The Ultimate Moving Checklist for Metro Detroit Residents
Plan your move like a pro with this complete step-by-step guide from Pack Men Moving
Moving in or around Metro Detroit? Whether you’re relocating to a downtown Detroit apartment, settling into a new home in Troy, or moving a family across Oakland County, a well-planned move can make all the difference. At Pack Men Moving, we’ve helped hundreds of families, professionals, and businesses move across Southeast Michigan. We’ve compiled this ultimate checklist to make your move smoother, faster, and more organized than ever.
✅ 8 Weeks Before Your Move: Start Strong
Research and Book Your Moving Company
Don’t wait until the last minute. Search for licensed and insured moving companies in Metro Detroit. Get written estimates, check reviews, and confirm availability.
🔹 Pro tip: Book Pack Men Moving early to secure your preferred date.
Declutter and Downsize
Sort through closets, cabinets, and storage. Donate, sell, or toss items you no longer use. This will save on packing time and moving costs.
Create a Moving Binder
Keep all your receipts, contracts, checklists, and inventory in one place. Whether digital or paper, it’ll keep you organized.
✅ 6 Weeks Before Your Move: Prep and Plan
Order Moving Supplies
Boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, permanent markers, and labels. Choose quality materials to protect your items.
🔹 Need supplies? Ask Pack Men Moving about our packing services and supply packages.
Take Inventory
Create a room-by-room list of everything you plan to move. This helps with insurance and unpacking later.
Notify Schools & Employers
If you’re changing school districts, notify schools and transfer records. Let your employer know your schedule if you’ll need time off.
✅ 4 Weeks Before Your Move: Get Serious
Start Packing Non-Essentials
Begin with seasonal clothes, décor, books, and other non-daily items. Label each box with contents and destination room.
Schedule Utilities
Contact DTE, Consumers Energy, internet providers, and the City of Detroit or local municipalities for water and trash services.
Confirm Parking and Elevator Access
If you’re moving to or from an apartment in downtown Detroit, Royal Oak, or Southfield, confirm truck parking or elevator reservations with property managers.
✅ 2 Weeks Before Your Move: Final Logistics
Update Your Address
Notify the USPS, banks, credit cards, insurance companies, and subscription services. Update your driver’s license with the Michigan Secretary of State.
Prep Appliances and Electronics
Unplug, defrost, and clean your fridge. Take pictures of wiring setups for TVs and electronics.
Confirm With Your Movers
Double-check the date, time, and address with your movers. Pack Men Moving provides text or email confirmation to keep you informed.
✅ 1 Week Before Your Move: Final Touches
Pack an Essentials Box
Include clothes, chargers, toiletries, important documents, snacks, and medications.
Dispose of Hazardous Items
Paint, propane, and chemicals can’t be moved by professional movers. Contact your city’s waste disposal for safe removal.
✅ Moving Day: Stay Focused and Flexible
Protect Floors and Walls
Use drop cloths or ask your movers to protect high-traffic areas. Pack Men Moving always brings floor runners and padding.
Do a Final Walkthrough
Check every closet, cabinet, and drawer before leaving. Don’t forget to lock up and leave behind keys or garage openers if required.
Welcome to Your New Home
Unpack the essentials first. Set up your bed and kitchen before diving into boxes. Make sure utilities are on and everything’s in working order.
Bonus: Local Moving Tips for Metro Detroit Residents
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Winter Moves: Keep sidewalks and driveways clear of snow and ice.
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Downtown Detroit: Ask about street closures and reserve moving truck permits if needed.
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Oakland County: Expect delays near Woodward Avenue during peak hours. Early morning moves are best.
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New to the area? Check out local Facebook groups or neighborhood apps like Nextdoor to get connected.
Why Choose Pack Men Moving?
We’re not just another moving company. We’re your neighbors, and we take pride in delivering safe, affordable, and reliable moving services across Metro Detroit. Our experienced team knows how to handle everything from tight city apartments to large suburban homes.
✅ Licensed & insured
✅ Locally owned
✅ Transparent pricing
✅ 5-star reviews across Google and Yelp
Ready to Make Your Move?
Let Pack Men Moving make it easy. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation moving quote and see why we’re Metro Detroit’s most trusted moving team.
Moving into a new home can be exciting, but packing is often the most dreaded part of the process. At Pack Men Moving Company, we know a thing or two about making moving day go smoothly. One of the biggest ways you can reduce stress is by starting with a solid packing plan. Whether you’re relocating across Metro Detroit or making a long-distance move, these expert packing tips will help you stay organized and protect your belongings.
- Start Early and Create a Plan
Procrastination is your worst enemy when it comes to packing. Start at least three weeks in advance and tackle one room at a time. Create a checklist of what needs to be packed, donated, or thrown away. Label each box with the room it belongs to and a brief description of its contents.
- Declutter Before You Pack
Moving is the perfect opportunity to lighten your load. Go through each room and decide what you really need. Donate gently used items, recycle what you can, and throw out anything broken or unnecessary. Fewer items mean less to pack—and less to unpack.
- Use the Right Packing Materials
Invest in high-quality packing supplies like sturdy boxes, bubble wrap, packing paper, and strong tape. Don’t forget specialty boxes for things like TVs, dishes, and wardrobe items. Using the right materials reduces the risk of damage during transport.
- Label Everything Clearly
Use a black marker to label each box on multiple sides with the room name and a quick summary of what’s inside. You can even color-code by room to make unloading at your new place faster and easier. Trust us—this simple step will save you hours of frustration later.
- Pack Essentials Separately
Designate one or two boxes as “Day One Essentials.” Include things like toiletries, phone chargers, basic kitchen items, important documents, a change of clothes, and snacks. This way, you won’t be digging through boxes the first night in your new home.
- Protect Fragile Items
Wrap fragile items individually using bubble wrap or packing paper. Fill empty spaces in boxes with soft items like towels or clothing to prevent movement during the move. Clearly mark boxes as “Fragile” so our team can handle them with extra care.
- Don’t Overpack Boxes
It’s tempting to cram as much as possible into each box, but overloading makes them heavy and harder to carry, not to mention more likely to break. Keep the weight of each box under 50 pounds when possible and use smaller boxes for heavier items like books.
At Pack Men Moving Company, we’re more than just movers—we’re your partners in making moving day a success. By following these simple packing tips, you’ll save time, reduce stress, and ensure your belongings arrive safely. And when you’re ready to move, our professional team is here to help every step of the way.
Need help with packing or want a full-service move? Contact Pack Men Moving Company today for a free estimate and let us take the weight off your shoulders….literally!