Moving-day checklist

Use this checklist if you supply the truck or container and hire help to load and unload. To print it, use your browser's print command.

One to two weeks before

• Reserve the truck, trailer or container, and confirm its size against your home size.
• Check whether your city requires a permit for a container or truck on the street. Our Colorado city guides link to each city's rules.
• Book the elevator and loading dock at both buildings, if they have them.
• Get your building's move-in and move-out rules in writing.
• Decide what you won't move, and sell, donate or dispose of it now.
• Note any piano, safe, gym equipment or other item over about 300 lb, and get it assessed.

The last few days

• Finish packing. Seal and label every box with its destination room.
• Empty dresser and desk drawers.
• Defrost and dry the freezer if it's moving.
• Disconnect washer and dryer hookups, or arrange for someone qualified to do it.
• Pack a separate bag of essentials, documents, medication, chargers and valuables to travel with you.
• Bag and label the hardware from anything you take apart.

Moving day

• Park the truck as close to the door as you legally can, before the crew arrives.
• Prop doors, clear walkways and protect floors if your building requires it.
• Walk the crew through what's going, what's staying and anything fragile.
• Keep kids and pets in a separate, closed room.
• Before the truck leaves, walk every room, closet, cabinet and the garage.
• At the new place, put up room signs that match your box labels.

If you're moving between cities

Each end of your move is its own appointment. Share your expected arrival time with the destination crew, and plan for the drive to take longer in a loaded truck. See coordinating help at two addresses.