Long Distance Moving Checklist

A long distance move is an amazing opportunity for a fresh start. However, it can also be stressful, complicated, and expensive. That’s why it’s important to have a plan in place. Start with this checklist to set yourself up for success.

  1. Declutter – If you start decluttering as soon as you know you’re moving, you are setting yourself up for success in your move. Donate and sell as much as you can, and don’t hold back. There is no point in paying to move a broken lamp that you just haven’t gotten around to fixing yet.
  2. Disconnect – Notify your landlord, utilities, post office, doctors, etc. of your impending move as soon as you know when you’re leaving. Cancel your gym membership, switch over any insurance that must change, and notify your children’s schools. Also be sure to keep any important documents and records together and don’t put them on the truck.
  3. Pre-pack – Even if you are hiring movers, there are certain things that you should pack yourself and keep with you. Prepare boxes for the first couple of days in your new home – several changes of clothes, toiletries, flashlights, batteries, paper plates and utensils, pet food, and anything else you may need before you can start unpacking.
  4. Take apart your furniture – If you take everything apart yourself, you can keep all the hardware together and it’s less likely to get lost. Be sure to pack the hardware for each piece of furniture into it’s own labeled plastic bag, and keep it somewhere you can easily find it later.