4–6 Weeks Before
- Book your moving company as early as possible.
- Review your building’s moving rules and access requirements.
- Ask whether a COI or service elevator reservation is needed.
- Start decluttering, donating, or disposing of unwanted items.
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MOVING WIZARD PLANNING GUIDE
Plan Your Move Like a Wizard
Moving day feels dramatically easier when the details are handled early. Use this step-by-step moving timeline to plan your booking, confirm utilities, reserve elevators, arrange parking, and check building rules before move day arrives.
Good planning helps avoid last-minute fees, elevator conflicts, parking delays, and utility issues on move-in day.
Your Moving Timeline
Here is a clean week-by-week moving plan so nothing important gets missed. The earlier you handle scheduling, building access, and logistics, the smoother your move will feel.
✨ Follow the wizard checklist
3 Weeks Before
- Transfer or cancel electricity, gas, internet, and water.
- Update your mailing address with USPS, banks, and subscriptions.
- Check whether your new place has move-in scheduling rules.
- Start collecting packing supplies and labeling materials.
2 Weeks Before
- Confirm your moving date and arrival window with movers.
- Arrange parking permits, curb space, or loading access if needed.
- Measure large furniture, hallways, elevators, and doorways.
- Plan childcare or pet care for a less chaotic move day.
1 Week Before
- Finish packing non-essentials and clearly label fragile boxes.
- Prepare a first-night essentials box for immediate needs.
- Defrost the refrigerator if required.
- Reconfirm elevator reservations and building access times.
Moving Day
- Walk movers through fragile, valuable, or special-care items.
- Keep documents, jewelry, medicine, and valuables with you.
- Do a final walkthrough of closets, cabinets, and storage spaces.
- Make sure utilities and keys are handled correctly before leaving.
Important Move-Day Logistics
These are the details that often cause delays, rescheduling, or surprise charges when they are forgotten.
Building & HOA Rules
Many apartment buildings, condos, and luxury communities require moving reservations. Some properties only allow moves during specific time windows and may require advance approval.
- Reserve the service elevator if your building requires it.
- Ask if your movers must provide a COI (Certificate of Insurance).
- Confirm move-in / move-out time restrictions.
- Check whether floor protection or wall padding is mandatory.
- Ask if deposits or management approval are required.
What is COI? A COI is a Certificate of Insurance issued for the moving company. Buildings often want it made out to the property or management company to confirm the mover carries active insurance and is operating as a legitimate, insured business.
Elevator Reservation
Elevator access can become the single biggest bottleneck in apartment and high-rise moves. Without a reservation, movers may lose time waiting, making multiple trips, or being denied access.
- Reserve the elevator at least 1–2 weeks in advance.
- Confirm the exact booking window and key pick-up process.
- Ask whether the elevator must be padded before the move.
- Check loading dock access and freight elevator instructions.
- Confirm building staff contact info for move day.
Wizard tip: always reconfirm the reservation a few days before the move, not just once.
Utilities Checklist
Utility delays can make your first night frustrating. It is usually better to activate service slightly early than to arrive with no power, internet, or hot water.
- Electricity
- Gas
- Internet / Wi-Fi
- Water
- Trash or city service where applicable
Wizard tip: schedule activation one day before move-in whenever possible.
Parking & Truck Access
Parking issues can slow down even the best moving crew. Long carries, blocked driveways, street restrictions, and lack of curb space often add time and stress.
- Reserve curb space or request temporary parking permits if available.
- Use cones or signage only where legally allowed.
- Check garage or alley height clearance for the truck.
- Confirm whether loading docks need advance scheduling.
- Make sure the truck can park close enough for efficient loading.
Wizard tip: large trucks may need 40–60 feet of usable space.
Booking Your Movers
The best moving dates and best crews are usually booked first, especially at the end of the month, on weekends, and during summer. Early booking gives you more control and fewer surprises.
- Book 2–4 weeks ahead for normal periods when possible.
- Book earlier for end-of-month, weekend, or peak-season dates.
- Confirm the arrival window and estimated job scope.
- Ask what is included and whether special access affects pricing.
- Share building rules, parking, stairs, and elevator details in advance.
Wizard tip: clear details upfront help avoid delays and reduce hidden surprises.
What to Confirm Before Move Day
A quick final confirmation can save hours. This is the moment to check the little things that often get overlooked when people assume everything is already handled.
- Exact moving date and arrival window
- Elevator booking time
- Parking plan and access instructions
- Building contact or management approval
- Utilities start date
- Keys, gate codes, and entry details
Wizard tip: keep this list on your phone so you can review it in 2 minutes.
Wizard Quick Checklist
Use this as your final pre-move review so the biggest pieces are already handled before the truck arrives.
✨ Ready for move day
✓
Movers booked
Better crews and better time windows usually get taken first.
✓
Elevator reserved
Without a booking, the crew may lose time waiting or be denied access.
✓
Utilities scheduled
Power, gas, water, and internet should be active before the first night.
✓
Parking arranged
Good truck access reduces long carries, delays, and extra stress.
✓
Building rules confirmed
Time windows, deposits, and loading instructions can affect the whole move.
✓
COI submitted if needed
Some properties require proof your moving company is properly insured.
✓
Large furniture measured
Measure doors, halls, stairwells, and elevators before move day.
✓
Essentials box prepared
Keep chargers, toiletries, clothes, and basics easy to reach first.
✓
Valuables kept with you
Documents, jewelry, medicine, and daily essentials stay safest with you.
Need help planning the move?
A well-organized move starts with the right timeline, clear logistics, and a crew that already knows the details before move day begins.