Moving Checklist
The old saying "moving three times is like burning down once" doesn't have to be true. Plan your move so that as many tasks as possible are taken care of in time. This way, your mind stays free for the important things on moving day.
Our checklist is designed to help you plan your move. Click the button to open the print preview.
3 Months Before the Move
| ✓ | Task | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plan the move | ||
| Roughly set the moving date | ||
| Create a list of items to be moved | ||
| Ask moving helpers | ||
| For the old apartment | ||
| Cancel old rental contract (notice period?) | ||
| Cancel or transfer phone & internet (notice period?) | ||
| Clarify bulky waste collection date with local authority | ||
| Clarify renovations | ||
| Clear out garage, basement, attic, garden shed, … | ||
| Cancel contracts: | ||
| Electricity | ||
| Water | ||
| Oil / Gas | ||
| Waste | ||
| For the new apartment | ||
| Plan furnishing | ||
| If new furniture: order and clarify delivery | ||
| If renovation: plan, book tradespeople, clarify dates | ||
| Phone & internet | ||
| Television: cable, satellite, or antenna? Contracts needed? | ||
| Ask landlord about contracts for heating (gas/oil), electricity, water, waste, path cleaning | ||
| Children: organize kindergarten or school place | ||
| Request time off from employer (extra moving day?) |
4 Weeks Before the Move
| ✓ | Task | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Set exact moving date | ||
| Check & transfer contracts: | ||
| Phone & internet | ||
| Cable or satellite TV | ||
| Broadcasting fee (formerly GEZ) | ||
| Confirmation for electricity, water, oil/gas, waste? | ||
| Transfer insurance: | ||
| Main bank with current account | ||
| Savings account | ||
| Credit cards | ||
| Car insurance | ||
| Dog tax, pet insurance | ||
| Household contents insurance | ||
| Fire insurance | ||
| Life insurance | ||
| Building savings | ||
| Health insurance | ||
| Travel repatriation insurance | ||
| Automobile and motor clubs | ||
| Accident insurance and disability insurance | ||
| Deposits, securities, safe deposit boxes | ||
| Address changes to: | ||
| Subscribed magazines | ||
| Clubs and associations | ||
| Friends, neighbors, acquaintances | ||
| Business partners | ||
| Tax office | ||
| BAföG, employment agency, child benefit, housing benefit, military service office | ||
| Ask all moving helpers again | ||
| Coordination with moving company |
2 Weeks Before the Move
| ✓ | Task | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| For the new apartment: | ||
| Arrange apartment handover with new landlord | ||
| Key handover in advance? Are there basement or garage keys? | ||
| Renovations clarified: curtains, carpets, wallpaper, paint | ||
| Clarify parking space for moving truck | ||
| Apply for no-parking zone | ||
| For the old apartment | ||
| Arrange apartment handover with old landlord | ||
| Clarify key handover | ||
| Renovations clarified: carpets, wallpaper, paint | ||
| Basic cleaning clarified: floors, toilet, sink, built-in cabinets | ||
| Arrange meter readings | ||
| Clarify parking space for moving truck | ||
| Apply for no-parking zone | ||
| Errands | ||
| Moving boxes | ||
| Tissue paper for delicate items like dishes and pictures | ||
| Bubble wrap | ||
| Get protective film for carpets and parquet floors | ||
| Toolbox for disassembling shelves and cabinets | ||
| Book babysitter | ||
| Book place for pets | ||
| Buy important medications | ||
| Bank: clarify account transfer | ||
| Bank: adjust or cancel standing orders | ||
| Inventory | ||
| Pack items no longer needed | ||
| Sell or dispose of unnecessary items | ||
| List special valuables with individual values | ||
| Schedule coordination with moving company |
1 Week Before the Move
| ✓ | Task | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| If possible: pack moving boxes | ||
| Ask moving helpers again | ||
| Have moving company confirm the date | ||
| Re-register car (check opening hours!) | ||
| Re-register at residents’ registration office (check opening hours!) | ||
| Visit neighbors | ||
| Empty freezer | ||
| If applicable: transport special valuables separately | ||
| Arrange alternative lighting (old floor lamps, simple lamp sockets, etc.) | ||
| Set up mail forwarding |
The Day Before the Move
| ✓ | Task | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Check: | ||
| No-parking zone signs set up? | ||
| New keys available? | ||
| Confirmation from moving helpers? | ||
| Confirmation from moving company? | ||
| Arrange: | ||
| Children to babysitter | ||
| Drop off pets | ||
| Defrost refrigerator and freezer | ||
| Provisions for moving helpers | ||
| Withdraw cash | ||
| Keys for driveways and freight elevators | ||
| Colored markers for labeling boxes | ||
| Cleaning supplies | ||
| Lay out protective film for carpets and parquet floors | ||
| Pack bag with most important personal items: clothes, toiletries, medications, documents, ID, bank cards, valuables, car keys, apartment keys, … | ||
| Pick up rental car | ||
| Pack room by room |
On Moving Day:
| ✓ | Task | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Morning before loading | ||
| Pack remaining items | ||
| Check stairwell and doors for pre-existing damage, document if necessary | ||
| Brief moving helpers | ||
| In the old apartment after loading | ||
| Remove name plate (doorbell, mailboxes, basement) | ||
| Release basement and take lock | ||
| Read meter readings: water, oil/gas, electricity | ||
| Clean stairwell and elevator | ||
| Check stairwell and elevator for damage | ||
| Remove protective coverings for carpets and floors | ||
| Dismantle lighting | ||
| In the new apartment before unloading: | ||
| Key handover for apartment, entrance, basement, attic, garages, mailbox | ||
| Check stairwell and doors for pre-existing damage, document if necessary | ||
| Lay out protective film for carpets and parquet floors | ||
| Install lighting | ||
| Hang up furniture placement plan | ||
| Brief moving helpers, clarify box labeling | ||
| First set up furniture, then bring in boxes | ||
| In the new apartment after unloading: | ||
| Clean stairwell and elevator | ||
| Check stairwell and elevator for damage | ||
| Remember the moving helpers | ||
| Visit neighbors |