Moving Checklist – TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®

April 11, 2022 Movers Who Blog Organizing

Cut down on last minute moving tasks by utilizing a moving checklist

You might have heard by now, but we’d like to think of ourselves as the “experts” when it comes to everything home moving.

Throughout our nearly 40 years of moving homes and businesses, we’ve seen what works – and what doesn’t work – since we began moving back in the 1980s. Throughout that time, we’ve come up with a few tips and tricks to make the moving process a bit easier on everyone.

While people tend to ask what our best tips are, there can be numerous answers to this question. One thing we always point to: a moving checklist.

Moving checklists are essential to organization with a home move, and organization goes a long way in ensuring you stay on track with your tasks, while helping to ease some of the pressure that comes with moving day. With a moving checklist, you’ll have the ability to track your progress in real time and get an idea of where you are in the moving process to get a better idea of what still needs to be done before the big day.

As moving day approaches, we recommend beginning at about a month out and slowly chipping away at the process so you don’t get overwhelmed. From buying and closing on a new home to packing up your belongings, hiring professional movers, changing the address on your utilities and bills, and much more – there’s a lot to be done, and a moving checklist helps you keep everything in order.

We’ve built our own moving checklist for you to get started with based on things we’ve seen over the years. We would also recommend taking a look at movetrac, a free moving resource we created for those who want a comprehensive app with resources and checklists all with the click of a button.

One month before your move

Contact, schedule, and hire a mover as soon as you know you are planning to complete a home move to ensure you get the moving day you want.
Begin the cleaning of various areas of your home – closets, attics, garage, etc.
Begin changing your local address where necessary in areas like mailing, insurance, school records, and so on.
Purchase moving boxes and packing supplies to help get things rolling on your move – local TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchise locations offer a wide-variety of moving and packing supplies to fit all of your moving needs.

1-2 weeks before moving day

Start canceling anything that is tied to what will soon be your past home address – Internet, cable, newspapers, or any labor services you receive around your home.
Call all of your local utility companies and be sure they know the exact day to stop charging your old home address for services.
Start the packing process and go room by room so you don’t overwhelm yourself. Be sure to properly label and organize boxes so you know where everything is on moving day.

The week of moving day

Finish up any last-minute cleaning around your home and ensure everything is set for when you officially move out.
Continue working on packing all of your belongings, working to have all belongings packed and ready to go before moving day arrives. For items you no longer need, donate them to a charitable cause or sell them, if possible.
Make transportation plans for the day of the move so you know how you’re getting to the new place. If you have kids or pets, develop a plan that fits their needs, too, and figure out where they will be while the move is taking place.

The day before moving day

Get in contact with your moving company to double-check that everything is set in stone for the ensuing moving day. If you’re moving with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, we will send a pre-move email solidifying all important details of your move.
Ensure all breakable items have been removed from dresser drawers and packed away.
Take out some cash to hold you over during the moving process. This might come in handy if you need to get some pizza or snacks during the day!
Complete any final cleanings of your home and appliances.

Moving day

Pack an essentials bag for items you can access immediately when arriving at your new home. This can include anything from chargers to toothbrushes, quick snacks, etc.
Make sure there is a clear moving path inside and outside of your home for movers to navigate.
Be sure you are at the home when the professional movers arrive so that you are accessible should they have any questions or concerns.
Once the movers have loaded everything onto the moving truck, do one final walkthrough of the home and make sure nothing was left behind. Last but not least – go say goodbye to your neighbors!

If you want more information on moving checklists, click here. If you are interested in hiring TWO MEN AND A TRUCK for your next home move, click here!

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward! For more helpful tips and information on moving services subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook.

November 1, 2021November 22, 2021 Movers Who Blog Uncategorized

These overlooked moving essentials will keep your moving process on track and stress-free

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK mover greeting a customer

Packing, address changes, hiring professional movers, protecting your belongings – these are just some of the main things people think about when they start considering a home move, and deservedly so.

Each are extremely important pieces in the puzzle of moving from one home to the next, and all require your full focus and attention as you begin the process. However, what about the other parts of the moving process you aren’t thinking of? We like to call these “overlooked moving essentials”, and while they might not appear important on the surface, they are simple thoughts and ideas that will come in handy on moving day to help keep the stress levels down.

We always tell our customers – and really anyone who will listen – that organization is the most important factor in the moving process and paying attention to these overlooked moving essentials is a huge piece of staying organized.

Follow along and get ready for moving day!

