Your 8-week moving timeline

8 weeks out: set the plan

• Pick your moving date and a backup date.
• Get two or three written moving quotes, or reserve a rental truck.
• Start a moving folder (paper or digital) for quotes, receipts and contacts.
• Walk through each room and decide what to sell, donate or toss.

6 weeks out: book and sort

• Book your mover or truck and confirm the arrival window.
• Ask your new building or HOA about move-in rules, elevator reservations and truck parking.
• Start selling or donating what you won't move.
• Gather boxes, tape, markers and packing paper.

4 weeks out: start packing

• Pack rarely used rooms first: guest room, garage, holiday décor, books.
• Label every box with the room and a short list of contents.
• Schedule utility start and stop dates (see the change-of-address list).
• Submit your USPS change of address.

2 weeks out: confirm everything

• Confirm the mover's date, time and estimate in writing.
• Refill prescriptions and gather records from doctors, vets and schools.
• Use up frozen food and pantry items.
• Plan meals for the last few days without a full kitchen.

1 week out: final stretch

• Pack everything except daily essentials.
• Take apart furniture and bag the hardware, taped to the piece it belongs to.
• Pack a first-night box: sheets, towels, chargers, medications, toiletries, snacks, basic tools.
• In summer, plan an early start; Austin afternoons are hot.

Moving day

• Keep keys, documents, valuables and the first-night box with you.
• Walk the crew through the home and point out fragile items.
• Do a final walk-through of every closet, cabinet and the attic.
• Check the inventory before signing, and note any damage.

After you move

• Unpack the kitchen and bedrooms first.
• Update your driver license and vehicle registration if you moved to Texas.
• Change the locks or rekey, and test smoke detectors.
• Break down boxes for recycling, or give them to someone who's moving next.