{"id":6332,"date":"2025-06-10T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-10T04:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/rentblog.reevesmediagroup.com\/how-to-move-the-ultimate-game-plan-and-timeline\/"},"modified":"2025-06-10T11:24:08","modified_gmt":"2025-06-10T15:24:08","slug":"how-to-move-game-plan-timeline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/how-to-move-game-plan-timeline\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Move: The Ultimate Game Plan and Timeline"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When planning how to move into a new home, there are many things to do and arrangements to make- enough to be overwhelming. Where do you start, and how do you <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/moving-costs\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">keep costs down<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The answer is to be prepared. Proactivity will reduce your stress and help achieve an anxiety-free move. So whether you are considering relocating to a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/florida\/tampa-houses\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tampa rental<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/16904\/CA\/San-Diego\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home in San Diego,<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or a cozy <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/apartments\/Arizona\/Phoenix\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Phoenix apartment<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">following along with this Rent. moving checklist will keep you moving forward.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Renting a new home<\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-19711\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/apartment_viewing-min.jpg\" alt=\"couple looking at an apartment\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before you pack up your life, it\u2019s probably a good idea to know where you\u2019re heading. Once you know where you\u2019ll end up, you\u2019ll have a much better idea of how to plan your packing and moving strategy.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Decide what you\u2019re looking for<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When searching for a new home, it\u2019s important to know what you want. Are you upsizing, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/blog\/how-to-downsize-your-home-going-from-owning-to-renting\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">downsizing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or looking for the same square footage? How far from work or school or family do you want to be? And most significantly, how much are you willing to pay?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are many online search engines, such as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the Rent.com search<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where you can search for desired features to help narrow your search. It\u2019s also helpful to do a search for leasing agents and real estate professionals familiar with the area that you plan to move to. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A local expert can guide your home search and help ease the stress of finding a place to live.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. Put your best financial foot forward<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you find a selection of homes you\u2019re interested in, it\u2019s not as simple as picking one and signing on the dotted line. Your potential <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/landlord-frauds-and-scams\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">new landlord<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will need to decide if you\u2019ll be a good tenant and do a deep dive into your finances.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your credit score is often held up as the key to your financial acceptance. However, what a future landlord really wants to see is if your monthly salary is about 2.5 to 3 times the apartment\u2019s rent, you don\u2019t have a history of delinquent payments and haven\u2019t been previously evicted.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Be sure to calculate your gross income to figure out your available rent budget. Also keep in mind that if you are stuck between renting and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/guides\/buy\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">buying a home<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, there are resources and experts available to help make your decision.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With average rent in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.ca\/on\/toronto\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Toronto<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> reaching $2,239 per month, plus annual costs like insurance, utilities, and moving expenses, renters are spending tens of thousands yearly without building equity. At <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lendworth.ca\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lendworth<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, we turn your rent budget into a mortgage opportunity \u2014 helping you become a homeowner faster with flexible private lending solutions,\u201d shares the team at Lendworth. It\u2019s important to explore your options before making a decision, you may have more opportunities to acquire your dream home than you think!<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. Keep your eye on the prize<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And when you do stumble onto your possibly perfect home, don\u2019t get starry-eyed at all the awesome amenities and extras. Don\u2019t lose sight of the small things you really can\u2019t live without.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Look past that cool techy fridge and make sure there are enough power outlets and cable hookups, a good parking spot, a strong cell signal and the right amount of water pressure in the shower.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4. Don\u2019t drown in application fees<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first time you contact an apartment you\u2019re interested in, ask if there\u2019s an application fee. You might find a slew of great apartments that meet your demands, but you still have to be discerning. The more apartments you apply to, the more you\u2019re going to shell out in fees.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That being said, in high-demand areas, you might have to put an application in right away to secure an apartment everyone wants before it\u2019s gone. So start your search early to get ahead of the curve!