The Ultimate Apartment Moving Checklist

A smooth apartment move comes down to one thing: planning ahead. Use this timeline to stay organized from the moment you give notice to the day you get your keys. Apartment moves have a few extra steps a house move doesn't — elevators, COIs, parking — so we've built those in.

4–6 weeks before

• Confirm your move-out date and give notice to your landlord.
• Book your movers early, especially for weekends or the 1st/last of the month.
• Start decluttering — donate or sell what you won't take.
• Ask both buildings about move-in/out rules, elevator reservations, and loading zones.

2–3 weeks before

• Order or gather packing supplies, or book packing service.
• Ask your new building whether they require a Certificate of Insurance (COI) — if so, send us the requirements and we'll handle it.
• Submit change-of-address with USPS and update your bank, employer, and subscriptions.
• Start packing non-essentials (books, décor, off-season clothes).

1 week before

• Reserve the elevator and a parking/loading spot at both buildings for move day.
• Pack everything except daily essentials. Label each box by room.
• Set aside an "open-first" box: chargers, toiletries, a change of clothes, basic tools.
• Confirm the time and details with your movers.

Moving day

• Have boxes sealed, labeled, and staged near the door.
• Keep valuables and important documents with you.
• Do a final walkthrough — closets, cabinets, balcony — before you hand back keys.
• Point the crew to the elevator and parking you reserved so the job stays quick.

After the move

• Check items against your inventory as they come off the truck.
• Unpack the essentials box first, then room by room.
• Test smoke detectors and locate the breaker box and water shut-off.

Want the heavy lifting handled by a crew that knows apartment buildings inside and out? Get a free quote from Orlando Apartment Movers — studios to three-bedrooms, across Orlando and Central Florida.