Packing Timeline For Moving: Your Own Packing Checklist:

Moving house is an extremely busy period where the success often depends on the ability to tackle one tough task after another. Time management is crucial and failure to optimize the weeks, days, and hours you are given could can lead to catastrophic results.

The solution is simple: you do need a personalized and prioritized moving checklist to keep you as organized and motivated as humanly possible. And when it comes to the toughest pre-move jobs of them all (P-A-C-K-I-N-G), you must be in possession of good packing timeline for moving that will lead you to a successful end.

Take advantage of the following general packing timeline, borrow the ideas that best work in your case, and turn it into your personal packing checklist.

Yes, it’s as simple as that.

4 weeks prior to Moving day

Having one full month before the scheduled move-out day is a reason enough to consider yourself lucky, at least luckier than anyone who only has a few days to box all of their belongings. If you manage to keep things organized and succeed in keeping your focus when packing up your home for moving, then you should be able to finish the packing process comfortably ahead of time.

4 weeks or more prior to Moving day is all about one of the best packing hacks ever: pre-packing. Here are the things you can pre-pack and get out of your way very early in the packing marathon:

Out of the season stuff. Box any items that you know you definitely won’t need until it’s time to move out. Usually, those are out-of-season things such as clothes, shoes, clothes accessories, and so on.
Special tools. If you happen to own special equipment (usually stored away in your storage areas), then it’s time to get them ready for transportation. Such pieces of specialized equipment may include sports equipment, fishing tackle, electric power tools, lawn equipment, and so on.
Collectible items. You probably won’t be in the mood to marvel at your coin and stamp collections in the period leading up to your move day. Pack up all types of collectibles you have in your home – figurines, dolls, art collections, coins, stamps, and so on. Note that most of those things are very delicate and fragile, so pay special attention to their safe packing.
3 weeks prior to Moving day

Once you have taken care of all the items that can be safely pre-packed, turn your attention to the non-essentials found in your home – anything that you won’t really come to need in the next few weeks.


Think you’ll have time to read books prior to Moving day?
Books. Yes, it’s safe to say that you won’t find time for reading books before your move is well behind your back. And even somehow if you do find some reading time, setting aside one or two books should be enough.

Spare bedding. Pack up all the spare bedding you have stored in closets, including bed covers, sheets, blankets, pillow cases, and so on. Also, consider packing up any spare towels and table covers you own.
CDs and DVDs. If you own a neat collection of disks, either films or games, it’s time to place them in suitable boxes and get them out of your way. Similar to books, the chances are you won’t find any time to enjoy them.
Kitchenware. As you might suspect, your kitchen will be one of the hardest rooms to sort out and pack up safely. Make things easier for you by packing in advance all the kitchen items you won’t really need for the next 3 weeks or so. Starting from more specialized cooking utensils and extra sets and finishing with all types of extra plates, glasses, cups, pans, pots, and whatnot – start packing them early to win the race with time.
2 weeks prior to Moving day

Two weeks before the arrival of the most important day of your household move is a good time to start packing any items that you rarely use. Keep in mind that 2 weeks may seem like enough time at first but that is the period when time seems to be quickening its pace and you won’t even realize when your move day comes banging on your front door.

There isn’t a single day to lose!

Games and toys. If you have children, then there will most likely be plenty of games and toys to get ready for transport. Ask your kids to set aside a few of their best toys for the last couple of weeks and pack up the rest – board games, constructor sets, jigsaw puzzles, dolls, model cars, stuffed toys – you name it.
Office supplies. Consider cleaning out your work desk – notebooks, copy paper, pens, pencils, and all kinds of writing materials. Keep a few essential stationery close at hand and box up the other supplies to fit into your preliminary packing checklist.
Jewelry. Sure, there’s still enough time for you to wear your favorite jewelry pieces but that’s it – you’d better pack up the earrings, rings, bracelets, and necklaces you wear on more special occasions. Don’t leave packing your jewelry for the last possible moment.
1 week prior to Moving day

The moment you are left with only 7 days until it’s time to move out, things can get suddenly much more stressful. To keep up with your packing timeline, it’s a good idea to stop for a second or two and assess your packing progress before continuing.