Moving checklist

The most organized thing you can do leading up to a move is creating a moving checklist. We believe this is one of the most important pieces to a successful move and encourage all of our customers to make one. It’s an organized plan of how you’re going to attack the move, starting from about a month out and leading right up to moving day.

If you’re asking yourself how you’re supposed to come up with a moving checklist, don’t worry – we’ve made one for you.

Batteries and chargers

There’s no deny technology runs the world and plays a big role in our day-to-day life. That’s why chargers and batteries are extremely important on moving day – so you can stay connected where needed!

Your cable/internet might not be in immediately at your new home, so keeping those phones, tablets, chargers, remotes, clocks, and everything in between charge is crucial.

Plastic bags

Simple, right? Plastic bags are a cheap, easy, and versatile tool to have on moving day and they make carrying around loose items which didn’t get packed away easy. Keep a stash handy and be ready if needed.

Cleaning supplies

It’s not much of a secret that the moving process can be a little messy. This makes having cleaning supplies readily available an important part of moving so that if a mess happens, you’re able to clean it up right away.

Clorox wipes, toilet cleaner, laundry soap, cleaning spray, and more are all good ideas to have purchased prior to moving day.

Tool kit

In a perfect world, you can move into your new home with zero issues. But that is a perfect world, and this is the real one.

Having a tool kit handy as you start transitioning into your new home will be extremely handy for making any quick fixes that are needed around the house.

May 24, 2021June 14, 2021 Movers Who Blog Uncategorized

Create a moving checklist to keep you on track during the moving process

Home moving is a delicate process, one where a good amount of planning is required in order to eliminate unwanted stress or chaos as you transition from one home to another.

Some of the steps required include packing all of your belongings, figuring out which items you’ll be parting ways with, changing addresses for utilities and bills, hiring movers, and much more. We’ve helped people move for more than 35 years now and the best piece of advice we can give to customers for eliminating move stress is always the same: proper planning and organization – specifically by using a moving checklist.

A moving checklist is the best way to take your move in stride and chip away at the process piece by piece as you work toward moving day. From figuring out your plan of action to determining how you will go about packing, and everything else in between – a moving checklist is a good way to track your progress and give you an idea of how things are going.

One helpful moving checklist resource we’ve developed for those who want to take this virtual is Movetrac, which is a comprehensive list of moving resources and checklists where you can see real-time progress and get your moving questions answered all in one place!

We’ve also put together some of the most important tasks in a comprehensive moving checklist you can follow below. Enjoy!

Moving Checklist

One month before your move

Contact, schedule, and hire a mover as soon as you know you are planning to complete a home move to ensure you get the moving day you want and that movers are available.
Begin the cleaning of various areas of your house – closets, attics, garage, etc.
Begin changing your local address where necessary in areas like mailing, insurance, school records, and so on.
Purchase moving boxes and packing supplies to help get things rolling on your move – local TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchise locations offer a wide-variety of moving and packing supplies to fit all of your moving needs.

1-2 weeks before moving day

Start canceling anything that is tied to what will soon be your past home address – Internet, cable, newspapers, or any labor services you receive around your home.
Call all of your local utility companies and be sure they know the exact day to stop charging your old home address for services.
Start the packing process and go room by room so you don’t overwhelm yourself. Be sure to properly label and organize boxes so you know where everything is on moving day.

The week of moving day

Finish up any last-minute cleaning around your home and make sure everything looks nice for when you officially move out.
Continue working on packing all of your belongings and try to be finished before moving day arrives. For items you no longer need, donate them to a charitable cause or sell them if possible.
Make transportation plans for the day of the move so you know how you’re getting to the new place. If you have kids or pets, develop a plan that fits their needs, too, and figure out where they will be while the home move is taking place.
Mail in any change of address forms so your new place is ready to go with your information.

The day before moving day

Be in contact with your moving company and double-check that everything is set in stone for the ensuing moving day. If you’re moving with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, we will send a pre-move email solidifying all important details of your home move.
Ensure all breakable items have been removed from dresser drawers and packed away.
Take out some cash to hold you over during the moving process. This might come in handy if you need to get some pizza or snacks to feed everyone!
Perform one final cleaning of your home and appliances.

Moving day

Pack an essentials bag for items you can access immediately when arriving at your new home. This can include anything from chargers to toothbrushes, quick snacks, etc.
Make sure there is a clear moving path inside and outside of your home for movers to operate.
Be sure you are at the home when the professional movers arrive so that you are accessible should they have any questions and concerns.
Once the movers have loaded everything onto the moving truck, do one final walkthrough of the home and make sure nothing was left behind. Last but not least – go say goodbye to your neighbors!

