Reviewed & updated by WordNExcel Team — Updated October 31, 2026
A moving checklist template helps you plan a house move step by step, so nothing important is forgotten in the busy weeks before moving day. On this page you can download three free moving checklist templates in Excel: a week-by-week moving checklist with automatic due dates, a moving box inventory that tracks what is in every box, and a moving cost budget that compares estimated and actual costs.
Each file is a real, editable .xlsx spreadsheet built for this page. Enter your moving day once and every task on the checklist gets its own due date, counting back from the big day. Mark tasks as done and the sheet shows your progress. The box inventory counts boxes and fragile items, and the budget totals your costs and shows where you are over or under your estimate.
Free download: 3 templates (.xlsx). Works in Excel and Google Sheets. No sign-up needed.
What Is a Moving Checklist?
A moving checklist is a list of tasks to complete before, during and after a move, usually grouped by time, such as eight weeks before, four weeks before and moving week. It covers everything from booking movers and collecting boxes to changing your address, arranging utilities and cleaning the old home.
Moving involves dozens of small jobs that are easy to forget until it is too late, such as booking time off work, defrosting the freezer or telling the bank your new address. A checklist breaks the move into manageable steps and spreads the work over several weeks, which makes moving day much less stressful.
Download the Free Moving Checklist Templates
The three Excel files below help you plan the tasks, track your boxes and control your moving costs.
Moving Checklist
The main checklist lists tasks from eight weeks before the move to moving day, with columns for when, task, due date, who is responsible and done. Type your moving day at the top and the due dates update automatically. In the sample, moving day is December 12, 2026, so tasks for eight weeks before fall due 56 days earlier. A progress cell at the bottom shows how many tasks are done out of the total.
Moving Box Inventory
The box inventory has a row for each box with the box number, room, contents, a fragile mark, an approximate value and an unpacked column. Totals at the bottom show how many boxes are packed, how many are fragile and the total value. Write the box number on the box itself, and you can find anything quickly when you arrive at the new home.
Moving Cost Budget
The moving cost budget lists common costs, such as the moving company or van hire, packing supplies, fuel and travel, cleaning, storage, deposits and fees, utility connections, time off work, food on moving day and new home essentials. Enter an estimate for each cost, then the actual amount after you pay it, and the sheet shows the difference and the totals.
Moving Timeline: What to Do and When
Eight Weeks Before
- Set a moving budget using the cost budget template.
- Get quotes from several moving companies or van hire firms.
- Start clearing out items you no longer need: sell, donate or recycle them.
- Make a folder for quotes, contracts and receipts.
Six Weeks Before
- Book the movers or rent a van for moving day.
- Collect boxes, tape, bubble wrap and markers.
- Arrange school or childcare changes if you have children.
- Measure large furniture and check it will fit in the new home.
Four Weeks Before
- Give notice to your landlord or confirm the sale completion date.
- Start packing rooms you use least, such as the loft, garage and spare room.
- Book time off work for moving day.
- Start the box inventory as you pack.
Two Weeks Before
- Change your address with your bank, employer, doctor and other services.
- Arrange gas, electricity, water and internet at the new home.
- Confirm the moving company booking and the arrival time.
- Use up food in the freezer and cupboards.
One Week Before
- Pack most rooms and label every box with its number and room.
- Defrost the freezer.
- Pack an essentials box with chargers, medicines, toiletries, snacks, tools and bedding for the first night.
- Confirm parking or access for the moving truck.
Moving Day
- Take meter readings at the old and new homes, with photos.
- Do a final walk-through of every room, cupboard and drawer.
- Check boxes off the inventory as they are loaded and unloaded.
- Hand over keys and keep your essentials box with you.
How to Use the Moving Checklist Template
- Enter your moving day in the yellow cell at the top.
- Review the task list. Delete tasks you do not need and add your own rows.
- Write a name in the Who column so everyone in the household knows their jobs.
- Change Done to Yes when a task is finished. The progress cell updates automatically.
- Sort or filter by due date to see what needs to happen this week.
- Print the sheet and stick it on the fridge as a reminder for the whole family.
How to Label and Track Moving Boxes
A good labeling system saves hours when you unpack:
- Number every box and write the same number on the inventory sheet.
- Write the destination room on the top and on at least one side of the box.
- Mark fragile boxes clearly and record them as fragile in the inventory.
- List the main contents in a few words, such as “plates, bowls, mugs”.
- Use a different colored tape or sticker for each room.
- Mark boxes as unpacked in the inventory, so you can see what is left.
Moving Budget Tips
- Get at least three quotes and check what is included, such as packing, insurance and stairs.
- Ask about extra charges for long carries, parking or waiting time.
- Collect free boxes from shops and friends to save on packing supplies.
- Plan for deposits on the new home and fees for utility connections.
- Keep a small contingency for unexpected costs, such as extra boxes or a late key handover.
- Update the actual column as you pay so you can see if you are going over budget.
Moving Checklist for Renters and Home Owners
Renters should check the lease for notice periods and cleaning rules, take dated photos of the old home after cleaning and ask the landlord when the deposit will be returned. Home owners should keep in close contact with the agent or lawyer about completion dates and book movers only once the date is fixed. Both should take meter readings and keep copies of every contract and receipt.
Moving with Children and Pets
- Tell children about the move early and let them pack a box of their favorite things.
- Arrange the school transfer and ask for records to be sent to the new school.
- Book a pet sitter or kennel for moving day, or keep pets in a quiet room with a sign on the door.
- Update microchip details and your pet’s tag with the new address.
- Find a new doctor, dentist and vet near the new home.
After the Move
The checklist does not end on moving day. In the first week at the new home, unpack the kitchen and bedrooms first, check every box off the inventory and note any damage straight away so you can claim from the movers or your insurance. Register with local services, update your address on any accounts you missed, and compare your actual moving costs with your budget. Keep the completed files; they are useful the next time you move and for any tax or expense claims.
Related Templates
You can also check these important templates like the house cleaning checklist templates for the move-out clean, and the checklist templates for any other project.
You may also like the monthly budget templates for your first months in the new home, and the family emergency plan templates for updating your household plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start my moving checklist?
Ideally about eight weeks before moving day. That gives time to get quotes, clear out unwanted items and pack without rushing.
How do the automatic due dates work?
Each task has a number of weeks before the move. When you type your moving day, the sheet subtracts that time to show the due date for each task.
What should go in an essentials box?
Chargers, medicines, toiletries, important documents, a change of clothes, bedding, basic tools, snacks and a kettle or cups for the first night.
How do I keep track of my boxes?
Number every box, write its room and contents on the box inventory sheet, and check boxes off as they are loaded and unpacked.
How much should I budget for a move?
Costs depend on distance, the size of your home and whether you use movers. Get several quotes and use the moving cost budget to compare estimates with actual costs.
Can I use the templates in Google Sheets?
Yes. Upload the .xlsx files to Google Drive and open them with Google Sheets. The due dates and totals keep working.
