Moving is stressful, and a big part of that stress is not knowing what you should be doing when. I have watched thousands of families move since 2013, and the ones who had a checklist always had an easier move than the ones who did not.
Here is a Connecticut-specific moving checklist I put together. It starts 8 weeks out and runs through the first week after move day.
8 Weeks Before
Start decluttering. Go room by room. Every item you get rid of is one less thing the movers have to carry.
Get estimates from movers. Reach out to 2 or 3 licensed movers. Ask for an in-home or video walkthrough. Any company that gives you a firm number without seeing your stuff is guessing. See how to choose a Connecticut mover for what to look for.
Start a moving binder. Estimates, receipts, contracts, floor plans, important phone numbers in one place.
6 Weeks Before
Book your mover. Summer weekends fill up fast. If you are moving in June, July, or August, book at least 6 weeks out.
Research schools if moving with kids and start the enrollment process.
Use up food in the freezer and pantry.
4 Weeks Before
Start packing non-essentials. Books, off-season clothes, basement, attic. Rooms you use least go first.
Get moving supplies. Boxes, tape, bubble wrap, paper. See where to find free moving boxes in Connecticut if budget is tight.
Schedule utility transfers. Eversource handles most electric service in Connecticut. Call at least 2 weeks before move day to transfer electric, gas, water, internet, and trash to your new address.
2 Weeks Before
Update your address. USPS mail forwarding, banks, credit cards, insurance, driver's license (you have 60 days after moving in CT), doctors, pharmacy, subscriptions.
Schedule a dump run. Most Connecticut towns have a transfer station that takes bulk items for a small fee. Call your town clerk or public works department for hours.
Arrange for kids and pets on move day. Neither will enjoy it. Get them somewhere else if you can.
Transfer prescriptions to a pharmacy near your new home.
1 Week Before
Finish packing everything except day-to-day essentials.
Pack an essentials bag for the first night: chargers, medications, toiletries, change of clothes, documents, snacks, water. This stays with you, not on the truck.
Confirm the move with your mover. Address, time, crew size, and anything special.
Prep the kitchen for packing. Our kitchen packing guide covers this in detail.
Clean out the fridge. Defrost the freezer 24 hours before move day.
The Day Before
Finish the kitchen and bathroom. Leave out only what you need for the morning.
Disconnect electronics and take photos of the cables before unplugging them.
Prep your home for the movers. Clear paths from every room to the door. Remove anything from hallways. Put down runners if you have hardwood floors.
Set valuables aside. Jewelry, cash, important documents, passports. These ride with you, not on the truck.
Move Day
Be there when the crew arrives. Do a walkthrough with the crew lead and point out anything fragile or special.
Stay out of the way but be available for questions.
Do a final walkthrough of every closet, cabinet, and drawer before you leave.
Tip the crew if they did a good job. See our guide on tipping movers if you are unsure how much.
The First Week After
Register your car at the Connecticut DMV within 60 days of moving. Do it early. The wait times are brutal.
Register to vote at your new town clerk's office.
Find local doctors, a dentist, and a pediatrician if you need them.
Meet your neighbors. A wave and a hello goes a long way.
Unpack the essentials first: kitchen, bathroom, bedrooms. The rest can wait.
Who can help
If all of this feels overwhelming, it is worth thinking about whether you want help packing. We offer full-service packing and our Princess Packing white-glove service for customers in Enfield, West Hartford, and across Hartford County who want the whole home packed for them.
You do not have to do this alone. Plan ahead, work the checklist, and move day will be much smoother.
- Joe Caronna, Owner, Castle Express Moving & Storage