Let’s be honest: moving is overwhelming. Whether you’re making a Jacksonville, Florida move across the St. Johns River or coming here from across the country, the to-do list feels like it’s a mile long. It’s chaotic. We get it.
You’re not just packing boxes; you’re coordinating schedules, changing your entire life’s admin, and trying not to forget that one, tiny, important thing. (Like the power. You don’t want to move in the dark.)
The antidote to that chaos isn’t magic. It’s a plan. This moving checklist is your step-by-step timeline, your roadmap from “This is too much” to “We’re home.”
Why A Moving Checklist Is Your Best Tool
Think of planning a move like building a house. You wouldn’t just show up with a pile of lumber and start nailing boards together, would you? You’d need a blueprint.
A moving checklist is your blueprint. It breaks down a massive, stressful project into small, scannable, and, most importantly, doable tasks. It’s the difference between proactive planning and last-minute panic.
This 8-week moving checklist organizes your tasks by priority, making sure you do the right things at the right time. It helps you manage your budget, your time, and your sanity. Following this timeline is the single best moving tip we can give.
Two Months Out: Planning And Booking
With eight weeks to go, you’re in the “big picture” phase. This is all about research and making the big decisions.
First, set a firm moving date. This date will anchor your entire moving timeline. Once you have it, your top priority is booking your moving help.
This is our number one item on the hiring movers checklist. Reputable companies, especially here in Jacksonville, get booked weeks or even months in advance. This is especially true if you’re moving at the end of the month or during the peak summer season. Start getting quotes now.
This is also the time to create your “moving binder” or a dedicated digital folder. This is where you’ll keep all your quotes, receipts, contracts, and checklists. It will be your command center for the next two months.
Six Weeks Out: Decluttering And Supplies
Now the real work begins. It’s time to lighten your load.
Decluttering before moving is a non-negotiable step. Why on earth would you pay to move, pack, and unpack things you don’t even want? Be ruthless. Go room by room and sort everything into three piles: Keep, Donate, and Toss.
Once you know what’s actually coming with you, you can order supplies. And trust us, you need more boxes and tape than you think. Way more. Get a variety of box sizes, packing tape (buy the good stuff), bubble wrap, packing paper, and permanent markers.
Four Weeks Out: Utilities And Change Of Address
Welcome to the admin month. This is the what to do before moving part that everyone dreads, but it’s vital.
First, transfer utilities. Call your current providers (and your new ones, like JEA here in Jacksonville) to schedule your service stop and start dates. Pro tip: Schedule your old utilities to be turned off the day after you move out, and your new ones to be turned on the day before you move in.
Second, the official change of address. Go to USPS.com and fill out the online form. But don’t stop there. You need to notify everyone:
- Banks and credit card companies
- Loan providers (student, car, mortgage)
- Your employer’s HR department
- Subscription services (Amazon, streaming, magazines)
- Your doctor, dentist, and pharmacy
- Your insurance providers (car, health, home)
Two Weeks Out: Serious Packing
The countdown is on. It’s time to get serious about that packing checklist. Start with the items you use least.
This means packing up books, off-season clothing, guest room linens, formal china, and decorative items. As you pack, label everything. Don’t just write “Kitchen.” Write “Kitchen: Pots and Pans” or “Kitchen: Everyday Glasses.”
Label the top and at least one side of every box. This will save your sanity when you’re moving into a new house and looking for the coffee maker.
One Week Out: Final Confirmations
This is the week for tying up loose ends. It’s all about confirming, cleaning, and packing your “go-bag.”
First, call your moving company. Confirm the arrival time, the new and old addresses, and the cell phone numbers you’ll use on moving day. (We always appreciate this confirmation call!)
Second, pack your first night box. This is the single most important box you will pack. It’s also called a packing essentials box, and it stays with you, not on the truck.
What’s in it? Think about your first 24 hours. You’ll want toilet paper, paper towels, a box cutter, hand soap, phone chargers, medications, a basic toolkit (screwdriver, hammer), and maybe a coffee pot and mugs.
Start cleaning your old place as rooms become empty. You’ll thank yourself later.
Moving Day Essentials
It’s here! Your main job today is to be the project manager, not a lifter (that’s our job).
Keep your first night box and your “Moving Binder” with all your important documents (like the moving contract, or Bill of Lading) in your car.
One of our top moving day tips is to do one final, slow walkthrough of your empty home. Check every single closet, cabinet, and drawer. Look in the dishwasher, the attic, and the garage. Once you’re sure it’s empty, you’re ready to lock up and head to your new home.
Settling Into Your New Jacksonville Home
Congratulations, you made it! But your moving out checklist has one final part: the moving in part.
Don’t try to unpack everything at once. You will burn out. Focus on the “big three”:
- Set up the beds.
- Unpack the bathroom essentials.
- Get the kitchen functional enough to make coffee and a simple meal.
Everything else can wait. Order a pizza, put your feet up, and give yourself a break. The rest of the unpacking can happen over the next few days.