Moving is stressful. No sugar-coating needed. It is what it is, right? On a lighter note, though, moving can also be thrilling. So let us help you get through this stressful yet exciting time with at least a little less headache than you would usually have.

Here’s the Only Relocation Checklist You Will Ever Need

Congratulations, you have a new home! After you’ve signed the papers and settled the initial payments, the fun and excitement wear out once you’ve realized how much stuff you’ll be moving. So stop procrastinating and start packing! Start as early as:

2 Months Before Moving Day:

• Look for and get a quote with a trusted and experienced moving company. Read their customer reviews, know how long they have been in the business, and, of course, their moving prices.
• Create a budget for your moving expenses and make a list of the packing supplies you will need. Just because you’re moving eight weeks from now doesn’t mean you get to spend on extra things you want to put in your new house.
• Schedule a day off from work for your moving day. It’s ideal that you would plan your moving day on a Friday so that you’ll have time to tidy up your space on the weekend.
• If you have kids, look for schools they’ll transfer to and create a different checklist for this so you won’t forget any paperwork. Take note of stuff like transcripts and other requirements their new school needs.
• Set up a garage sale. Although optional, having a garage sale will lessen your moving load and you can use the money for other things. After that, you can donate the stuff you couldn’t sell. You can also choose to sell your stuff online.

6 Weeks Before Moving Day:

• This is when things can become a little emotional if you’re moving to somewhere far. Schedule your remaining time with your friends and near-by relatives. You can throw a simple dinner or barbecue.
• Look for packing tips and hacks you can use.
• Think ahead and label your boxes using sticky notes or markers. Through this tip, unpacking will be easier for you once you’ve moved-in to your new home.
• Start your minor packing. This includes things you don’t use on a daily basis, like books, figurines, and other knick-knacks.
• Measure the doorways and stairs of your new house to make sure your furniture will fit.
• Make an inventory. You must check your stuff before and after they go in and out the moving truck. You’ll have a lot of things on your plate, and you wouldn’t know when you might forget a box or two. Better safe than sorry.
• Don’t forget to mark boxes or containers with fragile items in them so that your movers will know how to stack your boxes properly.
• If you’re moving to a far area, have your vehicles checked and serviced. You don’t want your car to have a breakdown in the middle of an empty road!
• Make sure your car is empty if you will have it shipped.
• Research about your new area if you haven’t done it yet. It’s not like you’re going on an adventure where you go to a place you know nothing about – you’ll be living there!

1 Month Before Moving Day:

• Gather all necessary documents and keep them in a safe place or container. You don’t want to forget passports, birth certificates, financial and legal records, and other essential documents and papers.
• Keep parking options for your moving truck in check. You might need to get a parking permit for your moving day.
• If you’re moving far, you’ll want to look for a new dentist and doctor nearest to your neighborhood.
• Schedule the cancellation of your old services in your former home and schedule installation for your new house. This includes cable, telephone, and internet services.
• If you have pets, make sure they have tags on their collars. You should also get their vet records and other essential pet medications. You also need to have them vaccinated if you’re moving to a different country.

2 Weeks Before Moving Day:

• Update all accounts, subscriptions, and other records for your new address. This includes credit cards, banks, Social Security, Driver’s license, etc.
• Plan 2-weeks worth of meals so that you don’t have to stock extra food that might go to waste. Consume your frozen food and other perishable goods as they will go bad before you even reach your new place.
• Return the things you borrowed from your friends.
• Remove all light bulbs from your lamps before they get on the moving truck.
• If you have a gym locker or other storage areas at work, make sure you clean them out.
• Create a list of service providers or technicians near your new home. It’s better if you know the number of your new plumber or electrician just in case something happens.
• Transfer or cancel your gym membership or other lifestyle and leisure memberships.
• Clean, or at least dust, your furniture before moving. You’re moving your things, not dust bunnies.

1 Week Before Moving Day:

• Do some light cleaning in your old house. It’s your way of showing politeness or courtesy for the next residents.
• Call or email your scheduled deliveries – if any – and inform them of your move.
• Check your closets and shelves for things you might have forgotten to pack.
• Defrost your refrigerator the night before you move.
• Check the weather forecast and prepare for whatever weather condition you will encounter.
• Pack your essentials. These are the things you’ll need for traveling to your new home. You’ll also want to have a weeks-worth of stuff you’ll need if your movers run late.
• Recheck your checklists the night before to make sure you don’t forget anything on your moving day.
• Set up an alarm and get up early for moving day

MOVING DAY!

• Once you’ve arrived at your new home, you’ll have to clean before your movers come. Cleaning is always easier when you don’t have stuff lying all over the floor.
• Unpack your essentials and toiletries first, then make your bed, because those are two of the things you’ll need when you finish moving and unpacking – shower and sleep.
• You’ve probably had enough take-out by this time, so go grocery shopping.
• Put up your curtains or cover your windows for privacy to help you sleep during your first night.

1 Week After Moving Day:

• Time for decorations and personalization! Make your new place feel more like home.
• Explore your neighborhood. Look for restaurants, cafés, or grocery stores.
• Update your friends and family about your move and thank them if they helped you with the move.
• Unpack the rest of the stuff you haven’t opened yet.
• Leave a review in your moving company’s website or Yelp.

You’re probably tired just after reading this checklist, and we’re not surprised if you are! It only goes to show that moving can be hard work, which is why you should hire a reliable moving company. A trustworthy moving company will stick to your schedule, inform you of the setbacks they encounter and do their best to help you with the moving process.