Moving? Here’s an easy checklist with a timeline that makes your move as easy as possible

Over the past quarter century, we’ve helped countless families move-in and out of homes. We’ve seen what’s worked and what hasn’t. Here’s the tried-and-true to-do list (starting 2 months before your move) to take as much stress out of your move as possible. 

Two Months Before Your Move

Decluttering is the name of the game. Go room by room, taking everything out of drawers and closets, and sort through it all. Anything that you don’t want to pack should get donated (or thrown away/recycled if not acceptable to donate) and anything you want to keep should get put away. 

If you’re moving out of state or to another part of Florida, you need to get quotes from movers (get on-site estimates, not ones over the phone) at this point and book your move. If you’re staying in Miami-Dade, it doesn’t hurt to get your mover booked now but it’s ok if it happens next month as well.

If you’re shipping a car, schedule the car shipment. 

Now is a good time to create a family-wide to-do list to keep track of everything. Paperwork, what rooms need to get packed etc. 

Make sure to get all school records transferred to the new school (if your kids are moving schools). Also get medical records transferred if you’ll be changing doctors. 

If you’re like the majority of us, your trash bin is going to fill up every week from here on in. 

Six Weeks Before You Move

Get packing materials and start packing the things that you won’t need for the next six weeks. Every week on in, start packing what you won’t need until after the move (ie a week’s worth of clothes and the coffee maker will be the last things you pack). 

When you’re packing up, make sure to label the room it is going to – not the room it came from. Sometimes that’s the same, but sometimes it isn’t.

One Month Before Your Move

Pack up valuables (like jewelry) into a specific box that you will transport yourself. Make a list of anything that the movers will transport that is worth more than $100 per pound so that you can get extra insurance. 

Set your forwarding address with the USPS. Start changing your address with every entity that mails you important documents (banks, insurers, employer’s HR department etc). Make sure at least one bill or piece of official mail is in your name and in your spouse’s name at your new address (for proof of address to get new drivers licenses, register at the news school, etc). 

Call around to choose the internet provider at your new home and book the installation (these installations can book a month out so you can have a seamless move). 

Pack – at minimum – a few boxes a day so you won’t be pulling an all-nighter the night before the move. 

Two Weeks Before You Move

Make sure you can take moving day off of work. 

Reconfirm with your mover that they’re showing up on moving day. 

Finish packing a room a day. 

One Week Before You Move

If you’re driving across country, get your car tuned up. 

Get all prescriptions refilled. 

Pack your suitcase that you can live out off for a week (do 10 days if you’re moving out of state). 

4 days Before You Move

Check the moving day weather. Plan accordingly on what you’ll wear and make sure key items will be protected from the elements. 

Get some cash. It’s always good to have some on hand (especially to tip the movers – tipping them after loading the truck will make the move go more smoothly in addition to tipping when the unload the truck at your new home). 

Day of the Move

If you’re moving out of state: check the USDOT number you were given matches with the truck that shows up. This is the best way to ensure you are not going to get scammed. 

If you are looking for a home to move into (or out of) in Miami-Dade County,  give us a call.