<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5. Give appropriate notice<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before you sign any new lease or make plans to move out, carefully look at your current lease and be sure you\u2019re following your non-renewal or early-termination clauses to a tee. See how far in advance you need to give your landlord notice, and if you have to do it in writing. Follow all rules to restore your apartment to good condition. Fail to follow these guidelines and you may incur penalties or loss of deposit.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6. Take a breather before you sign on the dotted line<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ninety percent of all leases are standard, and even among that other 10 percent, 90 percent of those will be boilerplate. But for any lease, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/apartment-living-10-things-you-should-do-before-signing-a-lease\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">be aware<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of any and all rules and procedures contained therein. Look for things like pet deposits, late fees, visitor rules, termination guidelines and other important clauses, and make sure it\u2019s all copacetic to you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, leases are long and full of legalese, but don\u2019t sign anything until you fully understand everything in it. And if you have questions, ask.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7. Research moving costs<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/hiring-a-moving-company-here-are-6-tips-to-consider\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hiring movers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can be expensive, but depending on your specific situation, the money might be worth it. At the least, moving yourself involves packing, loading, driving and unloading a rented truck, and unpacking at your new home. Performing these tasks without driving yourself crazy can be a tough ask.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you decide to go with a mover, do a ton of research and read reviews. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cGiven the moving industry&#8217;s low margins and rising costs, it&#8217;s important to understand that moving prices should be somewhat consistent across reputable providers,\u201d advises Dirk Perdrix from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wemoveanywhere.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We Move Anywhere<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0 \u201cIt&#8217;s wise to be cautious of estimates that seem too good to be true. For a helpful comparison, we suggest pricing out your move on the U-Haul website to see what a self-move might cost. This can provide valuable perspective on the expenses involved in a long-distance move.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re moving on your own, start looking at trucks and asking favors of friends. In either case, you should have your truck reserved or your moving company hired at least four weeks before your move to prevent elevated <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/blog\/expenses-to-plan-for-when-you-move\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">moving expenses<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>The last month before moving<\/h2>\n<h3><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-19712\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/month_before_move-min.jpg\" alt=\"preparing to move\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" \/><\/h3>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Finalize your moving plans<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you have decided on moving yourself, hiring professionals or a hybrid move, solidifying your plan at least a month in advance of your move is best. Depending on your area, the cost of moving will vary. While some areas will see increased moving costs this moving season, Ross Levener from <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.lexelmoving.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lexel Moving<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> shares that some areas will see a reprieve:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cAt Lexel Moving, a Boston-based company, we\u2019re noticing a slower-than-usual start to the 2025 moving season. Moving costs have dropped 15\u201320% from their pandemic-era peak, settling back to pre-pandemic averages.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stable gas prices have helped us keep variable expenses in check, and a healthier labor market has made it easier to recruit and build strong moving teams for the upcoming summer.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ensuring that you have allocated funds for both expected and unexpected moving costs is an important step in finalizing your moving plans. Nothing is worse than scrambling to cover costs of unexpected expenses!<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. Know what\u2019s going and what isn\u2019t<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s time to take inventory of everything in your house. Go room to room, corner to corner, and decide what\u2019s going to your new place, what\u2019s getting donated and what\u2019s getting trashed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you have an idea of how much stuff is moving with you, you can figure out how big a truck you need and how much it\u2019s going to cost. The team at <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/shmchicago.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sweet Home Movers Chicago<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> shares that when planning your move, it&#8217;s important to account for distance and home size:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Distance<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThis one\u2019s simple \u2014 the farther you\u2019re moving, the more it will cost. Local moves are usually billed by the hour, while long-distance moves are often priced based on weight and mileage.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Home size<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More rooms = more furniture = more time and effort. A studio move is quicker and cheaper than relocating a 3-bedroom house full of belongings. Be prepared for higher costs if you\u2019re moving from a larger space or if you have many heavy or fragile items.