8-6 weeks
Book the mover, set the date, start decluttering.
Move planning guide
A calmer move starts eight weeks out.
Work backwards from move day and the stressful decisions land early, while there is still room to change them. Use this timeline as your running list.
4-2 weeks
Utilities, address changes, packing begins.
Final week
Essentials, labels, parking, and the walkthrough.
Eight to six weeks before
Decisions now save money later.
- Request quotes and compare what each includes
- Book your date - end of month fills first
- Sort into keep, donate, sell, and discard
- Build a room-by-room inventory
- Check both buildings' move rules and COI needs
Four to two weeks before
Turn the plan into visible progress.
- Confirm the written scope with your coordinator
- Start packing storage, garage, and low-use rooms
- Schedule utility start and stop dates
- File your address change and update key accounts
- Arrange care for children and pets on move day
- Reserve service elevators and loading zones
The final week
Everything from here is about access and essentials.
- Pack an essentials box for the first 24 hours
- Label cartons by room and contents, not just room
- Confirm parking, permits, and elevator windows
- Defrost the fridge and drain garden equipment
- Set aside documents, medication, and valuables to carry yourself
Move day
Be present for the start and the finish.
- Walk the crew lead through both properties
- Point out fragile and do-not-load items
- Keep phone, chargers, and payment method with you
- Do a final empty-room check before sign-off
- Confirm placement and reassembly at the new home
Trained crews
Uniformed movers, padded and wrapped furniture, and a written estimate before anything gets loaded.
Get my quoteGood to know
Moving Checklist questions
When should I book movers in the Bay Area?+
Four to six weeks ahead for month-end or summer dates; two to three weeks is usually workable mid-month. Shorter notice is often possible - just ask.
What goes in the essentials box?+
Bedding, towels, toiletries, chargers, basic tools, a change of clothes, coffee, pet and child supplies, and any medication - kept with you rather than on the truck.
How many boxes will I need?+
Roughly 20-30 for a studio, 40-60 for a two-bedroom, and 80 or more for a family home. Professional packing removes the guesswork entirely.
What can movers not transport?+
Flammables, propane, paint, solvents, ammunition, and perishables. Keep cash, jewelry, passports, and irreplaceable documents with you.
Start at the top of the list
Tick off the first item: book the movers.
Get a detailed written quote now and the rest of the eight weeks gets a lot easier to plan.