Kitchens can be really tough to pack up for a move.
If you find out that you’ve fallen a bit behind schedule, you have a few viable options to choose from: 1) double your packing efforts, 2) ask a few friends for help, and 3) pay for professional packers to take care of the household items you can’t really pack safely on your own.

Kitchen items (what’s left of them). It’s a serious packing mistake to leave the kitchen for last, so leave only the absolute essential pieces of kitchenware and pack up the rest. Box up your small kitchen devices such as a toaster, a blender, a mixer, and so on. In most cases, it’s best to leave the microwave for the day before moving day.
Clothes (what’s left of them). Leave enough pieces of clothing for the next few days and place the rest of them in suitable boxes or arrange them inside clothes boxes. Figure out what you want to wear on moving day too.
Medicines. Go through your medicine cabinet and pack up all the medications you don’t need on a daily basis. The sorting process alone will take up a considerable amount of time, so act in a proactive way.
Furniture pieces. If you own large furniture that requires disassembly, this is about the right time to start thinking about how you will approach that issue. Re-assess the need to move the furniture pieces you intend to take with you because that is the moment that can save you loads of money in the long run. Consult professional packers or furniture store specialists if you’re not sure what to do.
2 days prior to Moving day

Okay, this is a really crucial period where the packing pressure can reach dangerous values. You should be finished or almost finished with packing up your house for moving. If not, you should definitely consider calling for backup.

Electronics. Most of the electronic devices in your apartment or house should be packed up safely in their original packaging with sufficient padding for extra protection. You can leave your portable computer un-boxed until the very end as you’ll be taking it with you anyway.
Bathroom items. Go into your bathroom and pack up everything that you’re taking with you to your new home. Your medicines and toiletries should be all packed up by now.
Furniture and household appliances. All of them should be packed up by now and 100% for transportation. If not, contact a reputable moving company right away to get the qualified packing help you need.
Essentials box. The idea of preparing an essentials box (or boxes) is to have your absolute essentials by your side even when the rest of your earthly possessions are packed up in boxes – that is, inaccessible. Keep such Open-First boxes by your side at all times until you reach your new residence.
Miscellaneous items. Make one more exploratory trip around your home and make sure that everything you are taking with you has already been packed or will be packed in the next day or so.
Moving day

Your move-out day has finally come, maybe much faster than you would have wanted. The important thing to remember here is that you shouldn’t leave anything to pack for the Big day. At least not anything that will take you more than a few minutes to throw into a plastic bag and place into your essentials box, like your toothbrush and toothpaste. Just in case, keep one empty box close by for last minute additions. Finally, it’s time for the very last tour around your entire living space in search of forgotten items.

It’s moving day and your packing timeline for moving should now be over and done with. Hopefully, the packing checklist above will have helped you organize your packing process in a highly logical and systematic way.

Bonus packing tips

In conclusion, let us offer you some invaluable packing tips to further aid you during the hardest and most time-consuming task in your moving calendar. The following brief answers to the most frequently asked questions when packing a home for a move can serve you as guidelines rather than rules set in stone. The reason? Each relocation scenario is unique and nobody but you will know what will work in your case, and what will not.


It’s important not to lose your focus when packing, especially when Moving day happens to be breathing down your neck.
When to start packing for a move? If you’re not entirely sure how far in advance to start packing, then it’ll be useful to remember that the earlier you start boxing up your stuff, the easier it’ll be for you when Moving day starts breathing down your neck. As a rule of thumb, you are strongly advised to start packing immediately after your household move is confirmed. One of the costliest packing mistakes you can make is to underestimate the time it takes to pack up your entire home.

