Moving locally might be quicker and cheaper than a long-distance move, but it still requires careful planning and organization. Whether you’re moving to a new home across town or to a neighboring city, having a clear plan makes all the difference. By following these tips, you can approach moving day with confidence!
8 WEEKS BEFORE: PLAN YOUR LOCAL (OR LONG-DISTANCE) MOVE
- Create a moving plan and budget: Start by deciding on your moving date, then work backward to schedule tasks week by week. Since you’re moving a short distance, you can afford a bit more flexibility with the timeline—consider breaking the move into smaller stages and making multiple trips, or transporting smaller loads with your own vehicle. Determine your budget for the move (whether you’re renting a moving truck, hiring a professional local moving company, or using your own vehicle with a trailer hitch) so you know what you can afford. A local move might allow you to reduce costs by renting a smaller vehicle or even enlisting friends to help.
- Deciding on DIY-moving vs. hiring a professional local moving service: If you have a lot of heavy furniture or a larger home, hiring a professional local moving service can be a good option, even for a local move. If you’re trying to stay within a budget and planning for a DIY-move but you also have a good amount of heavy furniture such as dressers, china cabinets, and bed sets. A good choice is to go with a hybrid option and find a moving company that offers Labor-Only Moving Services or even a company that doesn’t have a 2-3 hour minimum for their local moves, and find a service that provides affordable hourly local moves that can just will just take care of the heavy furniture for you. the pros and cons—while movers can save you time and physical strain, they come at a higher cost. However, with labor-only services and having them assist you with loading the furniture and unloading the furniture you’d be paying 1/2 the price for roughly 2hrs of labor at pickup and about 1-1.5hrs at delivery. For example: Budget Moving Services offers various types of moving labor services to prioritize the clients needs and keep it affordable, a lot of smaller locally owned moving companies provide full-service hour-by-hour moving labor, which gets you 2 movers at $120-$150 per hour with packing & packing supplies included. You can negotiate with them also whether if you need their services with or without their truck. In conclusion: Find a moving company that offers a variety of different moving services that can be personalized to meet the needs of your specific job— such as Labor-only Help: Furniture Loading & Unloading, and Hourly Furniture Movers for hire, etc. Get estimates from at least three reputable national or local moving companies and read reviews. If you opt for a DIY move, look into renting a truck from a local moving company that might offer more affordable rates for a short-distance move. Since you’re moving nearby, you may also be able to make a few trips with your own vehicle with a trailer rental from U-Haul, ask friends for help, saving you rental costs. Be sure to reserve your moving truck or hire movers as soon as possible to lock in your date since moving prices seem to fluctuate similar to airline tickets and is more expensive during the spring/summer, also is more expensive to move on Friday-Sunday; so if you’re booking weeks in advance be sure to aim for a date/time that’s during the week from Monday-Thursday, and if you can avoid moving during June-August. (Peak Moving Season)
- Notify your landlord: If you’re moving out of an apartment, notify your landlord of your move-out date according to your lease requirements—typically 30 to 60 days in advance, though this may vary. Be sure to note any steps required for your security deposit return and follow all move-out policies outlined in your lease.
- Organize important documents: Create a moving folder or binder to keep all moving-related documents, contracts, and receipts. Also, gather personal documents—such as birth certificates, passports, and insurance papers—and keep them in a safe place. You’ll want to transport these yourself during the move.
- Evaluate your move’s logistics: Take note of any factors that could affect moving day, such as stairs or elevator reservations, narrow doorways, or parking restrictions at your current or new home. Some cities or HOAs may require parking permits for moving trucks, so research and apply for those if needed.
6 WEEKS BEFORE: DECLUTTER/DOWNSIZE & START PACKING
- Purge unnecessary items: Go through each room and set aside items you don’t want or need anymore so you’ll have less to pack. Get rid of unwanted items by tossing anything broken, selling usable items online or at a yard sale, or donating them to charity.
- Gather packing supplies: Begin collecting moving boxes and supplies. You’ll need plenty of sturdy boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, newspaper, and markers for labeling. Before buying new moving boxes, check local stores or online community groups for free moving supplies options. Since you’re moving locally, you can also consider borrowing, buying, or renting plastic storage totes to transport items in stages. This can help reduce the number of boxes you need and make the packing processmore manageable by taking smaller loads over time.
- Start packing early: Pack boxes with anything you won’t use before the move. Good places to start are storage areas like the attic, basement, garage, and any seasonal items. Label every box clearly with its contents and the room it belongs in at your new home. Early packing will save you from a last-minute rush.
