Portland Moving Day Checklist

Our professional movers offer moving and packing services throughout Portland, Oregon, and we know what it takes to plan a move that goes smoothly. We have compiled this moving checklist, from two months out to your first days in the new home, to make sure your move is a breeze. Two months is the minimum planning window we recommend, and it matters even more in summer, when moving dates in Portland book up fast.

Two Months Before The Move

1. Book Your Movers – Get written estimates from at least two or three licensed movers, ideally after an in-home or virtual walkthrough, and reserve your moving date.
2. Start A Moving File – Keep estimates, contracts, receipts, and inventory lists in one folder or one place on your phone so nothing gets lost.
3. Take Inventory And Start Decluttering – Write down what you own and begin with the basement, garage, attic, and other storage areas, since they take the longest to sort.
4. Plan Your New Layout – Sketch a floor plan of the new home so you know where furniture and appliances will go before moving day.
5. Request School Records – Ask your children’s current school how to transfer records to the new school.
6. Get The New Home Ready – Line up painters, plumbers, carpenters, or other contractors so work is done before you arrive, and plan to change the locks on every exterior door.

Six Weeks Before The Move

1. Look Into Storage – If there is a gap between move-out and move-in, or the new place is smaller, arrange storage now.
2. Gather Medical Records – Ask your doctors, dentist, and veterinarian for records and referrals, and check that your health plan covers providers near your new home.
3. Appraise Valuables – Have antiques, art, and other high-value items appraised and photographed so you know what to insure for the move.
4. Use Up What Cannot Move – Start using up frozen food and cleaning supplies, since most movers cannot transport perishables, aerosols, or flammable liquids.

Five Weeks Before The Move

1. Create A Master List – This should contain everything that needs to be completed including cancelling and setting up electrical, water, sewage, natural gas and garbage services at the new home. Also be sure to include a list of supplies that you will need for the move. If you have any pianos or large equipment that will require a specialized team or heavy machinery to move make note of it on your master list.
2. Clean Out The Closets – Closets can get cluttered with old stuff and you will probably end up throwing away a lot of it. Also clean out drawers, shelves, cupboards, chests, etc. and divide everything into four groups: Stuff you will throw away, stuff you will recycle, stuff you will give away or sell at a yard sale, and stuff you will keep.
3. Have A Garage Sale – Sell everything that you put into the yard sale group. Everything that you don’t sell, give to a Goodwill or Salvation Army donation center.
4. Change Your Address – Set up mail forwarding with USPS, and update your address for subscriptions, banks, credit cards, and your employer. Begin the process for changing address on driver’s license, passport, etc.
5. Notify Utilities – Contact the cable company, alarm company, lawn maintenance, utilities, etc. and notify them about your new address and moving dates.
6. Eat All The Food – Well not all of it. But eat as much of the food you have as you can before you move so you don’t have to move it. If possible avoid making huge grocery runs so that your cupboards will slowly empty themselves over the next few weeks.
7. Contact Insurance – Get a hold of your insurance provider, and setup a policy for your new home. Make sure that the old policy is set to cancel the day after moving day. Ask what coverage you have for your belongings while they are in transit.
8. Research – If you haven’t already researched the schools in the new neighborhood, do it now. You will need to register your children at nearby schools at this point in time.
9. Call The Cleaners – Have all of your upholstery and rugs cleaned. Book window and gutter cleaners before you move.
10. Confirm The Movers – If you have not booked a moving company yet, do it now. If you are doing the packing, purchase boxes and other packaging materials that may be needed from a moving supply store.
11. Start Packing – Don’t pack up everything since you will need a lot of it over the next few weeks. Make sure you pack up things that won’t be heavily used in the next few weeks. Store all of the boxes out of the way but in a place that’s easily accessible. A family room or guest room is a great idea. Avoid stashing them in the basement or attic, that will make your move take longer (if you hire movers that means it will cost you more) and annoy anyone helping you move.
12. Visit The New Place – If possible visit your new home to measure doorways and find any potential choke points for your furniture. Having a plan going into moving day is critical, if you don’t know what you’re up against, it can be a losing battle.
13. Plan Updates – Schedule painters, and any other contractors that you will need to make updates to the new place.

