Moving checklist and planning Your strategic roadmap for a smooth home move, including PDF download
Keep track of everything at all times: with our checklists and digital services, you can plan your move step by step – simply, transparently and perfectly organised.
✓ Milestones at a glance: The most important steps at a glance.
✓ Why a checklist matters: The key benefits of structured moving planning.
✓ Timeline by phase: All to-dos from preparation through to after the move.
✓ PDF checklist: Practical to download, print and tick off.
✓ Formalities: Important addresses, contracts and official procedures at a glance.
✓ FAQ: Clear answers to frequently asked questions about moving.
Plan easily with DACHSER & KOLB. Use our moving cost calculator. Get a quote and expert advice. Book a survey. Move.
Which 6 milestones ensure a smooth move?
Meet deadlines and cancel contracts
Check notice periods, rental agreement and handover dates early.
Set the moving date and logistics
With a fixed date, all tasks can be planned properly.
Organise a moving company or helpers
Secure capacity in good time to ensure a smooth process.
Update addresses and contracts
Update electricity, internet, bank and insurance details early.
Pack and label inventory systematically
Labelled boxes save time and prevent chaos when unpacking.
Prepare the apartment handover and report
A handover report, meter readings and keys ensure a clean and orderly process.
Why are a moving checklist and structured planning important?
A move is not a single event, but a project with deadlines, dependencies and many parallel tasks. This is exactly why structured moving planning is essential: it creates clarity, prioritises the right steps at the right time and reduces operational errors. A good moving checklist makes the process plannable, transparent and significantly less stressful.
5 benefits of structured moving planning
Better overview
You always know what has already been completed and what needs to be done next.
Less stress
Clear priorities reduce mental pressure and prevent last-minute chaos.
Better schedule reliability
Deadlines, service providers, temporary no-parking zones and handovers can be coordinated in good time.
Lower cost risks
Double payments, express solutions and unnecessary additional work can be avoided.
Cleaner handover and follow-up
Documentation, meter readings and handover reports are prepared and do not get overlooked.
What does the perfect moving checklist look like?
Our structured roadmap guides you safely through all to-dos in 6 phases – from the initial planning to a relaxed move-in at your new home.
3 months before the move – organisational preparation
The foundation for a stress-free move is laid early:
- Rental agreement and deadlines: Terminate your old apartment in writing and in compliance with the required notice periods.
- New living space: Check and sign the new rental agreement and transfer the deposit.
- Professional logistics: Set your moving date and hire a specialist company such as DACHSER & KOLB.
- Time management: Apply for moving leave from your employer in good time.
- Check options and feasibility: Make sure your furniture fits into the new apartment and through the stairwell.
- Bundle important documents: Keep your rental agreement, termination notice, handover dates and contact persons in one central place.
- Check insurance: Review early whether your household contents and liability insurance still fit your new living situation.
2 months before the move – inventory and formalities
Reduce clutter and take care of the administrative basics:
- Decluttering: Clear out your basement, attic and garage.
- Inventory: Create a detailed moving goods list for an accurate cost calculation.
- Resources: Get professional packing materials such as moving boxes and bubble wrap.
- Contract management: Update telephone, internet, electricity and insurance contracts in good time.
- Prepare address changes: List all organisations and contacts that need to receive your new address in time.
- Coordinate internet and energy: Clarify connection dates, contract changes and responsibilities for the new apartment.
1 month before the move – intensive moving organisation
Now the detailed planning for a smooth process begins:
- Services: Apply for temporary no-parking zones for both apartments and set up a mail forwarding order with the postal service.
- Organisation: Schedule appointments for bulky waste disposal, meter readings and childcare or pet care.
- Infrastructure: Put together your toolbox and inform your neighbours about the moving date.
- Preparation: Complete final cosmetic repairs and order new furniture, taking delivery times into account.
- Prepare official matters: Plan the registration of your new place of residence and check whether your vehicle also needs to be re-registered.
- Prepare the handover: Confirm the date, number of keys and process for the apartment handover.
1–2 weeks before the move – intensive moving organisation
Final preparation for the big day:
- Systematic packing: Seal and label all moving boxes logically by room to ensure efficient unloading. Always use sealable boxes for loose small items and, when using third-party boxes or plastic crates, make sure they meet the standard logistics size. The DACHSER & KOLB “Expert” box measures 58 x 37 x 37 cm, ensuring safe stacking in the truck.