If you’ll be moving soon and would like to see more of this moving checklist, click here! If you are interested in using our moving services for your next home move – or if you need any other service such as junk removal – visit our website to learn more!

April 20, 2020May 11, 2020 Movers Who Blog Organizing, Uncategorized

Using a moving check list to stay organized during your next home move

If we’ve learned a thing or two about moving over the last 35 years, there’s two things that stands out above the rest when it comes to making a home move easier: preparation and planning.

Preparation and planning will lead to organization in every aspect of your home move running a little bit smoother.

One of our best recommendations to limiting some of the stresses involved with home moving is developing a moving checklist! A moving checklist will give you a point of reference to follow along with as you navigate through the hurdles that come with moving.

From figuring out what belongings are going with you to your next home to packing, hiring movers, and other tasks around the house – a moving checklist is something you can follow to help you get the job done.

We’ve come up with a moving checklist so you can get a head start on preparing for your upcoming move!

One Month Before Move

Contact, schedule, and hire a mover as soon as you know you’re moving to ensure you’re scheduled for the day and time you prefer.
Begin the cleaning of various areas of your house – closets, attics, garage, etc.
Begin changing your local address where necessary in areas like mailing, insurance, school records, and so on.
Purchase moving boxes and packing supplies to help get things rolling on your move – local TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchise locations offer a wide-variety of moving and packing supplies to fit all of your moving needs.

1-2 Weeks Before Move

Start canceling anything that is tied to what will soon be your past home address – Internet, cable, newspapers, or any labor services you receive around your home.
Call your local utility companies and be sure they know the exact day to stop charging your old home address for services.
Start the packing process and go room by room so you don’t overwhelm yourself. Be sure to properly label and organize boxes so you know where everything is on moving day.

Week Of The Move

Finish any last-minute cleaning around your home and make sure everything looks nice for when you officially move out.
Continue packing all of your belongings, aiming to finish before moving day arrives. For items you no longer need, donate them to a charitable cause or sell them, if possible.
Make transportation plans for the day of the move so you know how you’re getting to your new place. If you have kids or pets, develop a plan that fits their needs, too, and figure out where they will be while your move is taking place.
Mail in any change of address forms so your new place is ready to go with your information.

Day Before The Move

Be in contact with your moving company and double-check everything is set in stone for the ensuing moving day. If you’re moving with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, we will send a pre-move email solidifying all important details of your home move.
Ensure all breakable items have been removed from dresser drawers and packed away.
Take out some cash to hold you over during the moving process. This might come in handy if you need to get pizza or snacks to feed everyone!
Perform one final cleaning of your home and appliances.

Moving Day

Pack an essentials bag for items you can access immediately when arriving at your new home. This can include anything from chargers to toothbrushes, quick snacks, etc.
Make sure there is a clear moving path inside and outside of your home for movers to operate.
Be sure you are at the home when your moving team arrives so you are accessible should they have any questions and concerns.
Once the movers have loaded everything onto the moving truck, do one final walkthrough of the home and make sure nothing was left behind. Last but not least – go say goodbye to your neighbors!

We hope this checklist gives you a good starting point for planning your next move! If you are in need of moving services, be sure to visit our website to learn how TWO MEN AND A TRUCK can help move you forward.

If you’re looking to create a personalized moving checklist specific to your moving needs, we’ve got the solution – movetrac! With movetrac, you create a custom moving checklist which you complete at your own pace. You can also learn a few moving hacks along the way with our many resources available.

March 2, 2020February 28, 2020 Movers Who Blog Organizing, Tips and Tricks

Keep your move organized and on track with these 6 overlooked moving essentials

Above all things that are important when moving to a new home, arguably none rank higher than organization. If you are organized before, during, and after your move – there’s a good chance your move will go even smoother.

We’ve completed more than 7.5 million moves over our 35 years as movers, and time and time again, we’ve seen that organization is the key to moving. However, this is much easier said than done. From taking care of all your bills and utilities at your old home to packing, cleaning, hiring movers, and so on – there is a lot to think about. These all generally are at the top of mind when preparing to move, but what about some of those overlooked essentials you might be forgetting?

Generally, these “overlooked moving essentials” are things you’ll want with you on moving day when you arrive at your new home. They are all of varying degrees of importance, but all things you don’t want to go without!

Moving Checklist

Seems simple enough, right? It’s sometimes so simple that customers forget to do it! Create a plan for how you want to attack your upcoming move so you have something to follow throughout the process.

