• 05Verify all valuables (cash, jewelry, important documents, original photos) are personally transported — NOT loaded with the household.
• 06Empty and defrost the freezer 24-48 hours before move day.
• 07Drain gas from lawnmowers and other gas-powered equipment (FMCSA prohibits transport of full tanks).
• 08Remove batteries from clocks, thermostats, smoke detectors.
• 09Take final readings of utility meters at origin.
• 10Confirm directions to destination address with carrier.
• 11If long-distance: confirm delivery window and the carrier's in-transit communication protocol.

MOVE DAY

Day-of execution

• 01Have the COI confirmation handy (in case the building manager asks).
• 02Be at the origin address when the crew arrives. Walk through with the crew lead.
• 03Confirm any pre-existing damage on the inventory paperwork before signing the BOL.
• 04Verify Full Value Protection tier on the BOL.
• 05Take photos of high-value items one final time before they're loaded.
• 06Confirm the inventory list at origin. Sign with any exceptions noted.
• 07Provide the crew with destination address, contact phone, and any access codes.
• 08Take final utility meter readings at origin.
• 09Lock the origin home and hand keys to landlord / realtor.
• 10Travel to destination. Be there when crew arrives.
• 11Walk through destination with crew lead, identify any new damage at destination, sign destination BOL.
• 12Tip the crew if service warranted ($20-$50 per crew member is industry standard).