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. Stacking boxes<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now that you know how much stuff you\u2019re moving, you can figure out how many boxes you\u2019re going to need to put it all in. Then, take that number and increase it by 25 percent just to be safe. If needed you can buy all the boxes you need at the local U-Haul dealer, office superstore or from Amazon.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To save some money, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/where-to-get-moving-boxes\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">get creative<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Talk to the manager at your supermarket or at the dollar store to see if you can grab some from them before they break them down. See what the shipping manager at your work has stashed away. And don\u2019t forget the packing tape, bubble wrap and color-coded labels.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4. Connect yourself<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before you even hit the road, contact all the utility providers in your new neighborhood and schedule connections. Call the water, sewer, power, and trash collection companies and give them a service start date. If you\u2019re moving to an area with the same cable and internet company you\u2019re already using, they\u2019ll make the transition almost seamless. If it\u2019s a new one, ask about new subscriber deals and set up a home service call.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Go to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/moversguide.usps.com\/mgo\/whos-moving\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">usps.com<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and arrange a forwarding day <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/mail-forwarding\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">for your mail<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. And connect with your credit card company and insurance providers to update to your new address. Additionally, don\u2019t forget to close out any safe deposit boxes and storage units, update pet ID tags, and get a copy of your medical records from your doctor (as well as a recommendation for a new one).<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5. Calculate additional packing and moving costs<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You know what you\u2019re bringing, you have your boxes, and you have your handy packing tape gun. It\u2019s time to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/14-most-legit-packing-tips\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">start packing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Make your unpacking easier by being organized when you pack it up. Every room gets its own boxes, and every box gets its own label.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use more bubble wrap and packing peanuts than you think you need because nothing puts a damper on move-in day like broken dishes. Get specialty boxes for expensive and big items like your TVs and delicate heirlooms. Start with the things you won\u2019t need over the next few weeks and keep packing as you get closer.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6. Moving your pets<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/moving-with-pets\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">moving with pets<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, planning for their needs ahead of your move date can help keep them as safe and calm as possible during a time of stressful transition. Experts at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tripswithpets.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TripsWithPets<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> specialize in finding pet-friendly hotels for your furry friends, and note that \u201cFinding pet-friendly hotels along your travel route can be tricky and time-consuming. That\u2019s where we come in! Let us do the legwork for you to secure places to stay along your route or at your final destination that will welcome ALL your pets.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you are moving across town or across the country, having a pet-safe space to house your animals can give you peace of mind during your relocation.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>The final week before<\/h2>\n<h3><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-19713\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/days_before_move-min.jpg\" alt=\"packing for move\" width=\"1200\" height=\"814\" \/><\/h3>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Enlist help<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re moving on your own, employ friends and neighbors to help. Lifting stuff all day will hurt your back and arms, even with an army of hand trucks. At the very least, your friends and family can help keep you sane and on track, as well as help you back up the truck without hitting anything.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even if you\u2019re using movers, there\u2019s always help to be had. Let your friends get lunch or help pack your personal car. And if you have kids or pets, let friends babysit so you don\u2019t have to move all your stuff with them kids underfoot. Start asking now (and bribe with pizza).<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. Gather the last-minute items<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Obviously, not everything is going on the truck, whether it\u2019s the pros or a U-Haul. Start making up your keep-with-you boxes for stuff you\u2019ll need as soon as you get to your destination or want to stay near you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Safely pack up items you\u2019re afraid will be lost or break, like antiques, climate-susceptible artwork, expensive jewelry, collectibles, and family heirlooms. Make a space in your car for important documents such as legal papers, insurance, medical and financial records, mortgage and rental papers, birth certificates, prescriptions, passports, and moving contracts.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And then, also pack a move-in box with immediate needs like toilet paper, fresh clothes, batteries, box-cutters, food <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/pet-friendly-cross-country-move\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">for your pets<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and toys for the kids.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. Post-move cleaning<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll need to get all remaining trash out of your home and do a clean before you return your keys to your old landlord. Opting to clean yourself is a budget-conscious decision, but there are significant perks to hiring a professional to do the final clean. It saves time, energy, and mental bandwidth that is already depleted in the typical move.