4 Most Important Items on Any Moving Checklist

Moving to another home is both an exciting and daunting thing to go through. Once the move starts to get into motion, you’re sure to have a laundry list of things you’ll have to accomplish. Forget one, and your move can become more stressful. Tick each item, one at a time, and you’re guaranteed a happier and hassle-free move. We’re here to help! These the four key things on anyone’s moving checklist.

Photo of a family with moving boxes sitting on a couch
Relocating to a new city can be stressful. But it doesn’t have to be!

With the right planning and by starting early, you can still have the time to take things easy, go about your day normally, and even relax. While relocating homes can be a stressful endeavor to go through, you can make the process smoother and a guaranteed success with the help of a checklist. Here’s a sample checklist you should follow, as you prepare to relocate:

1. Hire a Junk Removal Company

Wherever you’re reading this from, you’re sure to find a junk or trash removal company. These companies come in handy, especially when relocating homes.

Phot of a dumpster fill with trash and junk
Removing the junk prior to moving is simply smart.

The first step on any moving checklist is to declutter. No one should spend time or money moving items they don’t really need after all. So… sell, donate, give away, and throw out all this stuff! You never know how much junk you may have accumulated in your home not until you see them as you prepare for your move.

With this situation, it’s a major plus to have a truck in place to haul all the junk you’re letting go of. Think big, odd-sized furniture you may not know how to dispose of, among all the other junk in your home. Not only do junk removal companies take a huge load off your shoulders, but they also help you stay on schedule when your move. They can take care of the most common junk tasks on your behalf.

2. Keep Your Moving Budget In Check

Ensure your move is financially manageable by making a budget. Once you do, you should stick to it. It’s not just enough to say you’ve got this certain amount set aside for the move and then end there.

Whenever a new expense relating to your move comes up, it’s important to do a running balance too. That way, you can be certain that your move’s running costs are still within your allocated budget. To avoid going over budget, make it a point to include your budget as a part of your house relocation checklist.

3. Create an Inventory of Your Belongings

Next on your moving checklist, create an inventory of the belongings you now have identified as important enough to bring with you. Making an inventory of your possessions makes sure you don’t miss an item. 

It’s also a good way to check that all your belongings have arrived in the home you’re relocating to, and nothing is missing. If you’re going to hire a moving company, your inventory of items can help you keep track of the expenses related to bringing those things with you.

Doing this inventory means going from one room to another. It’s also best if you create this list before you pack. This will keep things in order and speed up the packing process when you already know for certain what needs to be packed and what doesn’t.

4. Get The Right Packing Supplies

Moving can be expensive. One of the top key players that contribute to the cost is the packing supplies. Even if you’re going to hire a moving company, it’s still a good idea that you get some of the packing supplies yourself. That way, you may be able to cut down one the costs caused by those supplies.

Having your own packing supplies makes sure you have extra in case the movers run out. In fact, you might not need to buy some! You can use boxes you already have in your garage. You can also ask your neighbors for crates and boxes they don’t use anymore. The more you can ask for, the better.

You can also go out on a limb and ask nearby groceries, department stores, and hardware stores. Take the time to go through each of those you have in your local area. If you’re lucky, you may be given Styrofoam, wood pallets, boxes, and bubble wraps for free.

Conclusion

Moving from one place to another, no matter the distance, can always be a stressful situation to be in. There’s just a lot to do in order to be certain everything about the move goes as planned and as scheduled. To stay organized, keeping a moving checklist is definitely key. 

This is a good way to be absolutely certain you have everything you need for your move. If you’re going to relocate soon, the checklist above can definitely be of good use. While not comprehensive, it’s more than enough to give you a stable start in ensuring your home relocation is successful and stress-free.

Tre Pryor, Realtor

Tre Pryor is the leading real estate expert in the city of Louisville. He is a multi-million dollar producer and consistently ranks in the top 1% of Louisville Realtors for homes sold. Tre Pryor has the highest possible rating—5.0 stars on Google—by his clients and is routinely interviewed by the local NBC news. Tre Pryor is a member of the RE/MAX Hall of Fame.