First, decide what kind of move you’re making
Write down the moving date or the range you’re working with, both addresses, who is doing the lifting, and any awkward constraints: stairs, elevators, narrow access, building booking windows, parking limits, pets, or keys that arrive later than the truck. These are the details that can change the plan and the price.
Make a rough inventory by room. You’re not creating a museum catalog; you’re helping yourself estimate volume and explain the shipment to a mover. Start with furniture and bulky items, then add boxes as you pack. The move volume planner can turn an early room count into a comparison number.
If you hire an interstate mover, compare the paperwork
For a move across state lines, get written estimates from multiple companies and make sure each estimate reflects the same inventory and requested services. FMCSA advises that estimates should be based on an in-person or virtual inspection of the household goods. A quick rate quote is not the same thing as a written estimate. Ask what is included, how accessorial charges work, and who you are contracting with: the carrier or a broker.
Read the estimate and the mover’s required consumer information carefully. Understand whether the estimate is binding or nonbinding, what services or inventory changes could alter it, when payment is due, and the mover’s responsibility for loss or damage. Do not sign documents with blank spaces or language you don’t understand. Keep copies of anything you sign.
Make a small timeline you’ll actually use
- As soon as the date is likely: confirm move-out and move-in logistics, reserve elevators or loading areas, and ask about parking or building forms.
- Before booking: compare written estimates, check registration where applicable, verify what services you need, and take a quick room-by-room inventory.
- As you pack: label boxes with destination room and a short contents note; photograph electronics setup and anything valuable or fragile.
- The week before: confirm arrival window, access instructions, payment method, contact numbers, and what stays with you.
- The day before: set aside medications, documents, chargers, keys, snacks, and the things you need before the first box gets opened.
Keep a “move folder”
A paper folder or a notes app can hold estimates, receipts, inventory, building instructions, utility account details, and photos of the home’s condition. Back up important records. The folder should be easy to reach, which means it should not be packed inside a box labeled “misc kitchen.”
Give yourself a little uncertainty budget
Some dates slide. A closing may be delayed, a delivery window may be broad, or the amount of stuff may surprise you (the closet has been keeping secrets). If timing is tight, ask about storage-in-transit or short-term storage before the move. Price the extra day or week early rather than trying to solve it while standing next to a loaded truck.
For a printable action sequence, use FMCSA’s moving checklist. It is aimed at interstate household-goods moves; adapt the parts that fit your situation.
Updated November 2026 · Educational information. Confirm current rules and contract terms with the relevant agency and provider.