If you don’t feel like creating your own, no worries – we’ve created one for you.

Plastic Bags

Plastic bags are cheap, easy, and versatile on moving day. Whether you need them for carrying new items that didn’t end up getting packed away or they’re just filling in for some quick trash duty, there is always a use for plastic bags. Keep a stash ready so you can quickly access one if needed.

Batteries/Chargers

What doesn’t use some type of battery or charger these days? While chargers are still needed for items like phones, laptops, or tablets, there are still a large number of items that run on batteries: remotes, clocks, and varying home appliances.

Have a supply of batteries handy should you need them.

Cleaning Supplies

It’s no secret that moving in or out of a home can create a bit of a mess. That’s why it’s not a bad idea to have some cleaning supplies close and ready should there be a mess that occurs during the moving process. Items like rags and sponges, Clorox wipes, toilet cleaner, cleaning spray, laundry soap, and more are all good items to have on moving day.

Toilet paper/Paper Towels

Without getting into too much detail, we’ll just say that these fall under the category of “you’d rather have it and not need it.” Buy both in advance.

Tool Kit

Ideally, you could move into your home without any issues. However, that is unlikely to happen, so get a tool kit together that you can have handy so you’re able to make any quick fixes that might be needed once you are moved in.

These are just a few important and often overlooked moving essentials you’ll want to keep in mind as you’re getting ready for moving day. To find more helpful moving tips to make your moving day a success, search through our company blog or visit our website!

June 10, 2019July 1, 2019 Movers Who Blog Tips and Tricks

Develop a moving checklist to get you ready for your next home move

-Written by Erik Sargent

If you have an upcoming home move planned, you’re well aware of the fact that moving can be a stressful and chaotic process.

From figuring out what items will be going with you or getting thrown out to handling utilities, changing addresses, packing, planning, and so on – there’s much to be considered before the actual moving day arrives. As a company who has been helping people ease the stress of home moving for over three decades now, one of the most helpful tips we recommend to customers is developing and following a moving checklist.

This keeps you organized and on track throughout the days, weeks, and months leading up to moving day and will help your mind stay focused on important tasks. Thankfully for you, we took the time to develop a checklist for you – so follow along and take some of the hassle out of your home move!

Moving Checklist

One month before your move

Contact, schedule, and hire a mover as soon as you know you are planning to complete a home move to ensure you get the moving day you want and that movers are available.
Begin the cleaning of various areas of your house – closets, attics, garage, etc.
Begin changing your local address where necessary in areas like mailing, insurance, school records, and so on.
Purchase moving boxes and packing supplies to help get things rolling on your move – local TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchise locations offer a wide-variety of moving and packing supplies to fit all of your moving needs.

1-2 weeks before moving day

Start canceling anything that is tied to what will soon be your past home address – Internet, cable, newspapers, or any labor services you receive around your home.
Call all of your local utility companies and be sure they know the exact day to stop charging your old home address for services.
Start the packing process and go room by room so you don’t overwhelm yourself. Be sure to properly label and organize boxes so you know where everything is on moving day.

The week of moving day

Finish up any last-minute cleaning around your home and make sure everything looks nice for when you officially move out.
Continue working on packing all of your belongings and try to be finished before moving day arrives. For items you no longer need, donate them to a charitable cause or sell them if possible.
Make transportation plans for the day of the move so you know how you’re getting to the new place. If you have kids or pets, develop a plan that fits their needs, too, and figure out where they will be while the home move is taking place.
Mail in any change of address forms so your new place is ready to go with your information.

The day before moving day

Be in contact with your moving company and double-check that everything is set in stone for the ensuing moving day. If you’re moving with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, we will send a pre-move email solidifying all important details of your home move.
Ensure all breakable items have been removed from dresser drawers and packed away.
Take out some cash to hold you over during the moving process. This might come in handy if you need to get some pizza or snacks to feed everyone!
Perform one final cleaning of your home and appliances.

Moving day

Pack an essentials bag for items you can access immediately when arriving at your new home. This can include anything from chargers to toothbrushes, quick snacks, etc.
Make sure there is a clear moving path inside and outside of your home for movers to operate.
Be sure you are at the home when the professional movers arrive so that you are accessible should they have any questions and concerns.
Once the movers have loaded everything onto the moving truck, do one final walkthrough of the home and make sure nothing was left behind. Last but not least – go say goodbye to your neighbors!

We hope you found this extensive moving checklist helpful and that it was able to help you organize a little better as you plan for your upcoming move. If you are thinking about moving but haven’t started the moving process, give us a call – we’d be happy to help!

