Ultimate Home Moving Guidelines

• October 11th, 2025
• Posted in Residential Moving

In this guide, the professional TriState area residential moving service team here at Noah’s Ark Moving and Storage will walk you through everything you need to do before moving into your new home – from planning and packing to final preparations. Whether you’re moving across town or across the country, this checklist will help make your move as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Make a Moving Plan

Before you start packing boxes, it’s important to create a clear moving plan. A timeline will help you stay organized and give structure to your move. It should include key dates and tasks, from booking movers to packing deadlines.

Things to include in your moving plan:

• Choose your move-in date and work backwards from there.
• Set dates for:
  • Starting to pack
  • Hiring a moving company
  • Canceling services at your current home
  •  Factor in any special moving needs (e.g., fragile items, large furniture, or pets).

Alongside your timeline, create a moving budget. Knowing your costs upfront will prevent surprises and help you choose a moving company that fits your financial plan.

Your budget should account for:

• Moving company fees
• Packing materials (boxes, tape, bubble wrap)
• Cleaning services or supplies
• Travel costs, if applicable

Declutter and Downsize

Before you begin packing, take time to sort through your belongings. Moving is the perfect opportunity to declutter and reduce the number of items you’ll be bringing into your new home.

Benefits of downsizing:

• Save time and money on packing and moving
• Make unpacking and organizing easier
• Create more space in your new home

How to declutter effectively:

• Go room by room and separate items into categories:
  •  Keep
  • Donate
  • Sell
  • Throw away

• Donate gently used items to local charities.
• Host a garage sale or list items online.
• Responsibly dispose of anything broken or unusable.

Start Packing and Label Everything

Once you’ve decluttered, it’s time to start packing. Packing carefully is essential to protecting your belongings during the move. The earlier you start, the less stressful it will be as moving day approaches.

Tips for efficient packing:

• Use high-quality boxes and packing materials
• Wrap fragile items in bubble wrap or packing paper.
• Don’t overfill boxes—keep them manageable in weight.
• Label each box with:
  • Contents
  • The room it belongs in

Creating a packing inventory can also help keep track of everything you’re moving and will come in handy if something goes missing or gets damaged.

Update Your Address and Forward Mail

Changing your address is an important step that often gets overlooked. You’ll want to make sure all your mail and important documents are sent to your new address to avoid any delays or missed bills.

Steps to update your address:

• Change your address with the USPS (online or at your local post office).
• Notify your:
  • Bank
  • Credit card companies
  • Employer
  • Insurance providers
  • Let friends and family know your new address.

Forwarding your mail will ensure you don’t miss any important deliveries while your change of address is processed.

Set Up Utilities and Services

Before move-in day, make sure your new home has all the necessary services connected. No one wants to arrive at their new house without electricity, water, or internet.

Utilities and services to set up:

• Electricity
• Gas
• Water and sewer
• Trash and recycling
• Internet and cable

Call each provider to schedule service start dates around your move-in day. If your new home has any special systems, like a septic tank or private well, be sure to understand how they work and arrange for maintenance if needed.

Do a Walkthrough of Your New Home

Before moving your furniture and boxes into your new home, do a thorough walkthrough. This helps identify any issues that need attention and gives you a chance to familiarize yourself with the space.

What to check during your walkthrough:

• Test lights, outlets, and appliances
• Look for signs of damage or needed repairs.
• Check plumbing for leaks or drainage issues.
• Make sure heating and cooling systems work properly.

Knowing the layout ahead of time also helps you plan where your furniture and belongings will go.