The final week before a move can feel jam-packed with activity. Even when you’ve already booked the movers, there may still be appointments to keep, a home to prepare, and everyday meals and laundry to fit in. A week before moving checklist helps you put those tasks in order.
Sequence matters during that final week. Some tasks need to be completed before you can move on to the next. For example, you need to know when you’ll have access to your new home before you can agree on delivery arrangements.
With moving day getting closer, what needs to happen first, and what can wait until later in the week?
Use the days below as a suggested order, and adjust them around your packing and loading appointments. If a task needs a separate booking, arrange it as early as you can.
Seven days before: What should you confirm with your mover?
Your moving schedule can include several appointments. Packing and loading may be booked for the same day or separate days, and delivery will have its own agreed date or window. Confirm those details with the moving company so you know when to be available, when any packing you’re handling needs to be finished, and when to meet the delivery.
When arranging or confirming your move, ask the moving company about:
• The dates or arrival windows you’ve agreed for packing and collection, and the delivery arrangements.
• Which rooms or belongings the team will pack, and what you’ve chosen to pack yourself.
• Parking, stairs, gates, building access, or elevator reservations at either address.
• Any change in the belongings being moved or the services you need.
• Who’ll be available at each home and how to reach the moving team.
Keep the confirmed details somewhere you can find them during the week. If you’ve booked full service movers to pack and transport your belongings, you can leave that work to the team. Your part is to identify what’s going to the new home, set aside anything you’ll carry yourself, and explain where the crew can park and how to enter each property.
If you have less than a week left and need additional packing help, describe what’s unfinished and ask about availability and charges now. Agree on any changes before relying on that help in your schedule.
Six days before: What packing still needs to be finished?
If you’re packing any belongings yourself, use the six-day mark to check what’s left. Ideally, you’ve already packed things you rarely use, such as holiday decorations and spare linens. Finish any of those items that remain, while leaving everyday cookware and bedding available.
For the belongings still to pack, use the same room names you’ve chosen for the new home. Pack by room and label the contents and destination. Keep the labels visible on the sides so you can identify cartons when they’re stacked.
If professional packing is part of your move, you can leave the wrapping and boxing to the team. Make sure to point out fragile belongings and let them know about anything that isn’t going to the new home.
For furniture being donated or collected separately, confirm who’ll take it and when. Mark those pieces so the packing team knows to leave them out. If a pickup falls through, tell your Move Consultant before the furniture is packed.
Five days before: What needs attention in the kitchen and garage?
About five days before your move, check what’s left in the kitchen and garage. Your freezer may still be full of food, and you may have cans of paint, fuel containers, or cleaning products on the garage shelves. Some of those items can’t go on the moving truck. Checking them this week leaves time to use what you can and find out how to dispose of anything the mover won’t take.
Plan meals around the food you already have, especially anything refrigerated or frozen. Ask your mover which foods can travel in the shipment before packing the remaining pantry items.
Paint, fuels, and household cleaners containing bleach, ammonia, or other harsh chemicals can’t go in a Mayflower shipment. Set these items aside so they aren’t packed. If you need to dispose of them, check your city or county’s disposal options, including what they accept and when they’re open.
If you’re taking a major appliance, such as a refrigerator or washer, check the manufacturer’s instructions for moving it and ask your mover what needs to be done before loading. Mayflower recommends emptying, defrosting, cleaning, and drying refrigerators and freezers at least twenty-four hours before the movers arrive. Confirm the timing and any servicing needed for your appliance. Arrange for a qualified person to disconnect appliances that need it, especially those with gas or water connections. You may need a separate appointment for appliance disconnection, in addition to your household packing appointment. Book that help as early as you can.
If you’re moving a lawn mower, grill, or other gas-powered equipment, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for draining fuel and oil where applicable. Remove or return propane cylinders before loading, and check any preparation requirements with your mover.
Four days before: What will you need at home until moving day?
Plan how you’ll handle meals, laundry, and any work you do from home during the four days before you leave.
• Leave enough dishes and cookware for the meals you’ll make before departure. • Keep your work equipment available until you’re finished using it.
• If the washer and dryer are moving, finish washing and drying your travel clothes before they’re disconnected.
• If someone will be looking after children or pets on moving day, confirm where they’ll stay and the drop-off and pickup times. That person can help keep them away from doorways and loading areas while the crew works.
• Confirm the utility shutoff and start dates you’ve already arranged. You’ll still need water and electricity while you’re living in the old house and finishing any cleaning. If you haven’t booked those changes, contact the providers now.
