Eight weeks before: define the move
Confirm the moving date, decide whether you need a company or a rented vehicle, and create a working budget. Begin one central list for quotes, measurements, documents, and questions. If you rent, review notice requirements before committing to the date.
Six weeks before: reduce what you own
Work room by room. Separate what will move, be donated, sold, recycled, or discarded. Fewer belongings reduce packing time, materials, transport volume, and the number of decisions waiting at the new home.
Four weeks before: pack low-use items
Start with seasonal clothing, books, decorations, stored linens, and special-occasion kitchenware. Number each box and record both its destination room and a useful contents summary.
Two weeks before: confirm the handoffs
Confirm the mover, elevator or parking access, utilities, address updates, key exchange, and any help from friends or family. Plan meals around food that should not travel.
The final week: protect the first 24 hours
Pack a separate essentials bag, photograph valuable electronics before disconnecting them, back up important files, and keep medication and identification with you. Finish with a room-by-room walk-through.
Turn it into your personal plan
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