Where to start packing for a move? A perfectly good question is which rooms to pack first when moving – after all, you can’t just start placing your stuff in cardboard boxes on a random principle, can you? Initiate the packing marathon from the storage areas such as a basement, a garage, an attic, or a tool shed. The reason? They are likely to be filled up with all kinds of stuff you may have even forgotten about, and the mere process of sorting out your odds and ends can take up forever. After the storage areas, move on to the rooms you use less frequently. Don’t underestimate the kitchen either! Leave the bathroom and bedroom for last.
What things to pack first when moving? Logic dictates that the items to pack first when moving should be the very things you use least often. Remember the notion of pre-packing explained above? Follow that with the idea of packing up all your non-essentials before coming to the stuff you use daily.
What to pack last when moving house? Speaking of the things you use most frequently, those are the ones you should leave for last, of course. Also, remember to set aside the belongings you can’t do without even for a day and pack them all into one or a few essentials boxes. Those boxes will also contain important documents and valuables, so don’t even think about entrusting them to unknown movers even if you know the moving company you’ve hired is as reputable as it can be. All valuables stay with you, period.

Approximate Costs of Moving: Average Moving Costs:

The moment you learn that your residential move is only a matter of time is the exact moment when a myriad of questions will most likely flood your mind and make you genuinely worried about the preparation period ahead of you. It can be really frustrating that regardless of how much time you have until moving day arrives – a few months, a few weeks, or a few days (!), you’re still going to have to answer a number of essential questions to complete the trouble-free move you want.

One of these fundamental questions is, of course, strictly related to the approximate costs of moving house: what are the average costs of moving house? Whether you’re moving out of a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom apartment, or you’re leaving a 1, 2, 3 or 4 bedroom house, you need to know how much you’re expected to pay on average either by hiring professional moving services or by organizing and executing the move by yourself (self-moving).

Also, the move distance between the two homes – short distance (local) or long distance (cross country) will affect greatly how deep you’ll be forced to dig into your pockets, desperately looking for more dollar bills.

Why do average moving costs matter?

The truth is, you may not get the right answers to all the pressing issues at the beginning of your preparations, but you must know the price of your incoming move in advance so that:

you set up your moving budget the way you’re supposed to;
you prevent any unpleasant cost related surprises at the end of the relocation;
you reduce the moving stress by knowing that you’re financially ready to handle the local or cross country move ahead of you.
Thus said, remember that the only way to get an accurate estimate of the costs of your move is to have your chosen moving company perform an expert visual inspection of your home and give you a precise price quote. Nevertheless, understanding various real-life moving scenarios and their approximate costs will help you gain a deeper knowledge of what relocation options you actually have and what to expect from your movers estimate.

The approximate costs of moving you’ll find in this article should serve as a useful preview of what your actual moving quote will look like. In reality, these approximated values can only be used as guidance because the real-life moving company rates will be dependent on the region where you live, your town or city, the moving company itself, and the specifics of your own local or long distance move.

Moving company costs on average

In most cases, moving house with the help of a professional moving company is the preferred way to approach the numerous challenges of that significant period in one’s life. As a rule of thumb, turning to the pros for assistance will eliminate plenty of stressful guesswork and will make the entire house relocation much faster and easier.

The only drawback is that you will have to pay for their moving services but that often proves to be a disadvantage in disguise the moment you calculate the potential risk and dangers of self-moving, add up the lost time in doing it all by yourself, and include the possible irreparable damage to your nervous system.

So, what are the average full service moving costs?

Average moving costs for local moves


Myth #7: Hiring professional movers is the most expensive way to move house.
Local moves are moves that never leave the state of origin and the destination point stays within approximately 100 miles. And if you do decide to hire local movers to help you out, then the first thing you should know is that local moving companies charge by the hour. What that means for you is that it’s the time that is spent on performing the move rather than the individual move related tasks such as packing, loading, transporting, and so on. And as time defines the price, the factors that affect how much time your local move will last are:

the size of your house or apartment (the bigger it is, the more items there will be inside it);
the number of additional services to be performed (for example, packing your home by yourself or having it packed by the pros?);
the number of packers and movers working on your local relocation;
the exact distance to your new address.
Taking into account that that the average moving costs per hour is roughly $30 per mover per hour,

moving out of a studio apartment should take 2 workers about 4-5 hours to complete the move, which makes approximately $240-$300 without additional fees and charges;
getting out of a 2-bedroom apartment or house should be all about having 3 local movers working for about 6-7 hours and complete your move for roughly $540-$630 excluding extra charges;
moving away from a 3-bedroom house should take 4 workers about 8-9 hours to get the job done, which in turn should cost you approximately $960-$1080 with no extra fess included in the price.
It’s important to keep in mind that unforeseen factors can and probably will influence the approximate costs of moving locally one way or the other. That is, your local move will become cheaper or more expensive depending on the concrete circumstances that surround it.

