Apartment Moving Checklist

There are many steps involved in the apartment moving process. The decluttering, packing, etc., can be quite overwhelming.

In order to properly understand and tackle all of these steps, you need to use a checklist. A checklist will help you go through all the essential activities one by one so that you don’t miss anything.

In this blog post, we’re going to give you a complete moving checklist, broken down into various time frames, such as what to do with 100 days remaining in the move, 75 days remaining in the move, and so forth.

We’ve also prepared a downloadable/printable checklist for you. You can click on the button below to save it to your device and print it. As you go along the process, you can check off the boxes one by one.

Let’s get started.

100 Days Till Moving Day

Planning, research, and decision-making

At this point, there will be about 3 months to go to your move. This is prime time to do your planning and research, as well as some final decision-making.

Here are the exact steps that you need to take.

• Decide on your moving date and submit written notice to your landlord if required by your lease.
• Create a moving binder or digital folder for estimates, receipts, contracts, and notes.
• Research moving companies, storage options, or truck rentals.
• Build a realistic moving budget that includes supplies, labor, insurance, and deposits.

Here are a few tips to perform the aforementioned steps better:

How to research moving companies properly?

Start by shortlisting movers that operate in your city and have experience with apartment moves specifically. Apartment moves come with tight stairwells, elevators, parking rules, and time windows, so general experience matters less than relevant experience.

Check reviews across multiple platforms rather than relying on a single source. Look for patterns; consistent complaints about delays or damaged items matter more than one-off bad reviews. Pay close attention to how the company responds to negative feedback, because that often reflects how they handle problems on moving day.

Always verify credentials. Confirm licensing, registration numbers, and whether the company is authorized for local or long-distance moves depending on your situation. Avoid movers who refuse to provide documentation or give vague answers.

Request written estimates from at least three companies. Ideally, these should be based on an in-home or virtual walkthrough rather than a quick phone quote. Ask what the estimate includes, what could increase the price, and how overtime or heavy items are handled.

Finally, trust clarity over charm. A reliable moving company explains its process clearly, puts everything in writing, and does not pressure you to book immediately.

How to build a realistic moving budget?

Here is how you can build a realistic moving budget:

Start with the fixed costs. These include the moving company or truck rental, packing supplies, cleaning services, and any building-related fees such as elevator reservations or parking permits. These numbers form the foundation of your budget.

Next, account for variable costs. Fuel, tolls, tips, meals on moving day, and unexpected packing needs often get overlooked but add up quickly. Add a buffer rather than trying to estimate these perfectly.

Factor in overlap expenses. This could include a few days of double rent, utility overlaps, temporary storage, or short-term accommodation if move-in and move-out dates do not align perfectly.

Finally, add a contingency cushion of around ten to fifteen percent. Moves rarely go exactly as planned. A buffer ensures small surprises do not derail your finances or force rushed decisions.

Evaluate your belongings

After that, you need to evaluate your belongings and decide on the items that you’ll take with you and the ones you’ll leave behind.

• Start decluttering and sorting items into keep, donate, sell, recycle, or discard.
• Plan a sale or list unwanted items online.
• Measure large furniture to confirm it fits in the new apartment.

Tips for Decluttering

When you still have around 100 days before moving day, the goal is to declutter gradually and deliberately. This prevents last-minute pressure. It also helps you avoid packing items out of habit or guilt. Early decisions give you enough time to sell or donate responsibly.

• Start with low-emotional items such as storage areas, extra linens, old paperwork, and unused kitchen tools.
• Use clear categories. Keep, donate, sell, recycle, or discard. Place every item into one of them.
• Apply the one-year rule. If you have not used an item in the past year, it likely does not need to move with you.
• Declutter one room at a time. This keeps the process manageable and makes progress visible.
• Be realistic about furniture size and layout. Measure bulky items early. Let go of pieces that will not fit or serve a purpose in the new space.
• Schedule donation drop-offs or online listings immediately. This prevents clutter from building up again.

75 Days Till Moving Day

Lock in logistics

This is the part where you act according to the research that you’ve conducted and lock in the logistics. Here is what you need to do.

• Book your moving company, truck, or portable storage container.
• Review the new lease.
• Contact utility providers to schedule shut-off at your current place and activation at the new one.

Organize paperwork

It’s also important to have all your paperwork in one place so that there is no scramble when it comes to finding it.

• Gather important documents such as IDs, lease agreements, moving contracts, etc., all in one place.

50 Days Till Moving Day

Start packing early

Packing early and packing properly are important for a smooth move.

• Purchase or collect packing supplies like boxes, tape, padding, and labels.
• Begin packing rarely used and seasonal items.
• Clearly label each box with contents and destination room.

Here are some additional tips to keep in mind for a smooth packing experience:

• Use sturdy boxes that can handle weight without bulging or collapsing. Avoid overloading large boxes, especially with heavy items.
• Pack similar items together and avoid mixing rooms in a single box. This makes unpacking faster and more organized.
• Wrap fragile items individually and cushion empty spaces to prevent movement during transit.
• Keep important items like documents, medications, chargers, and essentials out of packed boxes.
• Seal boxes securely and reinforce the bottoms with extra tape for added strength.
• Mark fragile boxes clearly and indicate which side should face up.

Update your address

Next up, you need to update your address at your place of employment as well as with your bank. This can take some time, so it’s better to get started on time.

Here is what you need to do:

• Submit a change of address with the post office.
• Update banks, subscriptions, employers, and other important contacts.

25 Days Till Moving Day

Increase packing pace

The packing process will already have started, but when you have only 25 days left to go, you need to quicken the pace a bit.

• Pack everyday items you can live without for a few weeks.
• Separate and protect fragile or high-value items.
• Prepare a first-night essentials box with toiletries, clothes, chargers, linens, and basic kitchen items.

Confirm building details

These steps are simple confirmations that can help smoothen the process even more and give you peace of mind.

• Check move-out and move-in rules for both buildings.
• Reserve elevators, loading docks, or parking spaces if required.
• Reconfirm moving day details with your movers.
  

10 Days Till Moving Day

Final preparation

At this point, you will need to make the final preparations with your packing/preparation.

• Pack nearly everything except daily essentials.
• Empty, clean, and defrost major appliances.
• Double-check utility transfer dates.

Final walkthrough

• Inspect every room, closet, and cabinet in your current apartment.
• Schedule and complete a walkthrough with your landlord to review the apartment’s condition and resolve any concerns before move-out.

3 Days Till Moving Day

Moving day readiness

With 3 days to go, you need to make sure that you’re ready to go when moving day arrives. To do that, you should:

• Confirm arrival time and contact details with movers.
• Set aside a personal bag for valuables, documents, medications, and electronics.
• Finish packing suitcases and remaining essentials.
• Complete the cleaning or ensure a cleaning service is scheduled.

Moving Day (0 Days Remaining)

Execution

When the movers arrive and the transportation gets underway, remember to:

• Supervise loading and verify inventory.
• Keep keys, documents, and valuables with you.
• Do one last sweep of the apartment before handing over keys.

Arrival

After all the moving is done and you’re at your new place, start off by:

• Coordinating with building management at the new apartment.
• Directing movers on box placement by room.
• Unpacking essentials first.

After Move-In

Settling in

• Confirm all utilities and internet are working.
• Unpack room by room at a steady pace.
• Change locks if allowed or necessary.
• Introduce yourself to neighbors and building staff.

And that’s it. That completes our apartment moving checklist.

If you are moving to NYC or moving out of NYC and are looking for expert movers to help you out, you can get in touch with us here at Dumbo Moving and Storage. We’d love to be of assistance.