- Equipment and catering: Defrost refrigerators and freezers and organise food and drinks for the moving team.
- Check-in bag: Pack a suitcase with personal essentials and all important valuables.
- Tradesperson check: Confirm appointments with tradespeople and create a furnishing plan for the new apartment.
- Prepare documents: Keep IDs, contracts, meter numbers, keys and contact details within easy reach.
- Structure meter readings and handover: Prepare which values need to be documented and which points should be recorded in the handover report.
Moving day – efficient execution
Full control on the decisive day:
- Protection: Protect the floors with fleece and check the stairwell for any existing damage.
- Coordination: Brief the moving team and hand furnishing plans directly to the helpers.
- Handover: Read all meter readings, complete the handover report and hand over the keys.
- Assembly: Install lighting and nameplates, and reassemble your furniture in a structured way.
- Ensure availability: Keep your phone, charger, documents and contact persons available at all times.
After the move – settling in and setting up
Complete the project successfully:
- Authorities: Register your new place of residence and your vehicles with the residents’ registration office or vehicle registration authority.
- Finances: Clarify the return of your deposit with your previous landlord.
- Social: Introduce yourself to your new neighbours and celebrate your new home with friends and family.
- Update your address: Inform your bank, employer, health insurance provider, insurance companies and ongoing contract partners of your new address.
- Check utilities: Make sure that electricity, water, heating, internet and telephone services are working as planned in your new home.
- File documents properly: Keep the handover report, receipts, invoices and contract confirmations in one central place.
What do I need to update, cancel or organise when moving?
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Residents’ registration office: Register your new place of residence within the required deadline after the move.
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Electricity provider: Report the old contract, submit the meter reading and register the new address.
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Gas provider: Clarify supply for both the old and new apartment.
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Water / heating: Document meter readings and record the handover properly.
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Internet and telephone: Notify the provider of the moving date or arrange a new connection in good time.
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Insurance: Review and adjust household contents, liability and, if applicable, residential building insurance.
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Banks and financial service providers: Update your new address.
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Employer: Inform your employer of your new address and coordinate moving leave if necessary.
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Health insurance provider, doctors, schools, childcare centres and other important contacts: Notify them of the move.
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Postal service: Set up a mail forwarding order.
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Vehicle registration office: Re-register your vehicle if required.
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Broadcasting fee / contribution service: Check the new living situation and update your address.
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Subscriptions, memberships, online shops and delivery services: Change them to your new address.
FAQ – frequently asked questions about the moving checklist and planning
When should you start planning a move?
Ideally, you should start around 2 to 3 months before the move. This gives you enough lead time for notice periods, comparing quotes, updating registrations and organising packing materials or helpers.
When should you hire a moving company?
As soon as the moving date has been confirmed. Especially for larger moves, long distances, tight timeframes or special transports, you should make an enquiry early.
What do I absolutely need to do after moving?
After the move, you should register your new place of residence, update contracts and addresses, document meter readings, clarify any outstanding handover issues and make the most important rooms functional first.
Is the moving checklist also available as a PDF?
Yes. You can download the moving checklist as a PDF, print it out and tick off each step as you go.
Which contracts do I need to update or cancel when moving?
The most important contracts include utilities such as electricity and gas, internet and telephone connections, as well as insurance policies. You should also remember to set up a mail forwarding order with the postal service so that important correspondence continues to reach you without interruption.
What should be included in a legally sound apartment handover report?
A professional handover report should include the condition of the walls, floors and windows, the number of keys handed over and the current meter readings for water, electricity and heating, ideally documented with photos.
How can I optimise the costs of my move?
Costs can be reduced by decluttering early to lower the moving volume, comparing moving quotes, choosing a weekday instead of a weekend, and claiming the move for tax purposes as a household-related service or as work-related expenses if the move is job-related.
Why is a moving checklist relevant for a smooth home move?
It serves as a strategic roadmap that ensures statutory notice periods are met, transport capacities are secured in good time and bureaucratic re-registrations are completed without gaps. Its chronological structure reduces mental load, prevents costly planning mistakes and ensures legal protection during the apartment handover.
Why DACHSER & KOLB is the right choice
Individual consultation
Detailed needs analysis for tailored moving solutions.
Moving planning from A to Z
Complete moving planning: from packing to unloading, all from a single source.
Reliable network
Global network for safe, seamless transport.
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Donna Draganov
Teamlead Customer Service & Sales - ROAD
