Moving involves hundreds of tasks that interconnect in ways you'll only discover through mistakes—unless you have a comprehensive checklist. Los Angeles adds unique requirements like parking permits, HOA notifications, earthquake kit transfers, and beach community restrictions that generic checklists miss. This timeline-based checklist, developed from SOS Moving's thousands of LA relocations, ensures nothing gets forgotten while maintaining your sanity through the process.
8 Weeks Before Moving Day
Research and planning phase:☐ Create moving binder/digital folder for documents☐ Research moving companies, get 3-5 quotes☐ Check peak seasons (May-Sept higher prices)☐ Verify mover licenses at CPUC.ca.gov☐ Read reviews across multiple platforms☐ Set moving budget with 20% buffer☐ Take photos of valuable items☐ Start decluttering room by room
LA-specific tasks:☐ Check new area parking restrictions☐ Research HOA rules if applicable☐ Verify building moving hours/requirements☐ Check street cleaning schedules both locations☐ Note any film shoot notifications
6 Weeks Before Moving
Booking and documentation:☐ Book moving company with deposit☐ Schedule time off work☐ Order moving supplies if DIY packing☐ Create home inventory spreadsheet☐ Photograph electronics setups☐ Begin using frozen food items☐ Research new neighborhood services☐ Start collecting important documents
School-related (if applicable):☐ Notify current school of move☐ Request records transfer☐ Research new schools/districts☐ Check enrollment requirements☐ Update emergency contacts
Financial tasks:☐ Notify mortgage/rental companies☐ Check lease-breaking penalties☐ Document security deposit condition☐ Budget for deposits/connections☐ Update employer if needed
5 Weeks Before Moving
Paperwork and services:☐ Submit change of address (USPS.com)☐ Update driver's license plans☐ Transfer voter registration☐ Update vehicle registration plans☐ Notify insurance companies (all types)☐ Contact utility companies both locations☐ Schedule cable/internet disconnection☐ Arrange new service installations
Medical preparations:☐ Request medical records☐ Get prescription refills☐ Research new doctors/dentists☐ Transfer veterinary records☐ Update pet microchips☐ Get vaccine records
4 Weeks Before Moving
Active preparation phase:☐ Begin packing non-essentials☐ Label boxes by room and contents☐ Use up cleaning supplies☐ Donate unused items☐ Sell valuable unwanted items☐ Arrange charity pickups☐ Back up computer files☐ Update subscriptions addresses
LA-specific preparations:☐ Reserve parking for moving day☐ Get parking permits if required☐ Schedule elevator (high-rises)☐ Notify neighbors of moving date☐ Check earthquake kit contents☐ Plan for pool/hot tub if applicable
Important notifications:☐ Banks and credit cards☐ Employer HR department☐ Subscription services☐ Gym memberships☐ Professional licenses☐ Alumni associations
3 Weeks Before Moving
Intensify packing efforts:☐ Pack seasonal items☐ Pack decorations and artwork☐ Wrap fragile items carefully☐ Pack books (small boxes)☐ Create "Open First" box☐ Pack garage/storage areas☐ Photograph box contents☐ Number boxes sequentially
Service confirmations:☐ Confirm moving company details☐ Verify truck size adequate☐ Confirm arrival time☐ Review contract terms☐ Understand payment methods☐ Arrange cash for tips
Vehicle preparations:☐ Service car if driving distance☐ Check registration currency☐ Clean out car completely☐ Plan route if driving☐ Arrange vehicle shipping if needed
2 Weeks Before Moving
Final preparations:☐ Pack everything except essentials☐ Defrost and clean refrigerator☐ Clean oven and appliances☐ Confirm travel arrangements☐ Arrange pet transportation☐ Get cash for moving day☐ Pack suitcase for moving week☐ Create inventory list
Children's preparations:☐ Pack special comfort items accessible☐ Prepare entertainment for moving day☐ Discuss move positively☐ Say goodbye to friends☐ Pack school supplies separately
Final arrangements:☐ Confirm parking permits posted☐ Double-check elevator reservation☐ Verify building requirements met☐ Confirm utility disconnections☐ Schedule final walk-through☐ Arrange cleaning service
