Many people think of moving as one of the most stressful tasks there is. But what if we told you there was a way to make your move stress-free and manageable? It all starts with a comprehensive moving checklist — and knowing what to do, and when to do it, before moving day arrives.
Pre-Move Planning (6–8 Weeks Out)
Planning your move should start a couple of months before your actual moving date. Otherwise, you may end up missing key details that force you to postpone or make the process harder than it needs to be. Start by answering these four questions:
- What is the distance of your move — local, long-distance, or out of state?
- Is your move intrastate (within Oklahoma) or interstate (crossing state lines)?
- How much furniture and how many belongings are you taking?
- Are you moving any specialty items that require special handling — like a piano, gun safe, or hot tub — or items that need to be disassembled before packing?
Once you’ve answered these questions, move on to the next stage.
Research and Hire a Moving Company
Before picking a moving company, get quotes from at least three companies and check their ratings and reviews. Knowing what movers cost in Norman and OKC before you start comparing helps you spot quotes that are too high — or suspiciously too low. Ask every company these questions:
- Is this a binding quote? What could change it?
- Are there any fees that might increase the final price?
- Is the pickup and delivery date guaranteed?
- What is your cancellation policy?
- Do you charge extra for heavy items like appliances, safes, or pianos?
- What do your packing and unpacking services include and cost?
- What insurance options do you offer?
- Are you USDOT registered? (You can verify any licensed mover at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov)
If you’re moving locally within the OKC metro — Norman to Edmond, OKC to Moore, or anywhere in between — see our local moving services. For moves crossing state lines, see our long-distance moving services.
Budgeting, Packing, and Decluttering
Once you’ve chosen a company, finalize your moving budget. Make sure you have these documents ready:
- A bill of lading (this is a legal contract with your mover — read it before signing)
- Your moving insurance policy documentation
Now start decluttering. Sort everything into four categories: move, sell, donate, or discard. Host a garage sale, post items online, or schedule a donation pickup. Fewer items means a faster, cheaper move — and a cleaner start in your new home. For anything too large or heavy to deal with yourself, our junk removal service can haul it away before moving day.
For tips on how to pack specific items efficiently, see our how-to guides: how to pack dishes, how to pack clothes, and how to pack electronics.
One Month Before Moving
When your move is a month away, focus on logistics. Taking care of these steps now means nothing slips through the cracks on moving day.
Notify Utility and Service Providers
Make a list of every institution that needs to be notified of your move and contact them with your new address and transfer date. Here’s who to notify:
- Your employer (for payroll and HR records)
- USPS — forward your mail online at usps.com
- Electric company (OG&E or PSO for most OKC metro customers)
- Water and sewer department
- Cable and internet provider
- Cell phone provider
- Garbage and recycling service
- Banks and credit card companies
- IRS (update via your next tax return or Form 8822)
- Social Security Administration
- Healthcare providers and pharmacy
- Auto and home/renters insurance companies
- Subscriptions and memberships
- Oklahoma DMV (update your driver’s license within 30 days of moving)
Book Your Moving Crew
If you haven’t already confirmed your moving date and crew, do it now. In Norman during August and May (OU move-in and move-out seasons), slots fill 4–6 weeks out. For OKC, Edmond, and Moore, 2–3 weeks is typically enough outside of summer. Our apartment moving team and Norman movers are available 7 days a week — contact us to lock in your date.
Schedule Time Off Work
Request time off from work or school for moving day, plus any additional days you’ll need for packing and settling in. If you’re an OU student moving during finals or semester breaks, plan your move date around exam schedules to reduce stress on both ends.
One Week Before Moving
The week before your move is about confirming details and finishing final preparations.
Confirm Moving Details With Your Crew
Call your moving company to confirm the date, arrival window, pickup address, and delivery address. If you’re in a multi-story building, confirm elevator reservation times with your property manager and let your moving crew know in advance. If you’re in a Norman OU-area complex, confirm parking permits for the moving truck — some complexes require these during peak move-in periods.
Pack Your “First Night” Essentials Box
Pack essential items — a change of clothes, medications, toiletries, phone charger, snacks, toilet paper, and a pillow and blanket — in a clearly labeled box or bag that travels with you, not in the moving truck. This box gets loaded last and unloaded first. Refill any prescriptions before moving day so you’re not hunting for a pharmacy on arrival.
Also gather and personally carry all sensitive documents: passports, birth certificates, social security cards, tax returns, and lease or mortgage paperwork. These should never go in the moving truck.
Prepare Appliances
Empty, defrost, and clean your refrigerator at least 24 hours before the move. Freezers may need 48 hours. Drain washing machine hoses. Disconnect and secure any gas appliances only if you’re experienced with gas lines — otherwise ask your utility company or a technician to do it safely.
Moving Day
On moving day, a few key steps keep everything on track.
Clear a Path to the Truck
You need a clear path between your home and the moving truck to load safely and efficiently. Remove any outdoor furniture, vehicles, or obstacles from the driveway. In winter, clear snow and ice from steps, walkways, and the driveway — Oklahoma ice storms can create serious hazards. Our winter moving tips cover how to handle cold-weather moves safely.
When the truck arrives, confirm the crew’s USDOT number matches what you were given. Once loading is complete, do a full walkthrough of your home — check every drawer, cabinet, closet, and shelf. Look in the garage, attic, and any outdoor storage areas. It’s far easier to grab a forgotten item now than to arrange a second trip later.
Supervise the Unload at Your New Home
Once you arrive, stay organized during unloading:
- Check off items as the crew unloads — use your inventory list if you made one
- Direct placement of furniture and boxes into the correct rooms — labeled boxes make this fast
- Before signing any documents, inspect your belongings for damage or missing items and note anything on the bill of lading
- If you used our loading and unloading service, our crew handles placement and basic reassembly before they leave
After the Move
Unpack and Organize
Start with essential rooms — bathroom and kitchen first, then bedrooms. Unpack systematically rather than opening random boxes across every room. If unpacking feels overwhelming on top of the move itself, our unpacking service handles everything and removes all packing materials before we leave.
Update Your Address
If you didn’t handle address changes before the move, do it now. Priority: USPS mail forwarding, Oklahoma DMV (30-day requirement), banks, and your employer. Everything else can follow within the first week.
Inspect for Damage
Within the first day or two, inspect all items for damage incurred during the move. Photograph any damage immediately and contact your moving company to initiate a claim. A reputable, licensed company will have a clear process — and insurance coverage to back it up.
Ready to Get Moving?
A solid checklist is the foundation of a smooth move. The next step is finding the right crew to execute it. Serenity Moving Services has been helping Norman, Oklahoma City, Edmond, and Moore residents move seamlessly since 2012. From full packing services and local moving to long-distance relocations — we handle every detail so you can focus on settling in.
Get your free itemized quote today:
- Call (405) 437-8243 — available 7 days a week
- Or request online via our Contact Us form
