Your NYC Moving Checklist: A Week-by-Week Timeline

Moving in New York City rewards people who plan ahead. Freight elevators get booked, buildings want paperwork, and the best move dates fill up fast, especially in summer. Use this week-by-week checklist to stay ahead of all of it.

8 weeks out

• Set your budget and get estimates from licensed movers. Book early to lock in your date.
• Start a "move folder" (digital is fine) for your lease, building rules, and quotes.
• Begin decluttering. Every box you don't move is money saved.

6 weeks out

• Confirm your mover and move date in writing.
• Check both buildings' move-out and move-in rules: allowed days and hours, freight elevator reservations, and whether they require a Certificate of Insurance (COI). A good mover provides the COI for you, so just send them the building's requirements.
• Order packing supplies, or arrange full-service packing with your mover.

4 weeks out

• Reserve the freight elevator at both ends for your move window.
• Start packing rarely used rooms (closets, storage, off-season items).
• File a change of address with USPS, and note any subscriptions or deliveries to update.
• If your timelines don't line up, arrange storage to bridge the gap.

2 weeks out

• Confirm parking for the truck. In many NYC neighborhoods you'll want to clear space or arrange a permit.
• Transfer or set up utilities and internet at the new place.
• Pack in earnest, labeling boxes by room.

1 week out

• Pack an "essentials" bag: medications, chargers, documents, a change of clothes, basic tools.
• Confirm the final details with your mover: arrival window, contact, and payment.
• Defrost the fridge and finish perishables.

Move day

• Be reachable and keep your essentials bag with you.
• Do a final walkthrough: closets, cabinets, behind doors.
• Check that the building's COI is on file and the elevator is reserved.
• Note the meter reading and take condition photos for your records.

The shortcut

Most of the NYC-specific headaches, like COIs, elevator reservations, and building rules, are things an experienced mover handles every day. Scanio has been navigating New York buildings since 1941. Request a free estimate and we'll help you build the timeline around your dates.