Updated on January 21, 2026
How to properly prepare for your move? Complete guide
To properly prepare a move, start 8 weeks before by decluttering, then organize packing room by room and handle administrative tasks. The key steps are: declutter (donate, sell, discard), book a moving company, pack gradually, and manage address changes (utilities, bank, insurance).
Preparation timeline: week by week
Follow this calendar for a smooth and well-organized move.
📋
8 weeks before
- Declutter room by room (donate, sell, discard)
- Request quotes from several moving companies
- Start collecting boxes
- Notify your landlord (notice of departure)
- List the address changes to make
📦
4 weeks before
- Confirm the date with the moving company
- Start packing rarely used items
- Cancel or transfer contracts (electricity, internet, insurance)
- Notify your employer and schools
- Arrange pet care if needed
🏠
2 weeks before
- Pack secondary rooms (garage, basement, attic)
- Read the utility meters (old home)
- Prepare a 'first night' box
- Confirm keys for the new home
- Reserve parking for the truck
📝
1 week before
- Finish packing main rooms
- Label all boxes by room
- Prepare personal suitcases
- Empty and defrost the refrigerator
- Complete the move-out inspection
🚚
Moving day
- Be present to welcome the movers
- Check the inventory before departure
- Do a final walkthrough of the home
- Collect keys and documents
- Supervise setup in the new home
Room-by-room packing tips
Each room has its specifics. Here are our professional movers' tips.
🍳
Kitchen
- Pack dishes vertically with paper
- Use towels to cushion fragile items
- Empty and clean appliances
- Do not pack perishable foods
🛏️
Bedroom
- Use suitcases for heavy clothes
- Leave clothes on hangers in garment bags
- Protect mattresses with plastic covers
- Disassemble beds and number the parts
🛋️
Living room
- Protect furniture corners with cardboard
- Wrap frames and mirrors with bubble wrap
- Unplug and label TV/stereo cables
- Take photos of the connections
💼
Office
- Back up computer data
- Pack important documents separately
- Protect screens with blankets
- Keep chargers and cables together
Moving day: our tips for a successful move
✅ Do
- • Be present when the movers arrive
- • Have the list of boxes by room ready
- • Provide refreshments for the team
- • Verify the inventory before signing
- • Keep your important documents with you
- • Take before/after photos
❌ Avoid
- • Leaving boxes unsealed
- • Forgetting to empty the refrigerator
- • Not labeling boxes
- • Leaving valuables in boxes
- • Blocking access to the truck
- • Stressing: trust the professionals!
The essential "First Night" box
Prepare a box with essentials for your first night:
Hygiene
Soap, toothbrush, toilet paper, towels
Comfort
Sheets, blanket, pajamas, chargers
Practical
Tools, light bulbs, snacks, coffee/tea
Frequently asked questions about preparing a move
How long does it take to prepare for a move?
Ideally, start preparing your move 8 weeks in advance. This time allows you to declutter calmly, compare quotes, pack gradually, and handle all administrative tasks without stress.
What items cannot be transported by a moving company?
Movers do not transport: hazardous materials (gasoline, gas, chemicals), perishable goods, plants, live animals, valuables (jewelry, cash, important documents), and weapons.
How do you pack fragile items?
For fragile items: use bubble wrap and newspaper, wrap each item individually, fill empty spaces in boxes, mark FRAGILE and THIS SIDE UP on boxes, and place them on top of the stack.
Do I need to empty furniture before moving?
Yes, furniture generally needs to be emptied before moving. Drawers and cabinets must be emptied to facilitate transport. Exception: with ADEMART's Premium package, we can leave some contents in place.
How do you label boxes effectively?
Label each box with: the destination room, a description of contents, and FRAGILE if needed. Use a color code for each room. Number your boxes and keep an inventory.
Need help with your move?
With ADEMART's Premium package, you do nothing: we pack, transport, and unpack everything for you.