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dan from <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/cleanpixel.ai\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clean Pixel<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> provides valuable insight into cleaning costs, sharing that \u201cIn 2025, we&#8217;re seeing a significant shift in post-move cleaning costs, with professional deep cleaning services now averaging $350-450 for a standard 3-bedroom home. To reduce these expenses, schedule your move midweek when cleaning services typically offer 15-20% discounts compared to weekend rates.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Smart movers are increasingly booking cleaning services through apps that offer bundled services &#8211; combining move-out cleaning with carpet treatment and window washing can save up to 30% versus booking these services separately.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Leftover belongings or an uncleaned dishwasher could result in forfeiture of a portion of your security deposit.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4. Make some room for the truck<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regardless of whether you\u2019re renting a box truck or the moving company is bringing in a semi, you\u2019re going to have to make room. In an apartment building or complex, ask your landlord or building supervisor for the best place for the truck to park (preferably near an exit or elevator) and have them set aside the space.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have a driveway, clear it out and move your car. If you\u2019re in a residential neighborhood and will use the street, ask your neighbors to leave the spaces clear and set up cones if you can (in general, it\u2019s a good idea to inform your neighbors that their access might be blocked or hindered). And if you\u2019re in the city, find out if you need any sort of permits from the city to park (or double park) in the street and what the best spot is to not obstruct traffic.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5. Prep your pets for move-out day<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are several things you can prepare in advance to make move-out day as stress-free as possible for your furry companions.\u00a0 &#8220;To make your move with pets smoother, inspect your new home for pet-safe features like secure fences and non-toxic plants, creating a safe haven from day one,\u201d says <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the team at <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/aerierealtycompany.com\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aerie Realty<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They continue by saying, \u201cDesign a cozy pet zone with their favorite bed, toys, and a water bowl to ease their transition and make it feel like home instantly. Book a vet appointment within the first week to update vaccinations, check for stress-related issues, and get tailored advice for your pet\u2019s adjustment to the new environment.&#8221;\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Move out day<\/h2>\n<h3><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-19714\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/move_out_day-min.jpg\" alt=\"moving out\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" \/><\/h3>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Track your movers<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you did hire movers, be in touch with the office or the driver starting first thing in the morning. Get an update on the time you expect them and how many people they\u2019re bringing, as well as confirm any addresses to which they will be transporting items to and from. As the movers carry your stuff in and out, take some photos (both of your items and anywhere in your apartment or hallway you think they may have scuffed) in case of a dispute. Compare the driver\u2019s inventory sheet to the one you made. Make sure you get the driver\u2019s full name, cell phone number and the truck\u2019s license plate so you can contact them for updates over the course of the move. And be nice to your movers \u2013 it\u2019s a tough job.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. Do a final inspection<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once everything is loaded onto the truck and in your car (and before anyone leaves), do <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/things-to-look-out-for-during-an-apartment-inspection\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">one more walkthrough<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> around your place. Check every corner and every cabinet and every closet to make sure nothing will be left behind.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Double check the movers haven\u2019t damaged any walls or doorways. When it\u2019s all clear, let the driver know he can take off. Before you walk out for good, turn off the water, HVAC and any appliances.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Move in day<\/h2>\n<h3><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-19715\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/move_in_day-min.jpg\" alt=\"moving in\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" \/><\/h3>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Checking out your new place<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re using a moving company, there\u2019s a good chance you\u2019ll arrive at your new digs before your stuff. Now is a good time to make sure all the utilities you ordered are up and working.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Look around to see if there\u2019s any repair work that needs to be done and inform the landlord so it can be completed before the bustle of movers takes over. You can also use this time to create a floor plan of the apartment online and virtually decide where all your furniture is going to go.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. Meet the movers<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stay in touch with your movers to get updates on their ETA. Be there when they arrive. As the drivers unload your stuff, check every piece of furniture and the outside of every box for damage, photograph it, and notate it on the driver\u2019s inventory form and notify the moving company. Additionally, add the note \u201cSubject to inspection for loss or concealed damage\u201d on every driver\u2019s form, in case you discover damage as you unpack your boxes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just like when they packed up, have some water and snacks available for your movers as they\u2019re unloading your stuff, as well.