Getting organized early is the single biggest factor in a smooth move. From notifying utilities to labeling boxes, here's your two-week countdown checklist.
Two weeks might feel like plenty of time before a move — but it disappears faster than you'd expect. The good news is that with a clear action plan, two weeks is more than enough to get everything in order and arrive at your new home without the usual chaos. Here's exactly what Box Truck Boys recommends doing in the fourteen days before move day.
1. Confirm Your Moving Date and Crew
If you've already booked with Box Truck Boys, call or email to reconfirm your appointment, the number of movers, and the truck size. Life happens — schedules shift — and a quick confirmation call two weeks out gives everyone time to adjust if needed. If you haven't booked yet, now is the time. Moving companies fill up fast, especially on weekends and at the end of the month.
2. Notify Your Utilities
Contact your electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable providers and schedule your service transfers or cancellations. Most utility companies ask for at least one week's notice, so two weeks gives you a comfortable buffer. Don't forget to set up service at your new address so everything is running the moment you arrive.
3. Update Your Address
File a change-of-address form with the United States Postal Service — this can be done online in minutes at usps.com. Then work through your list of important contacts: your bank, employer, insurance providers, subscriptions, doctor's office, and any government agencies like the DMV or Social Security Administration. It's easy to forget a few, so keep a running list as you think of them.
4. Declutter Aggressively
Moving is the perfect opportunity to shed things you no longer need. Go room by room and sort items into three piles: keep, donate, and discard. The less you move, the less you pay and the faster the process goes. Schedule a donation pickup or drop-off, and arrange for any large item disposal well before move day so you're not scrambling at the last minute.
5. Gather Packing Supplies
Stock up on boxes in a variety of sizes, packing tape, bubble wrap, packing paper, and markers for labeling. Box Truck Boys carries a full selection of moving supplies if you'd rather pick everything up in one place. Resist the urge to use garbage bags for anything other than soft items like pillows and linens — they offer no protection and make unpacking miserable.
6. Start Packing Non-Essentials
Two weeks out is the right time to start boxing up items you won't need before the move: off-season clothing, books, décor, extra linens, and anything in storage. Label every box clearly on the top and at least one side with both the contents and the destination room. Color-coded labels by room are even better — they make unloading dramatically faster.
7. Photograph Your Electronics Setup
Before you unplug a single cable, take photos of the back of your TV, gaming console, stereo, and computer setup. You'll thank yourself when you're trying to reassemble everything in your new living room. Store all remote controls and small accessories in a clearly labeled zip-lock bag taped to the corresponding device.
8. Arrange Child and Pet Care for Move Day
Move day is hectic, and having young children or pets underfoot creates both stress and safety risks. Arrange for a trusted friend, family member, or professional sitter to keep them occupied and out of the way while the crew loads and unloads. This single step makes move day dramatically smoother for everyone involved.
9. Plan Your First Night Box
Pack a separate bag or clearly marked box with everything you'll need for your first 24 hours in the new place: toiletries, a change of clothes, phone chargers, medications, snacks, paper towels, a few dishes, and bedding. Load this box last so it comes off the truck first. You don't want to be digging through 40 boxes at 10 PM looking for your toothbrush.
10. Confirm Parking and Building Access
If you're moving into an apartment or condo, contact building management to reserve the elevator and confirm any move-in rules or time restrictions. Arrange parking permits for the moving truck if your street requires them. These logistics seem minor but can cause significant delays on move day if they're not sorted in advance.
You're More Ready Than You Think
Moving is stressful, but it doesn't have to be overwhelming. Tackle these ten items over the next two weeks and you'll arrive at move day calm, organized, and ready to go. And when the big day comes, the Box Truck Boys team will handle the heavy lifting — literally. Get a free quote today and let's get you moving.