Additional services will cost you more;
Packing services are charged on an hourly basis as well /$25-$35 per hour/ and usually include the price of the packing materials;
Each additional packer or mover will cost you approximately another $25-$30 per hour;
Expect to be charged a travel fee as well – the time it takes the moving crew to reach your home;
Purchasing moving insurance will add up to the approximate cost of moving house but it can be an excellent decision to protect your valuable possessions against accidental damage.
SEE ALSO: How much does it cost to transport a car?

Average moving costs for cross country moves


Moving across the country is a risky affair that’s best left to the pros. Ask movers for price calculation, and then take advantage of cost reduction techniques.
Once your move is bound to cross state lines or exceed the 100-mile radius, it’s already classified as an interstate move and the approximate costs of moving across the country will be calculated differently than short distance relocation cases. In practice, cross country moves are much harder to be generalized as far as preliminary expenses are concerned because of three major price formation criteria that work at the same time: 1) move distance, 2) shipment weight, and 3) additional services.

The cost to move furniture, for example, will be calculated based on the weight, size, and nature of your home furniture. Expect to pay more if you need experienced packers and movers to handle bulky, super heavy or antique furniture pieces. The cost of moving furniture will also be dependent on the specific conditions in your home such narrow corridors and staircases, smaller doorways or unavailability of an elevator. For instance, if some of the furniture pieces will have to be disassembled, the furniture moving costs will be respectively higher.

Move distance. The move distance between the two homes remains a constant value so focus on the next two factors.
Shipment weight. How much your shipment weighs will play a great role in determining the final relocation bill. Make an effort to reduce that weight by getting rid of any household items you don’t really plan to use in the future.
Extra services. Choose only the moving services you do need. If you can, pack up some or all of your items by yourself to save big.
The approximate cost of moving cross country, without any extra services and additional charges, is as follows:

1-bedroom apartment. The cost of moving out from a 1 bedroom apartment to a new home located 500 miles away is around $1500, while moving to a new address 1000 miles away should cost you roughly $2000. Both these prices have been calculated for a shipment weight of 3500 lbs.
2-bedroom apartment or house. The average moving costs for a 2 bedroom apartment or house are roughly $2000 (500 miles) and $2500 (1000 miles). Both costs have been approximated for a shipment weight of 5000 lbs.
3-bedroom apartment or house. The average moving costs for a 3 bedroom house or apartment are approximately $2600 (500 miles) and $3500 (1000 miles). The shipment weight for both values has been rounded up to 7500 lbs.
Please keep in mind that the above mentioned average moving costs per mile and average moving costs per pound can only be used as reference values due to the case-by-case nature of residential moving. As mentioned above, approximate moving company costs can still be useful for forming a general idea of just how strong a hit your budget will take. For much more accurate price estimation, get free quotes by filling out our quick moving costs calculator.

Average moving costs of self-moves

Some people are quick to conclude that moving on your own is always a cheaper way to move house than hiring a professional moving company to take care of the toughest aspects. While under specific statements that can be true, one should look at the bigger picture and consider a number of important factors that just compare two relocation prices that often end up being taken out of context.

Before you even think about performing a self-move, make sure you answer YES to all of these prerequisites to avoid a disastrous DIY move with loads of lost time and money.

You’re moving short distance or within the same town or city;
You have a few good friends you can rely come Moving day;
You have moved house at least once before;
You have confidence that you can organize the entire move by yourself.
And if you’ve got 4 positive answers, then it’s time to take a closer look at both the obvious self-moving costs and the hidden costs of moving on your own.