August 28, 2017June 26, 2018 Movers Who Blog Downsizing, Hiring Professional Movers, Home Decor, Home Sweet Home, Moving, Moving with kids, Organizing, Packing, Preparing to Move, Tips and Tricks, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, Uncategorized

11 important steps to take after you move into a rental property

This is a guest blog post from Avail.com

Finding a new apartment and moving in is a lot of work. Once you’re moved in, you’re not done yet! We’ve compiled a few tips to get you up to speed on the moving process, and settled in nicely in your new apartment.

#1 Make sure all utilities are working

As soon as you’re in the property, make sure the electricity and gas are working. Turn the lights on and off, and double check the stove works.

It’s also important to check that your thermostat is working. Depending on the season, you’ll need access to air conditioning or heat.

If you set up your utilities ahead of time, they should be turned on in time for your move date. Anything that’s not working should be addressed sooner rather than later.

#2 Complete move-in checklist

Your landlord should provide you with a move-in checklist. The checklist helps you document the condition of the unit when you move in, and note if there’s existing damage (scratches on the floor, chips in the paint, etc.). You should thoroughly check the areas listed on the checklist and document anything you see, ensuring you’re not blamed and/or charged for damage that was already there.

#3 Unpack

Next, the fun begins as you start unpacking! Getting settled in can take a long time, so it’s important to get started sooner, rather than later. If you’ve labeled your boxes and organized your belongings, it’ll be a faster and easier process.

Read this article to stay organized during your move.

#4 Tell your landlord about any maintenance problems

As you’re settling in, you might notice maintenance issues. For example, maybe the dishwasher isn’t working, or the intercom system to buzz people in isn’t working. You should keep track of anything you notice, and then inform your landlord right away.

#5 Check your new mailbox

Find out where your mailbox is located and check that your key works. You should clear out your mailbox if it’s full.

#6 Find out where the trash and recycling is located

If you’re in a high-rise, you should find out where your trash chute is located. Otherwise, you’ll want to find out where the nearest trash and recycling bins are.

#7 Make copies of your keys

If you need extra copies of your keys, you can make duplicates at a home improvement store. Once you’ve made copies, you should make sure they work. In the case of a lockout, you may want a spare key hidden, or you can give an extra set to a family member or friend.

#8 Go grocery shopping

As soon as you move, you’ll need to stock up on groceries. Locating your nearest grocery store will be helpful as you get settled in.

#9 Set up internet and cable

Setting up internet and cable will likely require a professional to deliver and set up your router and cable box. You’ll want internet and cable right away, so you’ll want to ensure you set up these up prior to your move in date.

#10 Update your renters insurance

If you haven’t already, you should update your renters insurance for your new address if you don’t have a current plan. Renters insurance protects you from damage in the case of theft, flooding, fires, and other unfortunate circumstances.

#11 Make it your home

Lastly, we recommend settling in by decorating, checking out your new neighborhood, or cooking your first meal there. Moving is a hectic process, and at the end of a long day, you’ll want to feel settled and comfortable in your new home.

Moving into a rental can be a hectic process, but staying organized and completing these tasks will help you get settled quicker. Moving forward, you should take care of your space, pay rent on time, and report maintenance issues as they arise so you’re all set to enjoy your rental!

About Avail

At Avail, our end-to-end software empowers tenants and landlords. As a tenant, you can complete a rental application, sign your lease online, pay rent online, and manage maintenance all in one place. Thousands of landlords and tenants across the country use our platform to streamline the rental process. Learn more here.

May 30, 2017June 14, 2017 Movers Who Blog College Moving, Downsizing, Hiring Professional Movers, Moving, Organizing, Our People, Packing, Preparing to Move, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, Uncategorized

What movers can’t move during the moving process

Written by Anna Stephens

At TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®, we strive to provide our customers a successful, stress-free, and safe moving day. For these reasons, along with certain rules and regulations, there are a few items that our movers will not move.

We highly recommend speaking to your movers well in advance about the items that you are unsure of in order to avoid any confusion or conflict on your moving day. This way, you’ll have plenty of time to make other arrangements.