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. Unpack necessities first<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remember the last-minute box you packed with things you\u2019ll need along the way? Find that and you\u2019ll have things like toilet paper and a change of clothes. Open up other boxes containing immediate need items like sheets and bedding, towels, charging cords, plasticware, and paper plates. Start making your house a home before you dump <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">everything<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> out of boxes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Welcome home!<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Master how to move with this ultimate checklist\u2014tips on rentals, budgeting, packing, movers, and more to make moving simple and stress-free.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":223,"featured_media":6333,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20103],"tags":[20200,20237],"topics":[201],"renters":[],"cities":[],"propertymanagement":[],"class_list":["post-6332","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-moving","tag-moving","tag-moving-costs","topics-moving"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.5 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to Move: The Ultimate Game Plan | Rent. Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Stay stress-free while relocating! Use this moving checklist to plan how to move and settle into your new home with ease and confidence.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/how-to-move-game-plan-timeline\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Move: The Ultimate Game Plan and Timeline\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Stay stress-free while relocating! Use this moving checklist to plan how to move and settle into your new home with ease and confidence.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/how-to-move-game-plan-timeline\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"The Rent. Blog : A Renter\u2019s Guide for Tips &amp; Advice\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-06-10T04:00:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-06-10T15:24:08+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/moving_couch-min.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"800\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Cam Hayes\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rent.com/blog\\\/how-to-move-game-plan-timeline\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rent.com/blog\\\/how-to-move-game-plan-timeline\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Cam Hayes\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rent.com/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/5c2d1ef1019b5ff535a55bb2900094b5\"},\"headline\":\"How to Move: The Ultimate Game Plan and Timeline\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-06-10T04:00:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-06-10T15:24:08+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rent.com/blog\\\/how-to-move-game-plan-timeline\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":3045,\"commentCount\":3,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rent.com/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rent.com/blog\\\/how-to-move-game-plan-timeline\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rent.com/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2019\\\/02\\\/moving_couch-min.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"moving\",\"moving costs\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Moving\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rent.com/blog\\\/how-to-move-game-plan-timeline\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rent.com/blog\\\/how-to-move-game-plan-timeline\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rent.com/blog\\\/how-to-move-game-plan-timeline\\\/\",\"name\":\"How to Move: The Ultimate Game Plan | Rent. Blog\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rent.com/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rent.com/blog\\\/how-to-move-game-plan-timeline\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rent.com/blog\\\/how-to-move-game-plan-timeline\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rent.com/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2019\\\/02\\\/moving_couch-min.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-06-10T04:00:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-06-10T15:24:08+00:00\",\"description\":\"Stay stress-free while relocating! Use this moving checklist to plan how to move and settle into your new home with ease and confidence.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rent.com/blog\\\/how-to-move-game-plan-timeline\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rent.com/blog\\\/how-to-move-game-plan-timeline\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rent.com/blog\\\/how-to-move-game-plan-timeline\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rent.com/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2019\\\/02\\\/moving_couch-min.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rent.com/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2019\\\/02\\\/moving_couch-min.jpg\",\"width\":1200,\"height\":800},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rent.com/blog\\\/how-to-move-game-plan-timeline\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Rent. Blog\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rent.com/blog\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Moving\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rent.com/blog\\\/topic\\\/moving\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"How to Move: The Ultimate Game Plan and Timeline\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rent.com/blog\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rent.com/blog\\\/\",\"name\":\"The Rent. Blog : A Renter\u2019s Guide for Tips &amp; Advice\",\"description\":\"\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rent.com/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rent.com/blog\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rent.com/blog\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Rent.\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rent.com/blog\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rent.com/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rent.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/06\\\/Rent-On-White-Bkg.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rent.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/06\\\/Rent-On-White-Bkg.png\",\"width\":146,\"height\":50,\"caption\":\"Rent.