Are you keeping tabs on your self-moving budget?
Average moving truck rental cost. The cost of renting a moving truck can vary greatly depending on the truck rental company, the size of the moving van, the distance to be traveled, the number of days you need the vehicle for, the time of the year, and more. On average, a 14’’ moving truck (2-bedroom home) can cost around $20-$30 for 8 hours + $0.70-$1.10 per mile. A 24’’ rental truck (3-4 bedroom home) can cost roughly around $40-$70 per day + $0.70-$1.10 per mile. Of course, it’s best to contact a reputable truck rental company and request an accurate quote as each move is different. Also, besides the truck rental insurance (approximately $150), beware of additional fees and surcharges (additional mileage fees, cleaning fee, fuel surcharge, tolls, etc.) that could really put a damper on your self-move initiative.

Moving equipment. You will most likely need to rent a few pieces of moving equipment (a moving dolly, furniture blankets, furniture pads, and so on) if you insist on organizing and executing a safe move.
Packing materials. Most of your cardboard boxes you can find for free, or almost for free, from local businesses and friends who have recently moved, but bubble wrap and clean packing paper you do need to purchase, especially if you own too many delicate and easily breakable items. Don’t forget quality tape and a set of color markers as well.
Hidden DIY moving costs. Finally, it’s time to say a few words about the so-called hidden DIY costs of moving by yourself that could be the turning point in your decision to hire a top rated mover to take care of your move. Such approximate costs of moving on your own include but are not limited to moving insurance for your expensive items, road taxes, as well as food and lodging expenses while on the road. Should personal injuries or property damage occurred due to move related inexperience or a concentration of bad luck, then the average moving cost could easily go through the roof.
Sometimes you can hear people say that money is not everything, and they should have a good reason to believe so. Still, when it comes to the fairly complicated process of moving house, it seems like money will dictate the way your local or cross country move unfolds. And now that you are familiar with the approximate moving costs, we believe you will make the informed decision that will change your household move for the better.

Support The Troops! Donate your non-perishable food items for the troops at Buckley Air Force Base "Fill The Mayflower" Homefront Heroes:

We Support Our Troops!

Buehler Companies is a Proud Sponsor of Homefront Heroes "Fill The Mayflower" event being held over the weekend at Albertson's 1200 S Buckley Rd, Aurora, CO 80011.

We will deliver the truck tomorrow 11/06/2015. 

Please bring your non-perishable food items for donation to the troops at Buckley Air Force Base.

Our Troops Need your help!!!!!

Thanks to all of the men and women who serve!!!!!

10 Ways to Get Your Home Packed and Moved without Breaking Stuff:

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1.  Where and How to Start Packing?

Each time we move I feel overwhelmed, a little anxious and definitely unprepared. Moving is tough and with so many tasks to do, it's hard to know where you should start. To help, we came up with this easy guide to help you through the first steps inmoving house which usually begins with how to organize the packing and sorting of all that stuff.  More »

B2M Productions/Getty Images.

2.  Everything You Need to Know About Moving Boxes

When you're moving, getting organized with boxes is an important step. Should you spend some money and buy sturdy boxes, or is recycling old ones the way to go? Is bigger better? Sure a big box will hold more, but is the box strong enough to hold more, and will it then be too unwieldy to carry?  And how many will I need?

To get you thinking beyond the box, here is help on what you need to know when getting boxes for your move.  More »

JGI/Jamie Grill/Blend Images/Getty Images.

3.  Easy and Essential Packing Quick Tips

Not all of us have a lot of time to move. While I usually recommend at least 8-12 weeks to organize, pack up and move a home, some of us don't always have that kind of luxury.  So, to help, we've provided some quick packing tips that will make your packing go a little more smoother and faster. So faster, in fact, that you'll be surprised just how easy it is to get your home ready before the movers arrive.More »

Tape the Box Closed. D. Schmidt

4.  Must Have Packing Supplies

I remember one move when the night before the movers were to arrive to pick up your household goods we ran out of packing tape. It was a nightmare trying to find a store open late, never mind one that sells packing tape. My husband spent over an hour trying to track down a roll or two.  In the end, we completed our packing in time.  But not without a lot of unnecessary stress.