• Set aside a broom, cleaning cloths, paper towels, and trash bags for the final clean. Keep any cleaning products the mover won’t take separate from the shipment.
If you’ve booked packers, show them which items you’re still using and agree on when those can be packed.
Three days before: Is the home ready for packing and collection?
Walk through the house three days before loading to check the areas the movers will use. If packers are coming earlier, do this before their appointment. Hallways, stairs, and doorways should have enough space for the crew to carry boxes and furniture.
Move loose belongings away from halls, stairs, and doorways, and leave heavy furniture for the moving team. Tell your mover if a parking space is no longer available, an entry code has changed, or the elevator reservation needs updating.
For boxes you’ve packed yourself, check that the lids close without forcing them and that the labels name the destination room and contents. Your Move Consultant can answer questions about how to prepare for movers, including whether fragile or bulky items need special packing.
Two days before: What should you keep separate from the shipment?
You can pack most of your personal travel bags two days before moving, leaving room for the things you’ll use until the last morning. Keep those bags apart from the household boxes, and show the crew where you’ve put them.
Gather the documents, medication, keys, and small valuables you’ll carry personally. Add the clothes and toiletries you’ll need during travel so they’re ready to go with you.
If you’ll reach the new home before your furniture does, think through where you’ll sleep and what you’ll use for meals. Your luggage may need to cover more than the first night, depending on the delivery window.
The day before: What can wait until the final morning?
You’ll still need your bedding, toiletries, and phone charger on moving morning. The day before you leave, make a list of what to pack last when moving.
Leave a bag or carton ready for the items you’ll use on the final morning. Once you’re finished with them, put travel necessities in your luggage and pack the remaining household items for the shipment.
Review the next day’s appointments with anyone helping you.
On moving day, after the truck is loaded, walk through the house and check cupboards, closets, and outdoor storage for anything left behind before you hand over the property.
How can full service movers help with your final preparations?
With your appointments confirmed and essentials set aside, you can focus on the remaining tasks one day at a time. Scobey Moving & Storage can take care of the packing and loading you’ve booked, giving you more time for work, travel, and getting settled. If you still need packing help, tell your Move Consultant what’s unfinished and ask what’s available for your moving dates.
Ready to feel confident about your move from start to finish? Let Scobey take care of the packing, loading, and transport. Contact Scobey today.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re packing any belongings yourself before your Scobey move, start with things you won’t need that week, such as seasonal decorations, spare linens, and rarely used kitchen items. If you’ve booked professional packers, show them what needs to stay unpacked until you leave.
Remove breakables, liquids, valuables, and anything the mover won’t transport from dresser drawers. Lightweight clothing may be able to stay inside. Ask your Scobey Move Consultant whether your dresser should be emptied before the crew arrives.
Use sturdy cartons for folded clothing and suitable wardrobe boxes for garments you want to keep hanging. A suitcase or travel bag works well for clothes you’ll carry personally. If packers are handling your clothing, confirm their plan before buying containers or packing it yourself.
Movers won’t transport hazardous items such as flammable gases, explosives, and toxic substances in a household shipment. Ask your Scobey Move Consultant for the restricted-items list and check anything you’re unsure about. Important documents and jewelry are better kept with you so you can reach them during the move.
Prepare for a Scobey move by checking your appointment dates, explaining parking and entry at both homes, and setting aside anything you’ll carry yourself. Finish the packing you’ve chosen to do, and tell your Move Consultant about appliances or belongings needing special preparation.
Pack everyday bedding, toiletries, chargers, and basic kitchen items after you’ve finished using them. Keep anything you’ll need on the journey in your personal luggage, and show the crew which bags you’ll carry yourself.
Eric Barker is the Vice President of Commercial Services at Central Transportation Systems and a recognized voice in the moving and relocation industry. With over a decade of experience in military household goods logistics, operations, and commercial moving services, Eric has played an active role in shaping conversations around the future of PCS (Permanent Change of Station) moves and military relocation policy. He currently serves on the board of the Southwest Movers Association and the IAM DAB DMV (International Association of Movers, Distinguished Agents Board, DMV chapter), reflecting his ongoing commitment to industry leadership and standards. He recently joined industry leaders at the 50th Annual Dispatchers Convention to discuss the major structural changes affecting military moving in 2026. Through his leadership and operational expertise, Eric helps ensure military families receive reliable, efficient, and professionally coordinated moving services during periods of significant industry transition.