Moving day, hour by hour.
Two long days, in order. Rootstep starts both with these lines and keeps the ones that fit your move; the times are a starting point to change to yours.
The day you leave
From stripping the beds to the last walk through: what to do, and when, on the morning you hand over the old home.
- 06:30Strip the beds and put the last laundry in a bag for the journey
- 07:00Photograph every room as you leave it, and the meter readings
- 07:30Movers arrive: walk through the rooms with the box list and agree what goesIf you use movers
- 07:30Courier collects the boxes: check each label and keep the receiptIf you use a courier
- 07:30Weigh the suitcases and move anything over the limit to hand luggageIf you move with suitcases
- 08:00Pets: a walk, water and a quiet room away from the packingWith pets
- 08:30Children: a bag for the journey with snacks, a charger, headphones and a favourite toyWith children
- 09:00Use up or give away the food that is left; empty and clean the fridge
- 09:30Keep the first-night box and the suitcases apart so nothing leaves with the wrong loadIf you use movers or a courier
- 10:00Hand over the car: papers, every key, and a photo of the mileageIf you sell the car
- 10:00Hand the car to the shipper with its papers; photograph it from every side firstIf you ship the car
- 10:00Load the car: documents within reach, the first-night box on topIf you drive the car there
- 10:30Check the hand-luggage document folder: passports, visas, certificates and copiesWhen you move to a new town
- 11:00Pets: crate ready with bedding, the papers taped on, and a last walkWith pets
- 11:30Before the movers leave: check every room, cupboard and storage space, and sign their listIf you use movers
- 12:00Keys: count them, photograph them and hand them over
- 12:30Hand over the home and get the landlord's signature on the handover notesIf you rent now
- 12:30Hand over to the buyers or the agent and note the meter readings togetherIf you own your home
- 13:00Last walk through: windows shut, heating down, taps off, lights out
- 13:30Leave with time to spare: three hours before a flight, more with petsWhen you move to a new town
The day you arrive
From the keys to the first night: what to check before you unpack, and what can wait until tomorrow.
- 08:00At the border: declare what needs declaring and check the entry stampWhen you move abroad
- 08:30Pets: through the animal check with the health certificate and vaccination recordWith petsWhen you move abroad
- 09:30Phone and money: a local SIM or eSIM and some cash; keep the receiptsWhen you move abroad
- 10:30Get the keys, then photograph every room and the meter readings before you unpack
- 11:00Ask the landlord for any papers you need to register the addressIf you'll rent
- 12:00Movers deliver: check each box number against Boxes as it comes in and note any damage on their sheetIf you use moversWithin one country
- 12:00Check when the courier boxes arrive and who will be at home to signIf you use a courier
- 12:00Unpack the suitcases: bedding, towels, chargers and medicines firstIf you move with suitcases
- 13:00Groceries, drinking water and a first meal
- 14:00Pets: food, water, a quiet corner, and a local vet's number savedWith pets
- 15:00Book the appointments with waiting lists, starting with the address registrationWhen you move abroad
- 17:00Open the boxes marked Open firstIf you use movers or a courier
- 18:30Make up the children's beds first and keep bedtime as usualWith children
- 21:00Put tomorrow's documents in the folder and charge the phones
Let the dates take care of themselves.
Rootstep picks these lines from your answers, puts the next one on your Lock Screen as the day goes, and you mark each one done. Try everything free for 9 days; your plan stays free to follow, and one payment keeps you planning.
On a computer? Point the camera of your iPhone or iPad at the code to open Rootstep on the App Store.
More checklists
ChecklistMoving checklistA free, printable moving checklist from deciding to settling in: what to do six months, three months and one month before you move, on moving day and after you arrive.ChecklistMoving abroadA free checklist for moving abroad, overseas or internationally: passports and certificates, visas and permits, health cover, tax, and registering once you arrive.ChecklistMoving houseA free moving house checklist for renters and owners: notice, the deposit, the handover and meter readings, then finding, signing for and moving into the new home.ChecklistMoving outA free moving out checklist for renters: giving notice, repairs and cleaning, the handover with photos and meter readings, getting your deposit back and closing the accounts at the old address.ChecklistChange of addressA free change of address checklist: mail forwarding, meters and utilities, banks, subscriptions, registering at the new address and the people to tell, in the order it matters.ChecklistPacking and moving dayA free packing and moving day checklist: clearing out, packing and labelling boxes, booking movers, the first-night box, and what to check before you sign on the day.ChecklistDocuments for a moveA free documents checklist for moving abroad: passports and their validity, certificates, apostilles and sworn translations, and what to carry in your hand luggage, for adults, children, pets and the car.ChecklistAfter you moveA free checklist for after you move: registering your address, health cover and a doctor, a bank account, your driving licence, school and settling in, in the order they come.ChecklistMoving with childrenA free checklist for moving with children: school places and their deadlines, records, consent letters for travel, and helping children settle in.ChecklistMoving with petsA free checklist for moving with a dog or cat: microchip, rabies vaccination, transport, the health certificate and registering your pet after the move.ChecklistMoving with a carA free checklist for moving with a car: whether it can be registered where you go, shipping and export papers, insurance, your driving licence and registering the car after you arrive.ChecklistRelocating for work or studyA free checklist for relocating for a job or a study place: the offer or transfer letter, recognition of your degree, your employer's relocation package, payroll details and claiming moving costs.
Rootstep: Move Planner turns this list into your own plan, every step dated from your moving day. Scan the code with your iPhone or iPad to get it on the App Store. This checklist: rootstep.app/moving-day-timeline