If you want to move out of California, you can use this moving checklist to help you along. Remember, it is always better to prepare in advance rather than show up to your new home with the bare minimum of things packed. You may not wish to list everything you want but just give an idea of how much stuff you need and how many boxes you can fit in the car. Let’s dive in.

8 Weeks Before Moving

The eight weeks before moving is the most important time in your move. Many things need to be done by this point to get ready. Here are some important things to handle eight weeks before the move.

Research About Moving Services. It’s important to choose reputable movers with years of experience in the field and who are licensed by the state government. You should also ask for references from previous customers.

Here at People Movers California, we are fully licensed by the federal government, insured, and are a complete moving company with trucks and professional movers. So if you have any questions about moving out of California, give us a call and we will be more than happy to help you out.

Visit the New Community. Before moving in, it is important to visit the new community and get familiar with the area. You might want to discover local eateries, schools, or parks. You can also check out the local economy and see if any job opportunities are available.

Budget Relocation Accordingly. You’ll need to budget for your relocation costs, including packing materials, boxes, and furniture transportation fees, as well as any additional expenses like security deposits and utility costs. Consider taking out an emergency fund before moving so you won’t struggle financially during this stressful transition period.

Discuss the Move With the Family. Before making any final decisions about moving, discuss them with your family, so they’re on board with your decision. This will help you avoid future conflicts or arguments over what needs to be done when relocating from one place to another.

Prepare Questions for Your Movers. When moving, it’s important to prepare for your movers. Not only should you have a list of things to pack, but also questions for your movers to ask you. It’s important to prepare ahead of time because the more information you give them, the less time they spend on the job. If you’re moving out of California, here are some questions you might want to ask:

• How long will it take to move?

• Will I need a truck or a van?

• When will they arrive?

• How many people will be moving my items?

• How much is the fee?

If you have any questions, visit our FAQ page for answers to common questions.

Notify Your Landlord. Make sure your landlord knows what you plan to do and when you plan to move out. You may need to give them advance notice so they can schedule an inspection of the apartment or house. If you aren’t moving out right away, it’s a good idea to give your landlord some time to schedule the inspection at a convenient time.

6 Weeks Before Moving

Start preparing your home for a move as early as six weeks before. Here is what to do six weeks before the scheduled date of your move.

Get At Least 2 Moving Estimates from Professional Movers. You can find out how much it will cost to move, then shop around. Ask different companies for estimates of all the moving services they offer. You might even want to add some things you didn’t think of, like packing materials and software, or perhaps furniture pads or blankets.

Get a moving estimate here.

Reserve Storage Units. Most movers will require that you rent storage spaces for at least a few days before your move date. Reserve them now, then let the moving company know when you’re ready to move in. This way, you have time to pack items properly and get familiar with your new place. And don’t forget about unpacking!

Sign A Binding Agreement & Schedule The Move Day With the Movers. The sooner you schedule your move date with the moving company, the better off you’ll be. Make sure they understand what type of service level your situation requires (e.g., if you have pets) so they can schedule their team accordingly. Also, ensure they know when they should start loading up your belongings — this is important because many moving companies charge extra if they begin too early.

Order Moving Supplies. You’ll want to order supplies before you hit the road. This will allow you to get everything packed up and ready to go. The best place to start is by reviewing your list of items and determining what needs to go and what can be left behind.

You can get a rough idea on how much moving supplies to get by using our packing calculator.

Notify Schools You’re Moving. It’s important to let the school know that you’re moving. This way, they know where you’ll be living and can help facilitate changes in your schedule, such as new bus routes or field trips. It’s also good practice for the future — if something goes wrong after you’ve moved (like a leaky roof), it’s easier for them to help out than if they don’t know where you’ve been living until after all is said and done.

Organize Traveling Plans. If there are any planned trips during this period, make sure your travel plans are in place and ready for action! This will prevent stress when it comes time to leave on your trip and will also help prevent any mishaps along the way, such as missing flights or getting lost without cell service while traveling in unfamiliar territory (which happens).

Check on Your Homeowners Insurance and Auto Insurance. You may be covered by a homeowners insurance or auto policy, but it’s important to check these policies before moving. You’ll want to ensure that your home and its contents are insured and any vehicles you own. If you’re moving out of state, you’ll want to ensure that any additional coverage is available in your new state.

Strategize Your Packing Process. Packing is time-consuming and can be stressful, so start planning now! Decide which items will go first, second and third, and start working towards getting them packed up, so they’re ready when the movers arrive at your house in the other state. Divide up the rest of your belongings into categories like “clothes” or “kitchen stuff” so everything goes together nicely when it’s all packed up!

Update Your Memberships. Update any memberships or subscriptions that require payment information, such as cable television, internet service providers (ISPs), cell phone providers (CSPs), etc. Ensure that the information has been updated before moving out so that any services can be updated.

4 Weeks Before Moving

There are many things to do for moving preparation as early as four weeks before the move. Here is what to do four weeks before.

Begin Packing. Start the packing process by moving items into boxes, then begin to file and label each box. It’s a good idea to start putting things in boxes early because it will help you keep track of what you have and where it is.

Donate Unwanted Possessions. Donate any personal belongings that are no longer needed or that you no longer need for storage at your new home. You may also want to donate items that have sentimental value, such as family photos, mementos, and other valuables. If you have large furniture items like couches or dressers, consider storing them at a friend’s house or renting a storage unit for the time being until you can sell them later on (if possible).

