Before you place your current house on the market.

Before you start spending money on new furniture and decorating your rental, make sure not to neglect some crucial steps. It’s important to set a budget for these expenses, as well as for any others that may pop up during the move. Be prepared for the cost of utilities in the new home, along with those additional fees that might come with renting or buying a house. Having a game plan will help you make sure that you’re investing only in things that are really important to you.

In addition to setting goals and creating a plan of attack, it’s important to also gather some personal details about yourself so that you can be as informed as possible about your needs and wants. Ask yourself questions like “How often do we host dinner parties?” or “What colors do I want my kitchen countertops to be?” You’ll remember many of these facts when it comes time to shop around later on.

Before moving day

It’s usually recommended that people start thinking about switching their location at least three months before they officially begin packing up their belongings but ideally closer to six months ahead of time. This lead time is crucial in order for the move itself (packing everything up, finding movers) not feeling rushed and last-minute, which is not good for anyone involved.

Another bonus of giving yourself plenty of time is getting a headstart on any necessary home improvement projects before your current lease expires—such as getting an estimate from painters or hiring an electrician if you know there are issues with your electrical system in need of fixing—so that they don’t feel rushed either (after all, it’s hard enough finding reliable help). Also, don’t forget about the importance of preparing psychologically.

12 weeks before the moving date

Now that you’re well-versed in what you’re looking for and how to acquire it, it’s time to have a plan for actually getting your life set up. Once you’ve got your priorities straight, the next step is to figure out what’s useful and what can be tossed. Put away the items that are being used on a daily basis and pack away those things that aren’t used frequently. If there’s anything left over, donate them or sell them online. You can also consider a storage unit if need be; during our move, we were able to store some of our belongings at my parents’ house, which was perfect because we couldn’t afford both a storage unit and a moving truck on the same day.

The most important thing is to lay out an effective timeline for your move so everything goes according to schedule. Start by finding a home inspector who will come in and assess any issues with your new home before you sign the contract or agree to pay rent/buy the property (you may not even have an option as this could be part of the agreement).

When we did our inspection though, I learned there was no floor rot from underneath despite being told otherwise so maybe get two opinions! After that, start planning for furniture purchases and moving dates. In regards to furniture purchases, make sure you find out if certain pieces are included or if they can be purchased separately when you move into your new place (I’m talking about appliances here). If so, don’t forget when to arrange the delivery of your new items! Get all this information in writing.

2 weeks before the moving date

Two weeks before your move is the perfect time to start planning, because if you procrastinate, you’ll suddenly be overwhelmed by the sheer number of things you still have to do. Here’s what to do in that two-week window:

• Create a list of all the things you need to buy for your new home. If there are items on this list that can’t be purchased at a store, put in a request with the moving company so they can pack them and transport them as part of their services.
• Check on your belongings and make sure they’re in good condition, especially if some of them are electronics or other fragile objects. You may want to take advantage of insurance that covers package damage or theft during transit.
• Confirm the moving day with the moving company, so that you don’t show up for an unpacking session only for them to tell you it’ll happen another time.
• Check out your new house! Make sure all appliances work, inspect the lighting situation (for example: does it have enough overhead lights?) and check any fixtures/cabinets/other parts of material importance.

Recommended Reading: Our Other Most-Read Guide

• 5 essentials that will make moving house 100x easier in London
• Moving house? Here’s what you need to do before you move out of your old home
• How to declutter your home for a move
• 5 Smart Ways To Make Moving House As Efficient As Possible
• Moving House: 5 Things You Need To Do
• How To Declutter Your Home For a Move