Three to Four Weeks Before The Move

1. Schedule Utility Shutoff And Setup – Have services at the old home end the day after you leave, and have them start at the new home the day before you arrive. Ask for refunds on any service deposits.
2. Check Parking And Permits – If the truck needs to park on the street, find out whether you need a moving truck parking permit in Portland, and apply early.
3. Plan For Pets And Plants – Arrange how pets and houseplants will travel, since they should ride with you rather than on the truck.
4. Collect Important Documents – Gather birth certificates, passports, financial and legal papers, insurance documents, and medical, school, and veterinary records into one folder that travels with you.
5. Dispose Of Hazardous Items – Safely get rid of paint, propane, gasoline, and other flammable or hazardous items that movers cannot carry.
6. Update Vehicle Registration – If you are moving to another state, look up how and when to transfer your car’s registration and driver’s license.

Two Weeks Before The Move

1. Keep Records – Make sure you keep records of all receipts and other expenses associated with moving. You can claim them come tax time and it might save you a few bucks.
2. Keep Packing – Pack up everything but your clothes and toiletries for the coming week or two. Label all of your boxes clearly to minimize tasks and confusion on moving day.
3. Book An Elevator – This might sound silly if you’ve never lived in a high rise apartment or condominium. It can make the move so much easier when you have a reserved elevator for the move. Also your new neighbors won’t hate you for hogging up all the elevators with your move. Many Portland buildings also require a certificate of insurance from your mover, so ask the building manager early.
4. Make Repairs – If you are selling your home this is a great time to deal with those repairs required for the sale.
5. Tie Up Loose Ends – Return borrowed items, pick up anything you have loaned out, and collect dry cleaning or items left for repair.
6. Refill Prescriptions – Transfer prescriptions to a pharmacy near your new home and keep enough medication on hand to get through the move.
7. Service Your Car – If you are driving a long distance, get an oil change and check the tires and fluids before the trip.

One Week Before The Move

1. Clean The Refrigerator – By this point you should probably have very little frozen or refrigerated items. If you do, pack them up in a cooler the night before the move and make sure they are transported securely to your new place.
2. Start Cleaning Everything – Clean the house as much as you can to avoid having to clean the whole thing on moving day.
3. Finish Packing – Pack up everything but the essentials and have extra boxes or luggage handy for the last few articles of clothing that you will surely want to wear during the following week.
4. Arrange Day Care – Arrange to have your pets and/or small children looked after for the day. Moving is stressful, you don’t want to deal with the headaches of a dog gone missing or a kid getting hurt.
5. Pack An Essentials Bag – Set aside ID, keys, chargers, medications, toiletries, a change of clothes, basic tools, paper plates, and snacks so they ride with you, not on the truck.

The Day Before The Move

1. Confirm The Arrival Time – Call your movers to confirm when the crew will arrive, and confirm any travel reservations.
2. Defrost The Freezer – Empty, defrost, and dry the refrigerator and freezer, and leave the doors propped open.
3. Drain Equipment – Drain gas and oil from lawn mowers and other power equipment, and empty garden hoses.
4. Prepare Appliances – Disconnect washers, dryers, and other major appliances, or confirm that your movers will handle it.
5. Pack An Open-First Box – Fill a clearly labeled box with what you will need first at the new home: bedding, towels, toilet paper, a shower curtain, and basic kitchen items.
6. Set Aside Payment – Have your agreed payment method ready for the movers, plus cash for tips if you plan to give them.

The Day Of The Move

1. Keep Your Wits About You – It’s going to be tough, but you can do it. And once you’re all moved in you will feel a wave of euphoria rush over you.
2. Guide The Movers – Make sure the movers are aware of specialty items, where to place your furniture, and make yourself available for their questions. Someone should stay at the old home until the truck is loaded.
3. Record Meter Readings – Write down or photograph the utility meter readings at the old home.
4. Do A Final Walkthrough – Check every closet, cabinet, drawer, and the garage before you lock up and hand over the keys.
5. Relax – Download a print friendly PDF version of our moving day checklist for future reference.

Delivery Day And Your First Week

1. Be There For Unloading – Direct the crew to the right rooms and check items off your inventory as they come off the truck.
2. Note Any Damage – Write down any missing or damaged items on the paperwork before you sign it.
3. Pay As Agreed – Pay your movers using the method set out in your estimate or contract.
4. Settle In – Unpack the open-first box, make the beds, and confirm that utilities, internet, and mail forwarding are working.

Contact Redefyne Movers

If you are interested in moving in and around Portland, contact Redefyne Movers to help with your packing and moving services.