The Complete Moving Tips & Checklist: 8 Weeks to Move Day

After hundreds of moves across Georgia, Fayette and Coweta County, we can tell you exactly which forgotten tasks cause move day chaos: utilities nobody transferred, a junk pile with no plan, and beds nobody measured for the new house. This is the checklist our own crews wish every customer had. Work it week by week and move day becomes boring, which is the goal. These Moving Tips & Checklist will help ensure a stress-free move!

8 weeks out: decide and declutter

Book your mover (month-end and summer dates go first), and verify their GA Moving Certificate "Movers License" and their USDOT number on the FMCSA site before signing anything. Start the declutter now, every room, three piles: keep, donate, toss. Schedule a donation or junk pickup for the toss pile instead of letting it ride in the truck; you pay movers by the hour, and hauling junk to a new house is the most expensive way to throw it away later.

6 weeks out: paperwork and school records

Request school record transfers, refill prescriptions and ask for 90-day supplies, gather vet records, and start a single “move folder” (paper or phone) for every quote, receipt, and account number. If you rent, give written notice per your lease. Order boxes and packing paper or have supplies delivered so you are not making four Home Depot runs.

4 weeks out: utilities and address changes

Schedule utility stops and starts power, water, gas, internet — for both houses (internet installs book out, do that one first). File your USPS change of address for a few days before the move. Update your address with banks, insurance, subscriptions, and your employer. Start packing rooms you do not use daily: garage, attic, guest room, off-season clothes. Label every box with future room + contents on the side, not the top sides stay visible when boxes stack.

2 weeks out: confirm and pack for real

Confirm crew size, arrival window, and payment terms with your mover in writing. Measure large furniture against the new home's doorways and stair turns — knowing a sofa will not make the basement turn is a two-week problem, not a move-day problem. Pack everything except two weeks of essentials. Arrange kid and pet care for move day; both are safer and happier elsewhere while doors stand open.

Move week: the essentials box and the walkthrough

Pack an essentials box that rides in YOUR car, not the truck: medications, chargers, toiletries, a change of clothes each, toilet paper, paper towels, basic tools, snacks, and every key and garage remote. Defrost and dry the fridge 24 hours ahead. Empty, drain, and coil the washer hoses. Set aside cleaning supplies for the final walkthrough, and take meter photos at both houses.

Move-day morning

Clear a staging path from the widest door to the truck spot. Reserve driveway space (in golf-cart neighborhoods, make sure the path-side gate is unlocked if the crew needs it). Walk the crew lead through the house room by room, point out do-not-load items, and keep valuables, documents, and the essentials box in your car. Then let the crew work — a good one has a load order and your job is answering questions, not lifting.

Moving Tips Frequently asked questions

What should I NOT let movers pack?

Keep medications, passports and documents, jewelry, cash, laptops, and anything irreplaceable with you. Movers also cannot transport propane tanks, gasoline, paint thinners, or other hazardous items so plan those separately.

Should I empty dresser drawers?

It depends, ask your mover what they prefer! Usuaully light soft items can usually stay in sturdy dressers for local moves we wrap and move the piece whole. Empty anything fragile, heavy (books), or in a flimsy or particle-board piece.

What if I cannot pack in time?

Call your mover before move day, not the morning of. Adding packers the day before is routine our packing service exists exactly for this.

Want the crew that brings the checklist energy?

Starr's Mill Movers

handles local and long-distance moves, packing, and junk removal across Georgia, Fayette and Coweta County — licensed, insured (GA HGG #9412, USDOT #4188756), and open every day 8am–8pm. Get a free quote or call 678-819-5496.

Get a Quote