Moving Checklist: 8 Weeks to Moving Day
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Quick answer: Start about 8 weeks out: check your lease for move-out notice rules, get written estimates from registered movers, declutter, then pack room by room. Set up utilities and file your USPS change of address in the last few weeks, and take dated photos at both places on moving day. Deposit rules: laws vary by state; this is general guidance, not legal advice. Check your lease and your state attorney general’s tenant guide.
⚠ Safety first:
- Lift with your legs, get help for heavy items, and use a dolly or hand truck for appliances.
- Keep walkways and stairs clear and don’t block doors you may need to exit through.
- Never let anyone pressure you into signing blank or incomplete paperwork (FMCSA; FTC).
Steps: easiest & free first
- 8 weeks: read your leaseFREE
Find the notice requirement and move-out cleaning rules. Give notice in writing and keep a copy. - 6–8 weeks: get mover estimatesFREE
Get written estimates from several movers (FTC). See hiring movers & scams. - 6 weeks: declutterFREE
Sell, donate or toss what you won’t move. - 4 weeks: gather supplies and start packingSHOP
Boxes, tape, markers. See packing tips. - 2–4 weeks: utilities and addressFREE
Schedule start and stop dates and file a change of address on USPS.com (USPS). See utilities & address. - 1 week: clean and patchFREE
See move-out cleaning and patching nail holes. - Moving day: photos, keys, walk-throughFREE
Photograph the empty old place and the new place before unpacking. See move-in checklist and day-one basics.
⚠ When to call a pro: gas appliances (disconnecting and reconnecting a gas dryer or range is a job for a qualified pro); damaged walls, floors or fixtures beyond small touch-ups; a mover who holds your belongings for more money or disappears (file with FMCSA at 1-888-DOT-SAFT, or your state attorney general for in-state moves); and deposit disputes your landlord won’t resolve. Renting? See what you can fix vs. call your landlord.
Helpful supplies
| Item | Why | |
|---|---|---|
| Moving boxes and packing tape | The basics | Check price [PLACEHOLDER – no affiliate link] |
| Hand truck or dolly | Heavy items safely | Check price [PLACEHOLDER – no affiliate link] |
Generic categories only; check the product label and your home’s needs before buying.
Sources
- FTC – Avoid scams when you hire a moving company
- FMCSA Protect Your Move – Spot the Red Flags
- USPS – Change of Address: The Basics
- California Attorney General – Know Your Rights as a California Tenant
- Massachusetts Attorney General – Guide to Landlord and Tenant Rights
- Texas Attorney General – Renter’s Rights