Here is a list of items that our movers are not able to transport:

Any flammable, explosive, or corrosive items: Some items in this category include propane, paint, car batteries, antifreeze, household cleaners, weed killer, and ammunition. Federal law prohibits the transportation of these items, so under no circumstances will it be moved.
Gasoline-filled engines or machines: Any items that run on gasoline must be emptied prior to move day. Items such as lawnmowers, grills, tractors, or mopeds must be completely empty in order for movers to transport them.
Any living thing: In order to ensure the safety and well-being of your plants and animals, we do not transport any type of plant or pet, including potted plants.
Perishable foods: We have banned food from our trucks to prevent rotting, spoiling, or producing odors in the truck.
Sensitive or sentimental: Items such as cash, jewelry, insurance papers, or birth certificates.
Prescription drugs: We do not move prescriptions to prevent any emergencies where you may need to access these medications.

We have highlighted these items in our animated video to help you prepare for your successful move. Please watch below to view a detailed list.

It’s important to note that certain franchises may have different policies regarding non-allowable items. For a complete list of items that movers are not able to transport on your moving day, please contact your local TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® office.

March 13, 2017March 27, 2017 Movers Who Blog Home Sweet Home, Moving, Organizing, Preparing to Move, Tips and Tricks, Uncategorized

Home safety checklist for your new property

-Written by Lauren Pezzulo

You did it – you’re a homeowner! Congratulations are in order, but first, it’s time to think about how you’ll set up your home for maximum safety. After all, just because you had the property inspected before you bought, doesn’t mean you have all the hazard equipment you’d need in case of a really big storm, or that you’re ready to handle a fire or other disaster. Take some time to get acquainted with your new home’s emergency features and design a custom survival plan with this preparedness checklist. Continue reading “Home safety checklist for your new property” →

April 20, 2015September 6, 2016 Movers Who Blog Hiring Professional Movers, Moving, Packing, Preparing to Move

I’m too busy! I don’t have time to pack and move!

Written by Arika Ford

I’m in a rush most of the time. Three kids with various activities on our schedule every day of the week, a full-time job, a house to clean, husband, dog, cat, and hamster. Hurry, hurry, hurry is my life these days.

In addition to the chaos, I am moving in June. It may seem far away, but when you’re as busy as I am, it’s hard to find time to get everything together. After careful consideration and planning, I put together a timeline to prepare for my move. For the other busy moms and dads out there, hopefully this will help you stay on track for a smooth move.

Before you start packing, you will need to buy all necessary packing boxes and supplies. Fortunately, your local TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® sells a variety of moving and packing supplies so you can purchase a wide variety of boxes to hold different household items like we did!

My timeline is as follows:

One month before the move. Set up a handful of big boxes, not only as a reminder and a motivator, but to pack items you won’t use until after the move (special baking dishes, extra serving dishes, silverware, holiday items, etc.). dishpack kit

3 weeks before the move. Box up out of season items – for me this is winter items – in each kids’ room (snow boots, extra coats, gloves, heavy sweaters, snow pants). If you have young kids, you can turn this into a game — anything to get them to help. I am going to set up boxes in the living room and have my kids run as fast as they can to their rooms, gather their winter gear, and box those items up. I have designated an area for each of them in the living room to see who can get all of their winter items to me the fastest. Two of my kids play fall sports, I can easily pack up those items and label them. This is also a good time to start working on hallways closets and rid any bulky winter or vacation items.

At this point, hopefully you will have a healthy stack of labelled boxes. Keep your packed boxes out of the way so they don’t get damaged or tipped over. The display of boxes will begin to get my kiddos talking about moving and they will likely adjust to the move a little quicker if it is a part of their life for a few weeks before the move.

2 weeks before the move. Use this time to put small boxes in the kids’ rooms and have them begin to sort and pack small areas such as junk drawers, toys, and closets. This helps them to have ownership and a sense of control over something. Take this time to pack up miscellaneous or other household items that will not be used until after the move.

Gather items you no longer want and plan to donate. Now is a perfect time to get rid of items you have not used in the last 12-14 months. Research local shelters and donation sites in your city.

Week of the move. Use this time to finish packing up clothing, go through Moving Checklist your bathrooms, and pack the remainder of your items. Start cleaning forgotten areas of your home and put last minute things together. Checklists are wonderful. Think about writing a checklist for the final packing and cleaning steps.

Packing up small areas at a time eliminates the feeling of becoming overwhelmed and allows you to be more prepared as moving day quickly approaches. If you stay on top of packing and prep as much as you can, when you can, your busy family will be packed up, moved out, and settled into the new place with what felt like much less effort. We’re hoping this checklist gives you busy parents a starting point to begin packing and organizing for your family’s big move.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. We are packing and moving experts and like to share our expertise with you. For more helpful tips and information on moving services subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook. Let us help move you forward!