Moving Day Checklist For an Easier Relocation

One of the busiest days of your life is about to arrive sooner than you think. Are you as prepared as you should be? Having a moving day checklist will make your relocation so much easier.

There are many things to consider when preparing for a move, and organizing these thoughts on a moving checklist for moving day will ensure that nothing is forgotten. At Allied, we already took care of the task for you by making a moving day checklist for each aspect of your move.

During the Move

Moving day will likely be stressful. There's a lot that goes into a successful move, so you'll want to ensure everything is as seamless as possible by following the best moving day tips and tricks throughout the process.

Here's a comprehensive day of moving checklist you can use as a guide on your busy day.

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Clear walkways

Make it safe and easy for your movers to get in and out of your house by removing:
- Potted plants and planters from front porch, walkways and driveways.
- All door and floor mats.
- All rugs. The crew will protect the floors with a specially designed floor covering that does not slip.
- Low hanging items such as wind chimes or hanging plants.

Disconnect the spring on the screen door so that it stays open during the loading process.
If you had the moving company pack for you, work with them to keep walkways clear for the driver and crew.

Supervise the Move

Be present to ensure all moving tasks and special requirements are clearly communicated to the movers.
Make sure you understand all the paperwork. If there is something that is confusing to you, ask your driver to explain it before you sign.
Create a moving inventory checklist to ensure all items are accounted for.
Observe the move and answer any questions or concerns your movers may have.

Point out Special Items

During the walkthrough with the driver, point out items that are special to you. All your items will be handled professionally, but take a moment to show them which ones mean the most to you so they will be extra cautious.
Point out the boxes you would like to have unloaded first. These boxes may include kitchen and bathroom items, your children's toys, or anything that you will need as soon as you arrive at your new home.

Ensure Proper Handling

While your movers load your items into the moving truck, you'll want to ensure everything is properly handled with care to avoid accidents.
Make recommendations for fragile items or boxes.
Double-check labels on boxes before placing them into the moving truck.
Ensure the drivers place all heavy boxes on the bottom, and lighter boxes on top.

Take Photos of Items

Take photos of items for insurance claims or documentation, just in case anything breaks in transit, such as:

Fragile or delicate items, family heirlooms, clocks, art pieces, furniture, and framed photos.
Boxes and furniture (after being placed in the moving truck) before the movers transport your belongings.

Final Walkthrough

Once your movers have moved all your boxes and furniture into the moving truck, you'll want to conduct a final walkthrough. During the walkthrough, check for damage, grab last-minute items, and clean up anything you may have missed.

Ensure No Items Are Left Behind

Perform a final walkthrough to ensure all items are packed and moved out of your home.
Check all closets, cabinets, and drawers in every room in the home.
Look for hidden and forgotten items in and around the garage, shed, and backyard.

Before the Driver Leaves

Make sure you understand all the paperwork you are signing before the driver departs. If there is something that is confusing to you, ask your driver to explain it before you sign.
Provide the driver with your destination contact information so if something changes, you can easily be contacted. Take down any information the driver can provide such as his cell phone, pager and satellite tracking information.
Ask the driver if your shipment is the last one he/she will be loading. Find out when the last shipment goes onto the trailer. This will give you an indication as to when they will be departing for your new home. Ask the driver about his/her plans for delivering your items.

Check for Damage

As you conduct a final inspection of the property and check for any damage before your landlord or the new homeowners move in.
Scan the front and backyard, looking for any needed maintenance on the outside of the home.
Look for damage throughout the home, checking all closets, cabinets, and drawers.

Lock Up

Once you've ensured no items are left behind and checked for damage, it's time to lock up the old property and prepare for the new tenant.
Ensure all doors are locked, gates are closed, and windows are secured.
Leave the keys in a lockbox for the landlord or new tenant.

Plan For Your Next Move With Our Moving Day Checklist

Our checklist for moving day is a tool you can use to strategically plan for every stage of your upcoming relocation. With this resource, you can expertly plan for all tasks involved with the process, ensuring nothing is forgotten in the process.

If you need a moving company to help you through the moving day preparation, Allied Van Lines is here to help. We offer custom moving services for moves of every size. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving Day Essentials Checklists

Ready to start using this 30-day moving checklist to your advantage? Here are some frequently asked questions about the process you'll want to consider first.

What should I do on the morning of moving day?

The morning of your move, you'll want to get up early, pack up the last of your items, and make sure the cleaning supplies are close by. You may also want to take inventory of your items and take photos of everything you own before the movers arrive.

How can I prepare my pets and children for the move?

To avoid injuries, you'll want to consider hiring a babysitter or a pet sitter to watch your pets and children. This will help streamline the process and ensure they are not in the way when the movers arrive.

What should I include in my essentials bag?

Your moving day essentials bag should include toiletries, a change of clothes, and any other day-one necessities you'll want on the first day in your new home.

How can I make sure nothing gets left behind during the move?

You'll want to conduct a final walkthrough after all of your belongings have been removed from the house.

What should I do after I arrive at my new home?

On your first day in your new home, unpack your moving day essentials and organize your boxes for the unpacking process. You may also want to do a walkthrough to see if any cleaning or maintenance is necessary.