The Ultimate Step-by-Step Moving Guide

Moving to a new home doesn't have to be stressful. At Cary Moving, we help families and businesses transition smoothly every day. We designed this comprehensive checklist and expert guide to help you stay organized, save time, and eliminate the chaos from your upcoming move.

6 to 8 Weeks Before You Move

  • Set your moving budget: Factor in professional movers, truck rentals, packing supplies, and potential travel costs.
  • Declutter room by room: Group items to sell, donate, keep, or trash. Moving less stuff cuts your packing time and saves you money.
  • Research moving options: Get written estimates from professional moving companies or reserve a rental truck early to secure your date.
  • Create a moving folder: Keep physical or digital copies of quotes, receipts, and important records in one secure place.


3 to 4 Weeks Before You Move

  • Gather packing supplies: Collect sturdy boxes, heavy-duty packing tape, bubble wrap, and permanent markers.
  • Begin packing non-essentials: Pack off-season clothing, books, decor, and specialty kitchen items first.
  • File a change of address: Visit the official USPS Change of Address site to forward your mail. The official online verification fee is $1.25; avoid third-party scam sites charging more.
  • Notify important institutions: Update your address with banks, credit card companies, insurance providers, and employers.
  • Schedule utility transfers: Arrange for your electricity, gas, water, internet, and trash services to stop at your old home and start at your new one.


1 to 2 Weeks Before You Move

  • Label your boxes clearly: Write the destination room and a summary of contents on the top and sides of every box.
  • Pack an essentials box: Set aside toiletries, a change of clothes, chargers, basic tools, and toilet paper for moving day so you don't have to dig through taped boxes.
  • Defrost your refrigerator: Empty, clean, and completely dry your fridge and freezer at least 24 hours before moving day.
  • Keep valuables with you: Personally carry your jewelry, passports, birth certificates, and essential medications instead of putting them on a truck.
  • Confirm the details: Double-check arrival times and addresses with your moving crew or truck rental service.

Moving Day

Protect Your Floors

Lay down cardboard or plastic runners to prevent dirt and scratches on high-traffic walkways.


Do a Final Walkthrough

Check all closets, cabinets, the attic, and the garage to ensure nothing is left behind.


Lock Up Securely

Shut off all lights, lock the windows, and secure the doors before handing over the keys.


Inspect Your New Home

Check that all major appliances and utilities are working properly before the movers begin unloading

Pro Tips for Packing Fragile Items

Protect your delicate belongings and avoid heartbreak on move-in day with these professional packing strategies:


Use The Right Boxes

Heavy items like books and heavy dishware belong in small, sturdy boxes. Save large boxes strictly for light, bulky items.


Layer The Bottom

Line the bottom of every box with a 3-inch cushion of crumpled packing paper or bubble wrap before adding items.


Pack Dishes Vertically

Never stack plates flat. Wrap them individually in bubble wrap or packing paper, and stand them on their edges like vinyl records to absorb shocks.


Fill Empty Spaces

Gaps inside a box cause items to shift and break. Fill all empty pockets tightly with dish towels, socks, or crumpled paper.


Do The Shake Test

Close the box and shake it gently. If you hear items shifting, add more padding before taping it shut.


Label Clearly

Write "FRAGILE" and "THIS SIDE UP" on multiple sides of the box in bright red marker.

Moving Safely With Kids and Pets

Changes in routine can be tough on little ones and animals. Use these tips to keep them safe and comfortable during the chaos:

For Kids


  • Involve them early: Let older kids pack their own "special box" with their favorite toys and decorations, and allow them to decorate the outside of it.
  • Keep a routine: Try to stick to normal meal times and bedtimes as much as possible throughout the entire moving week.
  • Set up their room first: On move-in day, prioritize unpacking your child's bedroom first, so they immediately feel a sense of comfort and familiarity.
  • Arrange a sitter: If possible, have kids stay with a babysitter or relative on the actual moving day to keep them away from heavy lifting.

For Pets


  • Update their microchips: Make sure your pet's ID tags and microchip registry reflect your new phone number and address before moving day.
  • Keep them contained: On moving day, keep pets in a quiet, closed room (like a bathroom) with water and their favorite bed so they don't get spooked and slip out the front door.
  • Pack a pet overnight bag: Keep food, bowls, waste bags, litter, a leash, and familiar toys easily accessible for the first few days.
  • Explore the new home slowly: Keep cats in one dedicated room for the first few days to help them acclimate, and keep dogs on a leash during their first few walks around the new neighborhood.