A move that goes smoothly almost always has the same root cause: someone planned it far enough in advance that moving day held no surprises. Hiring a reputable moving company is a big part of that, but so is building a clear plan you can follow week by week. This checklist is for anyone relocating to or within Santa Clarita who wants to stay ahead of the process from start to finish.
Casey and Kelly Kirkman have operated our company in the Santa Clarita Valley since 1996, and the moves that fall apart usually come down to a few common problems: not enough lead time, missing written documentation, or a gap in the plan that nobody thought to close.
Eight Weeks Before Your Move
Start here, especially for summer moves.
Research and contact at least two or three moving companies. For every company you are considering, ask for a CAL-T PUC number (required for all California moves) and verify it at cpuc.ca.gov. If you are moving out of state, also ask for a US DOT number. Do not book anything until you have confirmed licensing and received a written estimate.
Schedule in-home estimates. A phone quote is not a real number. It does not account for volume, access conditions, or specialty items. An in-home walkthrough is the only reliable basis for what you will actually pay. We provide free in-home estimates for every job, with no obligation to book.
Start decluttering. Any item you do not move does not cost anything to move. Removing unwanted items before the estimator arrives brings your quote down and reduces your packing time.
Begin researching your new neighborhood. If you are relocating within the SCV, utility providers, school enrollment, and HOA requirements vary by community. If you are moving out of state through the National Van Lines network, research your destination city now.
Six Weeks Before Your Move
Book your mover once you have compared estimates and verified licensing. For summer moves (May through August), six weeks out is the minimum. For fall, winter, and spring, it is generally sufficient, though earlier is always better.
Notify your employer, schools, banks, insurance providers, and subscription services of your upcoming address change. Submit a USPS mail forwarding request around this time.
If you are renting, give your landlord written notice per the terms of your lease. If you are buying, align your moving date with your confirmed closing timeline.
Gather packing supplies if you are doing any packing yourself. Uniform-sized boxes stack better, are easier to load, and are less likely to collapse under weight.
Four Weeks Before Your Move
Confirm all details with your mover in writing: pickup date, delivery window, price, and exactly which services are included. If you have discussed specialty items, a piano, gym equipment, or antiques, make sure the written estimate reflects the specific handling required for each.
Set up utilities at your new address. Electricity, gas, internet, and water should all have confirmed start dates before moving day. Arriving to a home with no power is avoidable.
If your move-out and move-in dates do not line up, confirm your storage arrangements now. We run our own storage facility with over 40,000 square feet, 24-hour surveillance, and private vaults. When we handle your move, the first two months of storage are at no charge. Items go directly from your home into our facility and are delivered to your new address when you are ready.
Two Weeks Before Your Move
Begin packing non-essential items: off-season clothing, books, decorative pieces, and anything you will not need in the next two weeks.
Label every box with two things: what is inside and what room it belongs in at your new home. Boxes labeled only with a room name give the crew a destination but leave you guessing during unpacking. Boxes labeled only with contents give you reference but no way to direct traffic on moving day.
Arrange care for children and pets on moving day. Having them present creates safety risks and slows the crew down.
One Week Before Moving Day
Pack everything except daily essentials. The kitchen is typically the last room to pack and should be done three to four days before the move.
Prepare an essentials bag to travel with you: government-issued ID, your signed estimate and order for service, medications, phone chargers, a change of clothes, and anything you will need for the first 48 hours without access to your boxes.
Confirm the crew’s arrival time with your moving company and confirm that parking and access are cleared at both properties.
Moving Day
Be present for the entire loading process, or have a trusted representative there. Walk through every room with the crew before they begin to confirm what is going and what is staying.
Review and sign the bill of lading before loading begins. The agreed price, pickup and delivery dates, and your liability coverage type should all be accurate. Keep your signed copy accessible for the entire move.
After loading is complete, do a final walkthrough of your old home. Check every closet, cabinet, the garage, and the backyard. Items left behind are the most common last-minute problem.
At your new home, walk through with the crew after everything is unloaded. If you notice any damage, note it on the bill of lading delivery receipt before the crew leaves. Our crew members, including Oscar and Matthew, are trained to do this walkthrough with you before the job closes.
After the Move
Update your driver’s license and vehicle registration with your new Santa Clarita address. In California, you have 10 days to update your registration and a 10-day window for your license if you have moved to a new county.
Register to vote at your new address if applicable. Confirm school enrollment for any children. Dispose of packing materials you do not need.
File any damage claims with your mover promptly. The claims timeline is spelled out in your contract.
Walk through your new home over the first week to confirm everything is working: appliances, HVAC, plumbing, electrical. Do this before any applicable home warranty expires.
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