Moving & Checklist
Moving & Checklist
Starting your moving journey early is the best way to ensure success. For Houston residents, this means organizing schedules and materials at least two months before the big day. Pack a separate "Essentials Bag" with toiletries, chargers, and important documents like your birth certificate or closing papers. Clearly label all boxes with the destination room and a brief inventory to make unpacking in neighborhoods like Katy or The Woodlands much faster. Stay hydrated, especially during the summer humidity, and keep snacks on hand. Maintain open communication with your Ameritex crew lead and have a list of important contacts ready, including your insurance agent and utility providers. Taking short breaks throughout the day will keep you refreshed and ready to settle into your new Bayou City home.
To transfer utilities in Houston, use the Power to Choose website for electricity and contact Houston Water Bills for water and sewer. For natural gas, reach out to CenterPoint Energy. It is best to schedule these transfers at least 24 hours before your move-in date to ensure your new home is cooled and functional upon arrival.
In the final 24 hours, confirm your arrival window with Ameritex Movers, finish packing your "First Night" bag, and defrost your refrigerator. Ensure all walkways and driveways are clear of obstacles and that you have your accepted payment method ready. A good night’s sleep is essential for the busy day ahead!
To change your address, visit USPS.com to set up mail forwarding and update your Texas driver’s license via the DPS website within 30 days. You should also update your voter registration and notify your bank, employer, and insurance providers of your new Houston-area zip code to ensure uninterrupted service.
Houston high-rises typically require service elevator reservations, a Certificate of Insurance (COI) from your mover, and adherence to specific moving hours (often 9 AM – 5 PM). Contact your building manager in areas like the Galleria or Downtown at least two weeks early to secure your slot and avoid fines.
Start packing non-essential items like seasonal decor and books 6 weeks before your move. Gradually move to daily necessities, aiming to be 100% packed 2 days before the moving truck arrives. This staggered approach reduces last-minute stress and ensures you have time to properly protect fragile items.
Verify a mover’s license on the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) website. A reputable Houston mover like Ameritex will have a valid TxDMV and USDOT number, a physical office address, and clear online reviews. Always review the "Your Rights & Responsibilities" brochure before signing a contract.
For their safety and to reduce stress, we recommend boarding your pets or leaving them with a friend on moving day. If they must be on-site, keep them in a secure kennel or a quiet, separate room with plenty of water and ventilation, especially during the humid Houston summer months.
If moving during hurricane season (June–Nov), include water-resistant bins for documents, a 3-day supply of water/food, a battery-powered fan, and heavy-duty plastic sheeting. Ameritex Movers monitors local weather and will coordinate with you if a tropical storm or hurricane impacts your scheduled move date.
Use the "Three-Box Method": Keep, Donate, and Sell. Host a garage sale in your Houston neighborhood, list items on Facebook Marketplace, or donate to local charities like the Salvation Army or Goodwill. Reducing your inventory before the estimate can significantly lower your moving costs.
Before move day, measure the width of all doorways, hallways, and stairwells in your new residence. Use a digital floor plan or a simple tape measure to ensure your "Texas-sized" furniture—like king beds or sectionals—can fit through the entry points of your new home in areas like The Heights or Sugar Land.
A Binding Estimate is a guaranteed price based on a fixed inventory. A Not-to-Exceed Estimate is based on an hourly rate but sets a maximum cap on the total price.
Ameritex Movers provides clear contracts for both, ensuring Houston residents understand their costs before the first box is loaded.
Pack a box with bed linens, towels, a shower curtain, basic tools (like a box cutter), a coffee maker, and chargers. Clearly label this box "OPEN FIRST" and have the movers load it last so it’s the first thing off the truck when you arrive at your new Houston-area residence.
In most Houston residential areas, moving trucks can park on the street or in a driveway without a permit. However, in gated communities or dense areas like the Museum District, you may need to notify your HOA or reserve street space. Always ensure the truck doesn't block hydrants or neighbors' driveways.
Arrange for a babysitter or family member to watch young children off-site. If they must stay, create a "Kid’s Zone" in a safe room with toys, a tablet, and snacks. This keeps them away from heavy lifting and moving equipment, ensuring a faster and safer relocation for your Houston family.
A Household Goods Proposal is your official moving contract. It outlines the inventory, estimated costs, services (like packing or assembly), and the terms of the move.
In Texas, you must sign this document before the movers begin, as it protects both you and the moving company during the relocation.
Hydration is key. Provide plenty of cold water and Gatorade for yourself and the moving crew. Start the move as early as possible (8:00 AM) to avoid the mid-afternoon sun. Keep the air conditioning running in both your old and new homes as long as possible to prevent heat-related fatigue.
Before the movers leave, check every closet, cabinet, attic, and garage to ensure nothing was left behind. Inspect the moving truck to verify it is completely empty. Finally, walk through your new Houston home to ensure all items were placed correctly and that no damage occurred to the premises during the move.
Notify your HOA or gate guard at least a week in advance to provide the moving company's name and truck details. Ask about weight limits on private roads and specific hours for "curbside loading." This prevents delays at the gate and ensures a smooth entry for your Ameritex moving crew.
Yes! Ameritex Movers offers referral discount for every new customer you book with us. We appreciate our Houston community's loyalty and love it when our satisfied "neighbors" recommend us to their friends and family moving in neighborhoods like The Heights, Montrose, or Pearland.
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We are a local Houston moving company that was born in the living room of a college apartment. We love serving the Houston community because we are proud to be a part of it. That dedication shows — our team has completed over 100,000 moves with a 95% word-of-mouth referral rate. On top of that, we were named one of the 100 fastest-growing companies in the Houston area two years in a row.
