A good packing timeline for moving starts six to eight weeks before moving day. Book movers and start decluttering at eight weeks, buy supplies and pack rarely used things at six, sort utilities and pack spare rooms at four, and be 70 to 80 percent packed two weeks out. The last week is for essentials and a first-night box.
When should you actually start packing, and what should you do each week? Most moving stress comes from leaving everything for the last ten days. As boxes fill up, keep this first apartment checklist handy so you know exactly what the new place still needs.
A real timeline gives every task a week. Eight weeks out is for big decisions, the middle weeks are for steady packing, and the final week is only for the things you use every day.
Below is the full countdown, week by week, ending with the moving day itself. For quick tricks to use along the way, see my moving tips.
Packing supplies worth buying
These are the supplies that make the timeline work: tape, colour-coded labels, wardrobe boxes, small boxes and stretch wrap.
8 Weeks Out
1. Book the Movers
Get three quotes from insured moving companies and book your date. Popular months and the end of the month book up first.
Check what insurance the company includes and read recent reviews. A cheap quote with no cover can cost more in the end.
2. Declutter Start
Walk through every room with a notebook and list what to donate, sell or throw away. Everything you get rid of now is one less thing to wrap and carry.
A proper declutter takes 8 to 12 hours in total. Spread it over two weekends so you don’t burn out.
For quick wins while you pack, see my packing and moving hacks.
6 Weeks Out
3. Gather Supplies
Order boxes in several sizes, plus wardrobe boxes, tape, markers, labels, packing paper and stretch wrap.
Get more boxes than you think. Running out halfway through is one of the most frustrating parts of a move.
4. Pack Rarely-Used Items
Pack the storage room, attic or cellar storage, off-season clothes, seasonal decor and anything you won’t need for two months.
Label each box with the room it’s going to and what’s inside. These boxes can sit in a corner until moving day.
4 Weeks Out
5. Notify Utilities and Services
Book the electricity contract and internet for the new place, and end them at the old one. Do it now so there’s no gap.
Arrange mail forwarding and update your address with your bank, employer and subscriptions. In Finland, one moving notification through Posti or the Digital and Population Data Services Agency updates most official records at once.
6. Pack Spare Rooms and Decor
Pack guest rooms, spare rooms, wall art, decor and most books.
Photograph gallery walls before you take them down so you can hang them the same way in the new place.
For the room-by-room method, see my guide to packing up a house for moving.
3 Weeks Out
7. Pack Non-Essentials
Pack kitchen things you don’t use daily, like serving platters, special pans and baking tins, plus most clothes, toys and hobby gear.
Aim to be about half packed by the end of this week.
2 Weeks Out
8. Pack Daily Kitchen and Living Room
Pack most of the kitchen, keeping only one set of plates, cups and cutlery, one pan and the kettle. Pack the living room except the sofa essentials.
Aim to be 70 to 80 percent packed by the end of this week.
9. Finalize Logistics
Confirm the movers, payment, arrival time and any lift or parking booking. Check how you’ll get the keys for the new place.
Book the final cleaning if you need one and confirm the date you hand back the old keys.
Use my apartment move-in checklist to plan the first days in the new home.
1 Week Out
10. Pack Final Essentials
Pack the bedroom except bedding and a few days of clothes, plus the bathroom except daily toiletries.
Pack a first-night box with toiletries, a change of clothes, phone chargers, bedding, medication, snacks, a kettle and mugs. It goes in your car, not the van.
11. Final Logistics and Mental Prep
Confirm every detail one last time. Defrost the freezer if it’s moving and sleep well the night before.
The mental side matters too. Expect to be tired and a bit short-tempered, and plan an easy dinner for the first night.
Moving Day Sequence
12. Morning Routine
Get up early, eat a proper breakfast and do a final walk-through. Confirm the movers’ arrival time.
Drink water and keep snacks nearby all day. Moving is tiring and it’s easy to forget to eat.
13. During the Move
Stay available to answer the movers’ questions, but let them work. Keep the first-night box and valuables with you.
Photograph any damage as it happens. Photos make insurance claims much easier.
Keep these close all day: my list of moving out essentials.
14. Arrival at the New Place
Open the first-night box first and make the bed, so there’s somewhere to collapse later.
The first night is for resting, not unpacking. Day two is for the kitchen and bathroom, and the rest can come over the following week.
Packing timeline FAQ
How early should I start packing for a move?
Six to eight weeks before moving day. Eight weeks out is for booking movers and decluttering, and packing starts at six.
What should I pack 4 weeks before moving?
Spare rooms, wall art, decor, guest bedrooms, books and anything you use rarely.
What week should I notify utilities about my move?
About four weeks out. Book the contracts for the new place and end the old ones, and arrange mail forwarding.
How packed should I be 2 weeks before moving?
About 70 to 80 percent. What’s left is the things you use every day.
What is the most important thing to do the week of the move?
Pack a first-night box with toiletries, clothes, chargers, bedding and snacks, and keep it with you.
Should I move myself or hire movers?
For anything bigger than a small one-bedroom apartment, insured movers usually save time and stress. For a studio, friends and a rented van can work well. Once you’ve settled in, celebrate the new place with one of these housewarming party themes that fit a real apartment.
Key takeaways
- Use a six to eight week countdown with tasks for each week.
- Eight weeks out: book movers and start decluttering.
- Six weeks out: buy supplies and pack rarely used things.
- Four weeks out: sort utilities, mail forwarding and spare rooms.
- Two weeks out: pack the kitchen and living room and confirm logistics.
- One week out: first-night box, final checks and rest.
Final thoughts
A packing timeline for moving turns one overwhelming job into small weekly tasks. Start eight weeks out, follow the list and you’ll arrive at moving day mostly packed, with a box of essentials and the energy to enjoy your first night in the new place.
Last update on 2026-11-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