\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rent.com/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rent.com/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/5c2d1ef1019b5ff535a55bb2900094b5\",\"name\":\"Cam Hayes\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rent.com/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/IMG-6453-1-150x150.jpg\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rent.com/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/IMG-6453-1-150x150.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rent.com/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/IMG-6453-1-150x150.jpg\",\"caption\":\"Cam Hayes\"},\"description\":\"Cam is on Redfin's Content Marketing team and has 5 years of experience working in the marketing industry. She holds great passion for writing local content that inspires the next generation of home buyers. She is a Texas native, current Colorado resident and dog mom to her border collie, Eroz. Her dream home is an eco-friendly, contemporary-style house anywhere on the West Coast.\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rent.com/blog\\\/author\\\/cam-hayes\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"How to Move: The Ultimate Game Plan | Rent. Blog","description":"Stay stress-free while relocating! Use this moving checklist to plan how to move and settle into your new home with ease and confidence.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/how-to-move-game-plan-timeline\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"How to Move: The Ultimate Game Plan and Timeline","og_description":"Stay stress-free while relocating! Use this moving checklist to plan how to move and settle into your new home with ease and confidence.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/how-to-move-game-plan-timeline\/","og_site_name":"The Rent. Blog : A Renter\u2019s Guide for Tips &amp; Advice","article_published_time":"2025-06-10T04:00:00+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-06-10T15:24:08+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1200,"height":800,"url":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/moving_couch-min.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Cam Hayes","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/how-to-move-game-plan-timeline\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/how-to-move-game-plan-timeline\/"},"author":{"name":"Cam Hayes","@id":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/5c2d1ef1019b5ff535a55bb2900094b5"},"headline":"How to Move: The Ultimate Game Plan and Timeline","datePublished":"2025-06-10T04:00:00+00:00","dateModified":"2025-06-10T15:24:08+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/how-to-move-game-plan-timeline\/"},"wordCount":3045,"commentCount":3,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/how-to-move-game-plan-timeline\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/moving_couch-min.jpg","keywords":["moving","moving costs"],"articleSection":["Moving"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/how-to-move-game-plan-timeline\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/how-to-move-game-plan-timeline\/","url":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/how-to-move-game-plan-timeline\/","name":"How to Move: The Ultimate Game Plan | Rent. Blog","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/how-to-move-game-plan-timeline\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/how-to-move-game-plan-timeline\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/moving_couch-min.jpg","datePublished":"2025-06-10T04:00:00+00:00","dateModified":"2025-06-10T15:24:08+00:00","description":"Stay stress-free while relocating! Use this moving checklist to plan how to move and settle into your new home with ease and confidence.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/how-to-move-game-plan-timeline\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/how-to-move-game-plan-timeline\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/how-to-move-game-plan-timeline\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/moving_couch-min.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/moving_couch-min.jpg","width":1200,"height":800},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/how-to-move-game-plan-timeline\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Rent. Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Moving","item":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/topic\/moving\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"How to Move: The Ultimate Game Plan and Timeline"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/","name":"The Rent. Blog : A Renter\u2019s Guide for Tips &amp; Advice","description":"","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/#organization","name":"Rent.","url":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Rent-On-White-Bkg.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Rent-On-White-Bkg.png","width":146,"height":50,"caption":"Rent."},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/5c2d1ef1019b5ff535a55bb2900094b5","name":"Cam Hayes","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/IMG-6453-1-150x150.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/IMG-6453-1-150x150.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/IMG-6453-1-150x150.jpg","caption":"Cam Hayes"},"description":"Cam is on Redfin's Content Marketing team and has 5 years of experience working in the marketing industry. She holds great passion for writing local content that inspires the next generation of home buyers. She is a Texas native, current Colorado resident and dog mom to her border collie, Eroz. Her dream home is an eco-friendly, contemporary-style house anywhere on the West Coast.","url":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/author\/cam-hayes\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6332","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/223"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6332"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6332\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":916052,"href":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6332\/revisions\/916052"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6333"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6332"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6332"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6332"},{"taxonomy":"topics","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topics?post=6332"},{"taxonomy":"renters","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/renters?post=6332"},{"taxonomy":"cities","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cities?post=6332"},{"taxonomy":"propertymanagement","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/propertymanagement?post=6332"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}