How to plan your move like a winning game plan
In sports, the best game plan can create the best chance for victory before the players even take the field. When you’re moving, an advance plan does exactly the same thing.
When people get stressed about a move, they often picture the worst-case scenario: standing in the middle of a room amid a sea of half-packed boxes, knowing the moving truck arrives tomorrow. That’s stressful just to imagine — and it’s exactly what good planning prevents. When it comes to moving, planning is the key. It really is that simple. Here’s a look at the crucial steps involved in planning a smooth, low-stress move — and a few pro moving tips to make it easier.
Plan your move: Key Takeaways
- Start your moving plan early — research movers about two months out and begin packing room by room on a set date.
- Put everything in a written checklist so you can track and check off each moving task.
- Handle the logistics that are easy to forget — change of address, utilities, schools, and insurance — well before move day.
- Declutter before you pack, use up your food, and clean your old home to avoid wasted moving costs and rental fees.
Write your moving plan down
Whether you use a spreadsheet or a notebook, create a written checklist of everything that follows. It lets you track all the important jobs and check them off as you finish — the backbone of any good move. Our 8-week moving checklist is a great starting template.
1. Research moving companies early
Two months or more before the move, research professional moving companies in your area. You’ll want a full-service mover that offers everything from professional packing services to storage of your belongings if needed. Check each company’s years of experience, licensing for the type of move you’re making, and online reputation — and make sure they provide a written estimate. Our guides on how to hire a moving company and the questions to ask a mover help you screen the good from the bad.
Schedule a free in-home moving estimate today!
2.Handle your change of address and utilities
Get to know your new community if you can — it gives you a feel for the benefits of moving to a new city and the amenities nearby. Then send out change-of-address notices well in advance to banks, credit card companies, government agencies, and financial institutions; you don’t want to deal with all of that after the move. Contact your children’s schools and your health insurance company to ensure a seamless transition, and set up utilities at your new location several weeks before you arrive. A checklist for moving to a new city keeps these details from slipping.
3.Start packing early: room by room
Start your packing early, going room by room. Set a date to begin and stick to a slow, steady schedule to get it all done. That start date matters: once it’s locked in, it helps you time everything else on your list, especially the tasks that must be finished before packing begins. A little organization here goes a long way — see how to pack for your upcoming move, how to label moving boxes, and the 11 must-have packing supplies. Short on time? Here’s how to pack in a weekend.
4.Budget for your move
This is where the written price from a professional moving service comes in handy. Knowing what you’ll pay the movers is a big part of your moving budget, which should also include packing supplies, gas and tolls on the road, and any storage you might need. Building the budget early helps you spot ways to save money on your move before costs add up.
5.Hold a garage sale and declutter
You don’t necessarily have to set a date for a garage sale, but it helps to set aside time before packing to get rid of things you don’t need. This culling of unneeded items is one of the best ways to make a move easier — and cheaper, since movers charge by weight or volume. Downsizing to a smaller place? It’s especially worth doing. For whatever won’t sell or donate, a junk removal service clears it out fast.
6.Use up the food in your home
Many people forget they’re about to move when they’re at the grocery store. Rather than overspend on items you won’t have time to cook and can’t easily move, trim your shopping list and start using up the food already in your house in the weeks before the move.
7.Clean and repair your current home
Plan for time to handle any repairs or cleaning needed at your current home. Many people skip this step and end up paying fees if they’re renting. A few quick repairs and a thorough cleaning can help you avoid those charges and protect your deposit — and if you’re selling, see these tips for taking the headache out of selling your home.
8.You’ve already “won the move” before you start
Keep these steps in mind as you plan, and you’ll hit most of the key tasks a move requires. With a written plan in hand, a smooth move becomes a simple matter of following it — you’ve essentially won the game before kickoff. Once you arrive, our tips on how to settle into your new home faster help you finish strong.
Need help planning a move? Call (561) 683-1313 to speak with a Moving Specialist, or request a free moving quote online.
Planning my Move: Frequently asked questions
When should I start planning my move?
Begin about two months out by researching movers and getting written estimates, then set a packing start date and work room by room. Starting early gives you time for change-of-address notices, utility setup, and decluttering without a last-minute scramble.
How do I create a moving checklist?
Write down every task — research movers, change of address, utilities, schools, packing, budget, decluttering, and cleaning — in a spreadsheet or notebook, and check items off as you complete them. A ready-made moving checklist gives you a head start.
How can I lower my moving costs?
Declutter before you pack (movers charge by weight or volume), use up food and supplies you can’t move, and get a written, binding estimate so there are no surprises. See more ways to save money on your move.
What should I do weeks before moving day?
Set up utilities at your new home, send change-of-address notices, transfer school and insurance records, finish a garage sale or donation run, and begin packing room by room. Handling these early keeps move week calm.
Does Good Greek help with move planning?
Yes — Good Greek provides full-service moving, packing, storage, junk removal, and auto transport, plus free in-home or video estimates so your budget and timeline are clear from the start. Call (561) 683-1313 or request a free quote.