A successful move starts with preparation. Whether you are moving across town or across the country, having a comprehensive checklist ensures nothing falls through the cracks. This guide covers everything from the initial planning stages weeks before your move to the final tasks on move day and beyond. Follow this checklist and your move will go smoothly, on time, and stress-free.
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Start by booking your moving company and locking in your date. Request a flat fee quote from Piece of Cake by calling (212) 651-7273 or submitting our online form. Begin decluttering — go room by room and decide what to keep, donate, sell, or discard. Start collecting packing supplies or order a supply delivery from us. Notify your landlord or building management of your move-out date. If you have children, research school transfer requirements and enrollment deadlines. Begin researching utility providers at your new address. Gather important documents — birth certificates, passports, medical records, financial documents — and plan to move them personally.
Begin packing non-essential items like seasonal clothing, books, decorations, and rarely used kitchen items. Label every box with its contents and destination room. Set up mail forwarding through USPS. Notify your bank, insurance companies, doctors, and subscriptions of your address change. Confirm your move date and time with Piece of Cake. Provide building management contact information so we can begin the COI process. Schedule any necessary elevator reservations. If you are moving long distance, plan your travel arrangements including flights, hotel stops, or driving routes. Begin using up perishable food items to minimize what needs to be moved from the kitchen.
Finish packing all non-essential rooms. Pack a personal essentials bag with items you will need on move day and the first night in your new home — medications, toiletries, a change of clothes, phone chargers, important documents, snacks, and water. Confirm all building coordination (elevator reservations, parking permits, COI approval) with your move coordinator. Clean out your refrigerator and freezer. Disassemble any items you plan to break down yourself (though our crew handles furniture disassembly for you). Charge all electronic devices and take photos of your TV and electronics cable setups for easy reconnection. Confirm utility shutoff at your old address and activation at your new address.
Do a final walkthrough of your home before the crew arrives. Check every closet, cabinet, shelf, and storage space for forgotten items. Have your personal essentials bag ready and accessible — do not pack it on the truck. Make sure all boxes are sealed and labeled. Clear pathways from each room to the front door. If you have pets, arrange for them to stay with a friend or in a safe room away from the moving activity. Be available to answer questions from the crew about placement preferences at your new home. At the destination, direct the movers on where to place furniture and boxes in each room. Do a walkthrough at both the old and new locations before the crew leaves to confirm nothing was left behind.
Unpack essentials first — bedding, toiletries, kitchen basics, and clothing for the next few days. Check that all boxes and items arrived and are in good condition. Set up major appliances and electronics. Update your driver's license and vehicle registration with your new address. Register to vote at your new address. Explore your new neighborhood — locate the nearest grocery store, pharmacy, hospital, and transit options. If you used our services, leave us a review and let us know how we did. We love hearing from our customers.
Our professional packers will carefully pack every item in your home using premium materials, saving you time and stress.
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Learn More →Rent sturdy, reusable plastic moving bins delivered right to your door. A greener, easier alternative to cardboard boxes.
Learn More →We deliver boxes, tape, bubble wrap, and all the packing supplies you need right to your doorstep before move day.
Learn More →Artwork, antiques, electronics, and other high-value items receive custom packing solutions to ensure maximum protection during transit.
Learn More →From uprights to grand pianos, our trained specialists use the right equipment and techniques to move your piano safely.
Learn More →Whether you need to store a few items or an entire household, our climate-controlled storage facilities in NYC are the perfect solution. We offer flexible short-term and long-term options with 24/7 security monitoring and easy access to your belongings whenever you need them.
GET A STORAGE QUOTENeed to move at night, on a weekend, or over a holiday? We are available 24/7, 365 days a year to help you move on your schedule.
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Learn More →Have just a few items to move? Our small move service is perfect for studio apartments, dorm rooms, or partial moves at competitive rates.
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