Dispose of Hazardous Items. Hazardous materials should be disposed of properly so that others do not get injured during the move process or after arriving in their new home (or workplace).

Schedule A Car Shipping Service. It’s a good idea to call several car shipping companies and compare prices before making a final decision. The best way to do this is to schedule a time for an appointment with one of their representatives, so you can ask questions about the services they offer. You should also find out about their customer satisfaction ratings and talk to previous customers who have used them.

Inform Friends and Other Relatives. You’ll need to let your friends know that you’re moving soon and that they can expect some changes in your life. They will probably be happy for you because they can visit more often, but they may also feel like you’re abandoning them and causing tension between the two of you. It’s important to remember that moving is stressful enough without adding family drama!

Transfer Utilities. Suppose you own any utilities, such as water or electricity. In that case, it’s important to get them transferred over so that they continue working while you move away from California and start over in another state. Not only will this save money on utility bills, but it will also make things easier when getting settled into your new home once everything is moved.

2 Weeks Before

Here are the things to do two weeks before moving.

Decide Where to Take Plants. The easiest way to start your plants is to bring them with you. If you live in an apartment, this can be difficult. You may want to rent a storage unit or buy a small enclosed trailer to carry your plants safely and easily. If you live in a house or a condo, you may want to find room for them in your yard or balcony.

Change Medicare Mailing and Social Security Addresses. If you have Medicare and Social Security benefits, it’s time to update those mailing addresses with your new address. This will ensure that Medicare and Medicaid continue paying out benefits properly if they know where they should go. It also helps when bills are sent out and tax returns are filed using the correct address on those documents.

Plan Households Arrangements. Unless you have someone helping with the move, it may be helpful to plan for how much time different family members need to spend at their new homes during the first few weeks after moving out of state – especially if there are children involved or there is any chance of them not making friends easily (e.g., due to lack of communication skills).

Update Billing and Credit Card Addresses. You need to update your billing and credit card addresses in case they are not the same as they were before. This is also important if you have a roommate because now you will have an extra person’s name on the lease agreement, so it is better to ensure this is correct. You can check with the bank or credit card companies if they require any documentation regarding your move-out date.

1 Week Before

The last week before moving involves critical preparations. Here are some of the things to do one week before moving.

Clean You Old Home. To make things so much easier for you, clean your old home before moving out. You can hire a professional cleaning company or do the cleaning yourself using a few tools such as a broom, mop, vacuum cleaner, and sponge. Make sure that all dust particles are removed from inside your home, and all dirt is removed from outside too.

Together With A Landlord, Inspect The Old Home. You should discuss with your landlord what needs to be done after you move out of the house so that everything will be alright when you return home. This way, both parties know what needs to be done after moving out of their old homes, and thus they can take care of these things together before moving into their new homes.

Remove All Trash and Recyclable Things. You have to remove all trash and recyclable things from your house. You can only keep certain items in the house, such as furniture, dishes, and appliances. You can’t leave any trash in your home either.

Pack Suitcases and all Essentials. Pack your suitcases with all essentials for moving. This includes clothes, shoes, toiletries, and other essentials you need during your move to another state. It is also important to pack enough food for yourself and any pets you might have during the move. Make sure you pack everything in one suitcase or bag, so there will be no mistakes when unpacking later.

Inform Your Neighbors About Your Move. Inform your neighbors about your move by putting signs on their doors or windows if they are nearby. The last thing you want is for your neighbors to be surprised by an unexpected visit from couriers because they were not informed about your move beforehand!

On Move Day

On Move Day, you will be leaving your current home, but you can start your new life by taking inventory of what’s in your current home and what you want to keep. Here are some things you’ll want to do.

Take Inventory Of All Your Possessions. During the move-in day, you will want to take inventory of all your possessions. This includes all furniture, electronics, and other items you need for your new home. If possible, take a photo of each item before packing them up. This will help you if anything gets broken during the move process.

Do A Final Sweep of Rooms. In addition to taking an inventory of all your belongings, it’s important to make a final sweep of your rooms before moving out. This will ensure that you don’t forget anything you need or want during this period. Make sure everything is in working order, so there are no issues when you arrive at your new home. You should also make sure that everything is placed properly; this especially applies if there are children involved with moving in/out of the house.

Handover the keys to Your Landlord. Once everything has been swept and taken into account, it’s time to hand over keys and confirm everything is set up correctly for the landlord-tenant relationship between them (if applicable). Make sure to read through all paperwork thoroughly before signing anything.

After Moving In

When you have finally moved out of California, you will have to take care of different things. This checklist can help you settle after the move.

Unpack. Take everything out of the boxes and place it in your new home. You can leave the boxes at the store or take them to your new home. If you take the boxes to your new home, label each box with a name, so you know which box contains what.

Thoroughly Clean the House. Get rid of any clutter that has accumulated while you were packing. This could be anything from old toys and clothes to newspapers, boxes full of books, and other items stored in random places around the house.

Change Your Locks. Change all your locks on all doors in your house so that no one can gain unauthorized access to your property without first knocking on your front door. Make sure that you replace all deadbolt locks with new ones and replace any old keys for deadbolts with new ones for deadbolts.

Change IRS Address. If you are moving out of California, you must change your address on your federal tax returns to reflect where you live now instead of where they think you live now! It is also important to update any other financial accounts that may be linked (like bank accounts).

Final Word

Many things need to be considered before moving out of California. When moving from one state to another, it is best to do a lot of research and create a checklist. The above is a checklist that will help you when moving from California.