Moving to a new residence takes a lot of planning—lots of things to be done. Thus, usually, you end up overlooking the most important things. To solve this issue, a printable moving checklist can be used. Though it’s a thing of the past, when it comes to organizing stuff and planning or executing a new home, nothing can be better than the printable moving checklist.
Check out this article to find out why you should print a moving checklist, how to make one, and what it looks like.
What’s a Printable Moving Checklist?
A printable moving checklist is a document to plan the move to any new residency. This checklist is designed to ensure that you don’t overlook the main things while moving your house.
The checklist has different categories of things to prepare for moving. They include pre-move preparations, packing strategies, logistics, coordination, and post-move tasks. All of these tasks are structurally well defined on the checklist; whichever you complete, you just put the checkmark on that. This way, you track what you’ve done and what is to be done.
Why Use Printable Moving Checklist?
Why should you use a printable moving checklist, though? It’s because of the following benefits that the checklist offers you.
- Organization and Structure: With a printable moving checklist, you can systematically plan your house move, ensuring you’re not neglecting anything. Because everything is well organized in front of you, and you can easily see what you’ve done and what things are left.
- Comprehensive Coverage: Every single aspect needed for the move, like pre-move preparations, packing, logistics, or pre-move tasks, is considered in the printable moving checklist.
- Customization and Personalization: Not all moving lists are made for your needs. So, you can easily customize the lists by adding or removing things from them.
- Accessible Reference: The printed-out checklist will be easily accessible to you so that you can mark it when the task is done. You can easily carry it while you’re preparing for the move so that you can keep marking the tasks.
- Stress Reduction: When you have a properly structured printable moving checklist in your hands, your stress level automatically decreases.
- Task Prioritization: Since all the tasks mentioned before you, you can now prioritize the most important aspects.
- Time Management: Using a Printable Moving Checklist, users can assign realistic timeframes for each task, which promotes effective time management. This prevents last-minute rushes and makes moving more manageable.
These are the reasons why you should use a printable moving checklist. What are the essentials that you must consider when moving? Let’s take a look at them now.
What are the essentials when moving?
When it comes to moving, some essential things must be considered. I’ve mentioned them below.
Packing Supplies:
- Boxes (various sizes)
- Packing tape
- Bubble wrap
- Packing paper
- Furniture covers
- Labels and markers
Cleaning Supplies:
- All-purpose cleaner
- Broom and dustpan
- Mop and bucket
- Trash bags
- Paper towels
Personal Essentials:
- Toiletries
- Medications
- Change of clothes
- Important documents (IDs, passports, insurance papers)
- First aid kit
Bedding and Linens:
- Bed sheets and pillowcases
- Towels
- Blankets
- Pillows
Kitchen Necessities:
- Plates, bowls, and utensils
- Pots and pans
- Dish soap and sponge
- Coffee maker or kettle
- Non-perishable snacks
Basic Tools:
- Screwdrivers
- Hammer
- Pliers
- Tape measure
- Utility knife
Technology Essentials:
- Chargers for phones, laptops, and other devices
- Power strips
- Flashlight and batteries
- Laptop or tablet
Important Documents:
- Moving contracts
- Lease or home purchase documents
- Personal identification
- Financial documents
Child and Pet Supplies:
- Baby supplies (diapers, formula, etc.)
- Pet food and bowls
- Leashes and carriers
- Favorite toys and comfort items
Snacks and Drinks:
- Bottled water
- Snacks for energy during the moving process
Essentials for the First Night:
- Bedding
- Toiletries
- Change of clothes
- Snacks
Utility Setup Information:
- Contact information for utility companies
- Service activation information
Moving Day Essentials:
- Cash for tips or unexpected expenses
- Phone and charger
- Important contact numbers
Navigation and Planning Tools:
- Maps or GPS devices
- Moving Checklist
- Any paperwork related to the move
Safety Essentials:
- Basic first aid kit
- Emergency contact information
- Fire extinguisher
These are all of the essentials that you must consider when you’re moving. However, what’s the process for packing a moving checklist? We’re going to learn just that in the next section. Keep reading.
How do you pack a moving list?
How do you pack a moving list? This is a step-by-step guide that teaches you how you can pack a moving list. You can make changes to it according to your preferences and needs.
Create a Moving List:
Create a moving list first on which you must add all the tasks you have to do before, during, and after the moving. These tasks include packing, sorting belongings, coordinating movers, and notifying utilities.
Organise by Categories:
Categorize your moving items with their relevant names like Packing, utilities, address changes, moving day essentials, etc.
Prioritise Tasks:
Now carefully read the checklist and see all of the important tasks so that you can prioritise them.
Make it Printable:
Whether it’s a simple document, spreadsheet, or a specialized moving checklist template, format your moving list to make it easy to print.
Print Multiple Copies:
Print out multiple copies of the checklist so you can take them around whenever you want and give them to any of your family members.
Keep A Printed Checklist:
You can keep a copy of the printed moving list with you during the move to make sure you don’t miss anything.
That’s how you can easily create a printable moving checklist.
Best printable moving checklist template You Can Follow:
If it’s your first time creating a printable moving checklist, you’ll have difficulty organizing things. To help you easily make your checklist, I’ve listed the best Printable moving checklist templates you can take inspiration from.
1. Vertex42 Detailed Moving Checklist:
This two-page checklist covers every aspect needed for a moving process, including booking movers, gathering supplies, updating utilities, and unpacking crucial belongings at your new place.
2. Clean Mama Free Printable Moving Checklist:
If you’re someone who likes visuals and a simpler checklist then this template is your way to go. This checklist includes packing for different rooms and doing important tasks and also gives you some helpful tips that make moving easier for you.
3. Making Lemonade Ultimate Collection of Moving Printables:
This is the most comprehensive moving checklist that you can follow. It includes a master to-do list, a moving timeline checklist, a utilities and services worksheet, a box inventory, a budget tracker, and a contact list. It has everything that you need to move your house.
4. Real Simple Moving Checklist:
Another printable moving checklist free option is Real Simple’s moving checklist, which is divided into manageable sections based on timeframes (8 weeks out, 4 weeks out, etc.) and covers all the essentials.
Final Words:
A printable Moving checklist can help you organize your move to a new residency. It allows you to stay organized and keep track of the tasks you’ve done or the remaining ones. It also lets you know what tasks to prioritize and what can be delayed.
Lastly, a moving checklist saves you time and reduces your tension. So, consider having one if you’re moving your house.