Moving · Planning
Moving checklist timeline.
Enter your move date. See how many days are left and the date to do each task, including booking utilities and the change of address.
Your move
Countdown and checklist
Pick your move date.
When to do what before a move
This is a dated checklist counted back from your move date, from eight weeks out to two weeks after. The timings are a common rule of thumb for an ordinary household move, not a published standard; the right schedule depends on your lease or sale dates, your movers' availability and how much you own.
Worked example. Today is 2026-10-08 and the move is 2026-12-01: that is 54 days, or 7 weeks and 5 days. Eight weeks before is 2026-10-06, so that task shows as already past, and the next task still ahead is: book the movers or reserve the truck, and decide what goes to storage (2026-10-20). With under eight weeks you start late, so do the earliest undone tasks first.
Change of address. USAGov says to tell the post office, and to change your address with federal and state services such as taxes, Social Security, veterans benefits, immigration, driver's licence and vehicle registration, and voter registration. The USPS says standard mail forwarding lasts 12 months. In Canada, check the equivalent steps with Canada Post and your province.
Utilities. Book the stop date at the old address and the start date at the new one for the same week, and ask each provider how much notice it needs; that varies by company.
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should I start planning a move?
The common advice is about eight weeks, which is where this list starts. A short-notice move works too: do the nearest items first.
When should I set up utilities at the new place?
This list suggests booking them three weeks before, as a rule of thumb. Each provider sets its own notice, so ask when you call.
Who needs my new address?
The post office, your bank and card issuers, your employer, insurers, subscriptions and government services. USAGov lists federal and state agencies to tell, including taxes, Social Security, veterans benefits, immigration, licence and vehicle registration, and voter registration.
Does the list know my lease notice period?
No. Check your lease or sale agreement for notice and move-out rules; the list only reminds you at five weeks.
Sources
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Scope
Task timing is a rule of thumb. Legal deadlines (lease notice, licence and registration changes) depend on where you live; check them with the authority or your contract. Planning aid, not professional, legal or financial advice.