What to Do the Week Before Movers Arrive
The final week before your movers arrive is when careful planning either pays off or reveals gaps you still need to address quickly. This is the time to finalize details, finish packing, and make sure both your home and your household are genuinely ready for moving day. This guide covers exactly what to prioritize during these last seven days so you walk into moving day feeling prepared rather than scrambling.
Confirm Details with Your Moving Company
Call your moving company a few days before your scheduled date to confirm the arrival time window, crew size, and any special instructions you've previously discussed, such as parking arrangements or elevator reservations. Ask specifically about their process for the day, including how long loading typically takes for a home your size, so you have a realistic sense of the schedule. Confirm the payment method they expect and whether tipping is customary, since having this sorted in advance prevents any awkward last-minute questions on moving day itself. Double-check that you have a direct phone number for your crew leader or dispatcher in case you need to reach them with an urgent update.
Finish Packing Everything Except Essentials
By the start of this final week, aim to have the vast majority of your home packed, leaving only items you'll use in the next few days and your designated essentials boxes untouched. Do a careful walkthrough of every room, checking inside closets, under furniture, and in less obvious storage spots like the tops of cabinets or behind doors, since these areas are easy to overlook until the very end. Finish labeling any remaining boxes clearly with their destination room, since a rushed final push often results in vague or missing labels that create headaches during unpacking. Set aside your moving day essentials box, including toiletries, chargers, and a change of clothes, so it's ready and easily identifiable when the truck is loaded.
Handle Final Utility and Service Confirmations
Confirm your utility disconnection date at your current home and your connection date at your new home, making sure there's no unexpected gap between the two. If you haven't already scheduled internet or cable installation at your new address, do so immediately, since some providers have appointment backlogs of a week or more depending on your area. Contact your current internet provider to confirm your final disconnection date and arrange equipment return if required, since many providers charge fees for unreturned modems or routers. Double-check that any final utility bills at your old address will be sent to a forwarding address or handled online, so you don't miss a final payment after you've moved.
Prepare Your Current Home for Move-Out
If you're renting, review your lease's move-out requirements one more time, including any cleaning expectations or a required walkthrough with your landlord or property manager. Schedule a final cleaning, whether you're doing it yourself or hiring a service, for after your belongings are fully moved out but before your official move-out date. Take photos of every room once it's empty and clean, which serves as useful documentation in case of any dispute over your security deposit later. If you're a homeowner, confirm any agreed-upon items are left behind for the new owners, such as appliances or fixtures specified in your sale agreement, and remove everything else.
Prepare Your New Home for Arrival
If possible, visit your new home before moving day to take measurements, plan furniture placement, and do a basic cleaning before it's filled with boxes and furniture. Confirm utilities are active at the new address, since arriving to a home without power or water creates unnecessary complications on an already demanding day. Check that any necessary repairs or changes, like new locks or a fresh coat of paint, are completed or scheduled before your move-in date rather than needing to be worked around once you're settled. If you're moving into an apartment or condo, confirm any building requirements like elevator reservations, parking permits, or move-in time windows with the property management office.
Arrange Care for Children and Pets
Finalize your plan for children and pets on moving day, whether that means arranging for them to stay with a friend or family member, or designating a specific adult to manage their needs throughout the day. A home full of moving boxes, unfamiliar people, and open doors is genuinely unsafe and stressful for young children and pets, so having a clear plan in place removes one significant source of chaos from the day. If children or pets are staying with someone else, pack a bag with everything they'll need, including food, medications, comfort items, and any care instructions the caregiver might need. Confirm this arrangement with whoever is helping a few days ahead of time, rather than assuming it's settled without a final check-in.
Confirm Your Moving Day Logistics
Review your overall moving day plan one more time, including who is responsible for supervising the crew, handling paperwork, and doing final walkthroughs at both properties. If multiple vehicles or family members are involved, confirm everyone's roles and departure times so the day proceeds smoothly without confusion or duplicated effort. Check the weather forecast for moving day and prepare accordingly, whether that means having ponchos on hand for rain or extra water for a hot day. Print or save digital copies of your moving company's contract, confirmation numbers, and any relevant addresses so you have quick access to everything throughout the day.
Handle Final Address and Mail Updates
If you haven't already submitted your official change-of-address request, do so now, since even a late submission is better than none, though earlier is always preferable for full coverage. Do a final check of your master list of accounts and subscriptions to confirm everything has been updated, catching any stragglers before your move rather than after. Notify close friends and family of your new address if you haven't already, particularly anyone who might send mail or packages in the coming weeks. Set up mail forwarding confirmation if you haven't received it yet, and note the date your forwarding officially begins.
Take Care of Yourself During the Final Push
The final week before movers arrive is often the most physically and mentally exhausting part of the entire process, so prioritize sleep, hydration, and reasonable meals even as your to-do list feels endless. Avoid scheduling too many other obligations during this week if possible, since your energy and attention are best spent on move preparation rather than spread thin across unrelated commitments. Ask for help if you're falling behind, whether that's from friends, family, or paid packing assistance, rather than pushing through alone and arriving at moving day already exhausted. Remember that a well-rested, clear-headed you is far more valuable on moving day than a few extra hours spent perfecting box organization the night before.
Do a Final Walkthrough Before Moving Day
The night before or morning of your move, do one more complete walkthrough of your current home, checking every closet, drawer, cabinet, and storage area for anything left behind. Confirm that your essentials box, important documents, and valuables are set aside and ready to travel with you rather than getting loaded onto the truck with everything else. Check that appliances you're taking are properly prepared, such as a refrigerator defrosted and cleaned at least 24 hours in advance. This final check gives you peace of mind that you've genuinely covered everything before the busy chaos of moving day actually begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I confirm with my moving company during the final week?
Confirm the arrival time window, crew size, payment method, and any special logistics like parking or elevator access a few days before your scheduled move.
How much should be packed by the start of the final week?
Aim to have the vast majority of your home packed by this point, leaving only daily essentials and your designated essentials boxes for the last few days.
What should I do about utilities during the final week?
Confirm disconnection and connection dates at both properties, and make sure internet or cable installation is scheduled well ahead of any appointment backlogs.
How do I prepare my current home for move-out?
Review your lease's move-out requirements, schedule a final cleaning, and take photos of each empty room for your own documentation and deposit protection.
What should I check at my new home before moving day?
Confirm utilities are active, any necessary repairs are completed, and building requirements like parking or elevator reservations are arranged in advance.
How should I handle kids and pets on moving day?
Finalize a plan for them to stay with a friend, family member, or a designated adult, since a home full of boxes and activity isn't a safe environment for them.
What should be in my final walkthrough checklist?
Check every closet, drawer, and storage area for forgotten items, and confirm your essentials box, documents, and valuables are set aside and ready to travel with you.
How do I avoid burning out during the final week before movers arrive?
Prioritize sleep and reasonable meals, avoid overloading your schedule with unrelated obligations, and don't hesitate to ask for help if you're falling behind on tasks.
The final week before your movers arrive is demanding, but working through this checklist systematically ensures you're genuinely ready rather than scrambling at the last minute. With your home prepared, your logistics confirmed, and your essentials set aside, you'll be able to approach moving day with confidence instead of last-minute stress.