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Congratulations on your new place! However, house or apartment hunting is only the beginning. You still have to get all of your belongings from A to B in one piece.
When it comes to moving, it can be difficult keeping up with the various moving tasks and when to do them. So, to help you keep track of what to do and when, we’ve created the ultimate moving checklist for you.
For your convenience, we’ve included a thorough moving checklist, a more compact infographic, and a fun video. Once you have a handle on the big picture, the infographic and video will help you remember all the main points. No matter your prep style, be sure to carefully read through everything. We recommend bookmarking or printing the infographic to help you keep track of everything you need to do.
Sticking to a smart timeline can make the difference between a smooth moving process and a moving disaster. You’ll save yourself time and stress by letting this master moving checklist guide your move.
Moving Checklist and Timeline
1-2 Months Before Your Move
Some people tend to procrastinate the details of their move. Don’t let this happen to you — it’s easy to stay ahead of the game if you work a little at a time. Starting early is the easiest way to stay on track.
- Coordinate your movers. It’s especially important to do this early if you’re moving during a busy season, or if you want a popular timeslot, like during a weekend or morning.
- Give proper notice to your landlord before moving out. Read your lease to find out how much advance notice you need to give.
- Notify the post office of your address change. Other places you’ll need to contact include:
- Your employer
- Banks and lenders
- Government facilities
- Memberships and subscriptions
- Schools and churches
- Care providers
- Transfer utilities to your new place.
- Arrange for home or renter insurance.
- Start thinking about your belongings. Specifically, what will you take and what will you leave behind? Make arrangements for any items that require extra coverage or specialized packing.
- Keep all moving contracts, receipts, checklists, and inventories in one place. A binder or accordion folder is ideal to keep track of all your important documents.
1-2 Weeks Before Moving
At this point, your biggest concern is probably packing. Don’t panic — you still have a reasonable amount of time to get it done. Instead of allowing the packing process to consume you, take breaks to work on other tasks.
- If you’re moving into an apartment complex, find out management’s policy on elevator and parking lot reservations. Make them if needed.
- Pack your non-essentials first. These are items like seasonal and special-occasion clothing. Then go room by room.
- If possible, take some time to explore your new neighborhood. Scope out the places you’ll need first, like schools, medical care, and restaurants.
- Ask your moving company any last-minute questions.
- Make an inventory list. Know how many boxes you have for each room, as well as furniture items. A reputable moving company will keep track for themselves, but it never hurts to have a backup.
1-2 Days Before
You’re probably feeling the pressure by now. Moving day is imminent, and you’re wondering if you’re going to make the deadline. But if you’ve stuck with the checklist so far, your remaining tasks are reasonable. Don’t give up now — you’re almost at the finish line.
- Clean your old apartment unit, and consider hiring professional cleaners. This will help guarantee you get your deposit back.
- Inspect your new place. Carefully investigate the condition of everything in your new home. If you’re buying a home, your realtor will walk through with you. But if you’re renting, you have more at stake. Check out the flooring, test appliances, plumbing, and electrical wiring. Make notes and snap pictures. All of this will ensure you aren’t left with hefty fines when you move out.
- Make sure everything is properly packed, organized, and labeled. Color code your packing.
- Prep your appliances for move-out. Make sure everything is clean, and unplug your refrigerator if needed. If you rent, ask the building owner about how you should handle this.
- Take your valuables from their safe place, and keep them with you at all times during the moving process.
- Finalize which items will come with you, instead of in the moving van. Remember to verify what your movers can’t move.
Move Day
The day has finally arrived — all of your hard work is paying off!. While moving day can be hectic, take some time to snap pictures and make memories. Let your movers take over, and enjoy it as much as possible. The hard part is over!
Keep reading for other ways to ensure your move goes off without a hitch.
Before Your Movers Arrive
- Keep pets and small children out of the way, both for their own safety and the ease of moving. You might consider having them stay with a friend or relative for the duration of the move. This will make them more comfortable, away from the stress of moving.
- Do a sweep of your old home, both before and after the movers do their thing. Be sure to double check easy-to-miss places like bathroom cabinets and hall closets.
- Make sure your new home is squeaky clean before you start moving all of your stuff inside. It’s much easier to do a quick spot clean than it is to work around boxes and furniture. Do this before the movers arrive.
After Your Movers Leave
- Tip your moving crew — they worked hard today!
- Check your utilities first thing. Nothing could be more irritating than getting all moved in, and finding that you have no power.
- After everything is in your new place, do a final walk-through to make sure you’re not missing anything. Check that inventory list.
- Unpack your necessities and overnight box first. Make the process enjoyable by cranking up some fun music. Enlist friends and family if you can, and take lots of breaks.
- Enjoy your new home!
Watch the video below for more details on your moving checklist:
Looking for the Best Movers in Houston?
Ameritex Movers has an excellent reputation for providing a Stress-Free Move all over the Houston area. We’ve topped industry lists for over a decade. Time and time again, our customers return to us for all their moving needs. In addition, we enjoy a referral rate over 95%. We are licensed and insured home, office, and apartment movers. Whether you’re moving to a swanky mansion in Bellaire or a trendy loft in West University, we’ll get the job done smoothly.
Whatever you need, Ameritex can customize a moving experience just for you. Our friendly customer service representatives will be with you every step of the way. Once you let us know the specifics of your move, we’ll take care of the details. In addition, we work with nearly any budget or circumstance. Our services include:
- Packing and unpacking
- Loading and unloading
- Safe and timely transport
- Full-service moving packages
- Moving and packing supplies
- Home staging
- Senior moves
- Heavy or hard-to-move objects
- Last-minute moves
Fill out the form above for a stress-free moving quote. We can help you accomplish everything on your moving checklist. Call us today!