- Transfer important records: If you or your family will be changing doctors, dentists, or other healthcare providers, or if your kids will be switching schools, arrange to transfer records now. For medical records, you may need to complete release forms. For school records, notify the school of your move and request transcripts.
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4 WEEKS BEFORE: COORDINATE AND ORGANIZE THE LOGISTICS
- Continue packing systematically: At the one-month mark, ramp up your packing. Aim to pack a few boxes each day. Focus on infrequently used items first, leaving daily essentials for last.
- Handle address changes and notifications: Start updating your address for various services and subscriptions. Make a list of everyone who needs your new address—banks, credit card companies, insurance providers, your employer, subscription services, and any clubs or organizations.
- Notify utilities and schedule transfers: Contact your utility providers (electricity, gas, water, internet, trash collection, etc.) and schedule service changes for your move dates. Don’t forget other services like security systems, lawn care, or pest control—cancel or transfer those as needed.
- Plan for kids and pets: If you’re moving with children or pets, make arrangements for them on moving day to ensure safety and minimize stress. Since moving day can be hectic with lots of open doors and distractions, consider asking a family member or trusted friend to babysit or pet-sit—either for the whole day, or just for a few hours. If that’s not an option, set up a quiet, safe space with some favorite toys or comfort items to keep kids and pets occupied during loading and unloading. Remember to pack a go-bag with essentials—like diapers and snacks for little ones, and pet food for your furry friends.
- Verify moving day details: If you hired movers, now’s a good time to confirm everything with them. Double-check the date and time, addresses, any special instructions, and your moving insurance coverage. For a DIY move, confirm details with any friends helping you and ensure your truck rental is reserved. If you live in an apartment or in a city, reserve the elevator or a parking spot for the moving truck on your moving day, if necessary.
2 WEEKS BEFORE: FINISH PACKING & FINALIZE PLANS
- Finish (most) packing: Aim to have the majority of your household packed in boxes. Focus on the kitchen, living room, and other areas you’ve been using up to now. Set aside only the essentials you’ll need for the next two weeks, and pack everything else. As you seal boxes, label them clearly on the top and side, and mark fragile items so movers know to handle them with care.
- Plan your essentials box and your box for valuables: Identify important items that should or should not be packed onto the moving truck. This includes valuable jewelry, important documents (like social security cards, deeds, car titles, etc.), and irreplaceable keepsakes. Plan to carry these with you on moving day for safekeeping. Additionally, even though you’re moving locally and can easily grab forgotten items, it’s still helpful to prepare an essentials box with toiletries, clothes, chargers, and other immediate needs. Having everything ready will make your transition smoother, even for a short move.
- Submit your change of address with USPS: If you haven’t done so already, now is the time to submit your official change-of-address request with USPS. Also, notify any remaining parties about your move. Two weeks out is generally a good lead time for banks, employers, and others to update your info.
- Take care of home chores: As moving day nears, start preparing your current home for handover. If you’re responsible for cleaning, either schedule a cleaning service or gather cleaning supplies to do it yourself. Additionally, take care of any minor repairs—like patching nail holes, touching up paint, or fixing broken fixtures.
- Confirm move logistics: Call your moving company to re-confirm the arrival time and any last-minute details — if you’re going with Budget Moving Services you can leave this step out since we schedule a date/time (3-days prior to your pickup date) to reach out to you and do a quality assurance follow up phone call and finalize everything with you and make sure we make any last-minute additions to the inventory list. Then we will confirm the arrival timeframe for the pickup, and then follow up again the morning of the move with a more accurate ETA down to the minute! If friends are helping, reach out to confirm when and where they should meet you. Double-check that your new home will be ready—if you’re getting keys from a landlord or realtor, set a time to pick them up. Also, confirm that utilities in the new place will be turned on by your move-in date.
1 WEEK BEFORE: COMPLETE LAST-MINUTE TASKS
- Pack remaining items and essentials: In the final week, pack the items you’ve been using daily. This might include your everyday clothes, toiletries, and kitchen items. By the night before your move, the only things left out should be what you need for that evening and the next morning. Pack those items—along with a couple changes of clothes and any personal electronics—in your essentials box or suitcase.
- Prepare appliances and furniture: Unplug all appliances at least 24 hours before moving so they cool down and you can safely move them. For your washing machine, disconnect and drain the hoses. About two days before moving your refrigerator, empty, defrost, and prop the doors open to allow any remaining water to drain. If you’re taking apart furniture—like beds, shelves, or tables—tape labeled bags of screws and hardware to each piece of furniture so you don’t lose them.
- Complete home checks: Walk through your home and make sure everything is ready to go. Remove any wall decor, take down curtains or blinds if they’re coming with you, and double-check closets, attics, and the garage for items that might have been overlooked.