1 Week Before Moving
Final week tasks:☐ Pack daily-use items☐ Clean as you empty rooms☐ Do final laundry☐ Empty safety deposit box☐ Return borrowed items☐ Collect loaned items☐ Dispose hazardous materials☐ Pack cleaning supplies last
Electronics and valuables:☐ Backup phones and tablets☐ Pack chargers accessibly☐ Secure jewelry and documents☐ Pack medications separately☐ Remove batteries from remotes☐ Pack electronics in original boxes
Final confirmations:☐ Call moving company to confirm☐ Verify payment method ready☐ Check weather forecast☐ Plan moving day meals☐ Arrange child/pet care☐ Set multiple alarms
48 Hours Before Moving
Almost there:☐ Pack remaining items☐ Clean out all closets☐ Check all storage areas☐ Empty bathroom cabinets☐ Pack shower items☐ Prepare payment for movers☐ Charge all devices☐ Get good night's sleep
Final food tasks:☐ Empty refrigerator completely☐ Dispose of perishables☐ Pack cooler if needed☐ Plan meals for moving day☐ Pack snacks and water
Moving Day
Before movers arrive:☐ Strip beds, pack linens☐ Do final bathroom check☐ Protect floors if raining☐ Clear pathways completely☐ Secure parking spaces☐ Have inventory list ready
During loading:☐ Be present and available☐ Check inventory carefully☐ Document any damage☐ Keep important items separate☐ Stay hydrated☐ Direct special handling items
Before leaving:☐ Check every room, closet, cabinet☐ Check garage and storage☐ Turn off all utilities☐ Lock all windows☐ Leave keys and remotes☐ Take final meter readings☐ Leave forwarding information
At new home:☐ Be present before movers☐ Protect new floors☐ Direct box placement☐ Check inventory arrival☐ Note any damage immediately☐ Set up beds first☐ Locate essentials box
First Week After Moving
Immediate priorities:☐ Register children for school☐ Update driver's license (10 days)☐ Register to vote (30 days)☐ Update vehicle registration (20 days)☐ Find new doctors/dentist☐ Update employer records☐ Explore neighborhood
Home setup:☐ Test all utilities☐ Check appliances function☐ Locate circuit breakers☐ Find water shut-offs☐ Test smoke detectors☐ Set up earthquake kit☐ Meet neighbors
Administrative tasks:☐ Update insurance policies☐ Register with new city☐ Get library card☐ Update professional licenses☐ Join local groups☐ Review HOA rules
Los Angeles-Specific Reminders
Parking and permits:LA parking enforcement is aggressive. Permits required for moving trucks. Street cleaning tickets are $73. Beach communities have special restrictions. Downtown requires building coordination.
Utility considerations:LADWP requires deposits. SoCal Gas separate service. Spectrum vs Frontier availability varies. Solar panels need transfer coordination. Pool service arrangements.
Emergency preparedness:Earthquake kit essential. Wildfire evacuation plans. Tsunami zones (beach areas). Power outage supplies. Water storage recommended.
Downloadable Resources
Create your custom checklist:Print this list and customize. Add personal tasks specific. Set calendar reminders. Share with family. Update as needed.
Important numbers:
- USPS Change of Address: 1-800-ASK-USPS
- CA DMV: 1-800-777-0133
- LADWP: 1-800-DIAL-DWP
- SoCal Gas: 1-800-427-2200
- SoCal Edison: 1-800-655-4555
Making Your Move Successful
This checklist represents hundreds of collective moves' wisdom. Customize it for your situation—not every task applies to everyone. Start early to avoid stress. Delegate tasks among family members. Most importantly, maintain flexibility as surprises always occur.
Professional movers like SOS Moving handle the physical aspects, but success requires your organizational efforts. This checklist ensures nothing important gets forgotten while keeping you focused on manageable daily tasks rather than overwhelming totality.
Ready to check "Book Movers" off your list? Contact SOS Moving at 909-443-0004 to secure professional moving services for your LA relocation. With your checklist in hand and our expertise handling the heavy lifting, your move becomes manageable. Get your free quote today—one important task completed!
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