A good plan is the difference between a smooth move and a stressful one. Use this week-by-week moving checklist to stay on track, whether you’re moving across Greenville or across the country.
8 weeks before your move
- Set your moving date and a rough budget.
- Get quotes from licensed and insured movers and read recent reviews.
- Start a moving folder (paper or digital) for quotes, receipts and important documents.
- If you have kids, contact the new school about enrollment and records.
6 weeks before
- Book your mover. Weekends and the end of the month fill up first in the Upstate.
- Start decluttering room by room. Sell, donate or toss what you don’t want to move.
- Measure large furniture and doorways at your new home.
- Collect boxes, tape, markers and packing paper, or ask your mover about packing services.
4 weeks before
- Begin packing rooms you use least: guest rooms, storage, seasonal items and decor.
- Label every box with the room it goes to and a short list of contents.
- File a change of address with USPS.
- Schedule utility shut-off at your old home and set-up at the new one (power, water, gas, internet and trash).
- Book time off work for moving day.
2 weeks before
- Confirm the date, arrival window and details with your moving company.
- Update your address with your bank, insurance, employer, subscriptions and the SC DMV.
- Use up frozen and perishable food.
- Arrange parking for the moving truck at both homes. Check apartment or HOA rules for move-in times and elevator reservations.
- Refill prescriptions and transfer them to a pharmacy near your new home if needed.
1 week before
- Pack everything except daily essentials.
- Disassemble furniture you plan to take apart yourself and bag screws with the piece they belong to.
- Pack an “open first” box: phone chargers, toilet paper, paper towels, basic tools, medications, snacks, a change of clothes and bedding for the first night.
- Take photos of electronics wiring before unplugging them.
The day before
- Defrost and clean the refrigerator.
- Set aside valuables, important documents and jewelry to move yourself.
- Get cash or a card ready for tips if you plan to tip your crew.
- Get a good night’s sleep.
Moving day
- Be home when the crew arrives and walk them through the house.
- Point out fragile items and anything that’s not going.
- Do a final walk-through of every room, closet and cabinet before the truck leaves.
- At the new home, tell the crew where each room is so boxes and furniture land in the right place.
After you move
- Unpack the kitchen and bedrooms first.
- Check that utilities and internet are working.
- Update your driver’s license and vehicle registration with the SC DMV if you’re new to South Carolina.
- Get to know your new neighborhood. Every town in the Upstate has its own favorites, from BridgeWay Station in Mauldin to Heritage Park in Simpsonville and downtown Greer.
Want a hand with the heavy lifting?
Goodfellas Moving is a family-owned, licensed and insured mover based in Mauldin, SC. We handle local moves, long-distance moves, apartment moves and packing across Greenville, Simpsonville, Greer, Easley and the rest of the Upstate.
Get your free moving quote or call (864) 823-8571.