So, to make sure your household goods are packed securely and on time, start with purchasing the right kind and amount of packing supplies. Just remember that buying the right supplies from the beginning will save you time and energy. More »

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5.  Packing the Moving Truck

You've booked your moving truck and packed your belongings, now it's time to think about moving day. If you're like my husband, then you'll want to plan how thetruck should be loaded before you put even a single box in the back of the truck. I have to admit, I'm not the most patient mover, but advance planning on how to load the truck is a good idea. Just don't tell my husband I said so! More »

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6.  How to Pack and Prepare Major Appliances for a Move

Large appliances are difficult to move. Not only are they heavy and awkward, but they usually require some kind of uninstallation. Add to this issue is the fact that most moving companies insist that all major appliances are prepared before they arrive. Most movers do offer a professional service that will prepare major appliancesfor you for a fee. While it may seem pretty simple to prepare your appliances for moving, if it isn't done correctly, you may find units not working when they arrive at the new destination. More »

Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/Blend Images/Getty Images.

7.  How to Pack Electronics

While electronics aren't as complex to disassemble as major appliances, they still require some knowledge when it comes to packing. Use this easy to follow step-by-step guide to pack all your electronics, including how to properly label the plugs and wires to ensure you can set-up the equipment when you get to your new home. More »

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8.  Guide to Packing Pictures, Frames and Mirrors

A friend of mine who moved recently decided to move her framed pictures by stacking them side-by-side then taping them together. While she managed to move them from her old home to the new place without any chips or breaks, the tape ruined the finish.

So, how do you pack pictures and frames without chipping corners or breaking glass or using tape that will cause permanent damage? Find out in this easy step-by-step guide. You'll be sure to have all your artwork and photos arrive safely. More »

Hero Images/Getty Images.

9.  How to Pack Flatware and Plates

It may seem that plates are pretty easy to pack and move. But, over the years andmany moves our family has made, we found that plates can be easily chipped and cracked depending on how they're packed into the box. Use this guide to pack your plates to ensure they arrive in one piece.  More »

Caiaimage/Getty Images.

10.  All You Need to Know About an Essentials Box and How to Pack One

I can't tell you how frustrating it is to move without an essentials box.  Our first few moves we didn't know how important it was to prepare one, which left us scrambling for the first night in our new 

How finding a great mover took me 3 years:

Moving sucks

Some research says moving counts as one of the top 5 most stressful things you can do.  I believe it.
I’d like tell you a story – a story of how I spent 3 years finding a great mover.
First, some background.  I moved more than 15 times in my life.  Early on, I would move myself.   As I acquired more stuff and got a bit older, I hired movers.    Every single time I tried to find a mover online, I thought to myself, “wow, moving is the industry the internet forgot about.”   Why could I not search movers?  Why could I not read verified reviews? Why could I not see photos of movers, or get any info on them at all?
When you search for other things online, reviews, prices, photos, and other great information guides you to an informed decision.   I wanted an Amazon, or Orbitz, or Tripadvisor, or Cars.com, or HomeFinder for moving.   Heck, I would have settled for a list of licensed movers in my area.    Instead, I constantly ran into a blind lead form – one that asked for all of my personal information, without showing me any of the movers that would contact me. You know what happened when I submitted that lead form?   I got called by not one, not two, but by SIX movers.  Argh!

Making it better

3 years ago, Shannon Cullins, then HomeFinder’s VP of Product, and I decided to change things.  We learned everything we could about moving, and decided to build an incredibly trustworthy, consumer friendly service to help consumers find great movers and experience happy moves.  We called it MovingCompanyReviews.com (MCR for short).  Shannon took over as General Manager, and we launched the site in February of 2013.   We launched with a few key features to guarantee we focus on helping people find the best movers:

• We verify every review with either a moving receipt (called a Bill of Lading), or a move confirmed by a quality moving company
• We prominently display each mover’s review rating
• We prominently show every mover’s state and federal licensing information, links to their federal complaint history, and any other pertinent government information
• We put caution badges on movers with suspect quality, or fraud complaints