- Plan payments and tips: If you hired professional movers, keep cash on hand to tip them if you’re satisfied with their service—while not mandatory, tipping is customary for a job well done. Also, prepare any final payments due to the moving company, landlords, or other services. Have a checkbook or credit card ready for last-minute expenses, such as an extra box or pizza for friends helping out.
- Rest and prepare yourself: Moving is physically and emotionally tiring, so try to get a good night’s sleep before the big day, especially if you’re moving by yourself. If possible, take a day or two off work around the move to give yourself time to focus. Set aside comfortable clothes and shoes for moving day, along with a water bottle to stay hydrated.
MOVING DAY: OVERSEE YOUR LOCAL MOVE
- Meet the movers or helpers: Wake up early on moving day and be ready for when your movers or friends arrive. Go over the plan with everyone—including details like which rooms to clear first and any fragile items that need special care. If you hired local movers, do a walkthrough of your home with them, pointing out any delicate furniture or boxes labeled “Fragile.” Make sure they have the correct new address and your phone number.
- Complete your final walkthrough: Before leaving your old place, do one (or two) last walkthroughs of every room, closet, basement, attic, drawers, and outdoor area. Ensure that absolutely nothing gets left behind. Don’t forget to check places like dishwashers, ovens, or outdoor sheds for any items.
- Ensure home is secure and clean: Tidy up once everything has been moved out. Sweep or vacuum the floors and wipe down surfaces if you haven’t already. Make sure all windows are closed and locked, and that the lights are turned off. Take out any remaining trash. If you’re turning over keys to a landlord or new owner, leave any garage door openers, gate keys, or manuals for appliances in a conspicuous place. Lock up and double-check that you have all your personal keys with you.
- Check items off and settle the movers: As the truck or vehicles empty out at your new home, check that all boxes and furniture have arrived safely. If anything is missing or damaged, make a note—and, if using a moving company, inform the crew leader or driver immediately to file a report. Once everything is unloaded, carefully read through any final paperwork before signing it. Don’t forget to give the movers their tip and express your thanks if you’re happy with their work.
AFTER THE MOVE: SETTLE INTO YOUR NEW HOME
- Unpack essentials first: As you unpack and organize your new home, start with the boxes that contain the items you need right away. Make the beds so you have a comfortable place to sleep at the end of a long day. Set up your bathroom with shower curtains, towels, and toiletries. Unpack kitchen basics so you can prepare simple meals.
- Get appliances running: Plug in your refrigerator and any other appliances you moved. If you have a gas stove or dryer, make sure a professional reconnects them if required. Check that your utilities—electricity, gas, water, internet, etc.—are all functioning in the new home. If something isn’t working, call the utility company promptly.
- Verify address changes: Confirm that your mail is being forwarded to your new address by USPS. In the coming days, keep an eye out for any mail with a yellow forwarding label, as it means some senders haven’t received your updated address yet, and you may need to send additional updates. If you moved to a different city, you may need to register your car locally or update your driver’s license (most states require address updates with the DMV within 30 days of moving). Mark your calendar to take care of these tasks.
- Explore your new neighborhood: Take breaks from unpacking to get familiar with your area. A short walk can help you find the nearest grocery store, pharmacy, or just say hello to a neighbor. This can make your new place start to feel like home and give you a nice breather from inside the house.
- Continue unpacking in stages: With a local move, you have the flexibility to unpack over several days—take your time and focus on one room at a time to make the process feel more manageable. Prioritize key areas like the kitchen, bedrooms, and bathroom. Set small goals and celebrate progress. Before you know it, you’ll be fully settled!
- Take care of yourself: In all the hustle, remember to take care of yourself and your family. Stay hydrated and eat regular meals, and keep easy-to-prepare or ready-to-eat food on hand. Get plenty of rest, and don’t lift heavy items alone—ask for help to prevent injuries. Moving is hard work, so give yourself permission to take it a step at a time.
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Preparing for a local move? Explore these moving resources for packing tips, moving cost estimators, and some of the best moving companies for local moves and long-distance moving services. If you need self storage to help ease your transition, Budget Moving Services offers storage services along with their local and long-distance moves; and we offer free redelivery services with our local moving services in Lawrenceville and Atlanta plus a highly discounted storage unit included with your move! If you’re wanting to still use our local moving services, but would prefer to have your own storage unit that’s available to you anytime — we’re partnered with both Public Storage and Extra Space Storage which consistently run promotional rates on their inside climate-controlled units and their outside units for only $1.00 for the first month! Both Public Storage and Extra Space Storage have thousands of conveniently located storage facilities in Georgia and throughout all 50 States in the U.S.
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