Last updated October 2026 · By Legend Movers 4 You
Moving after many years in one home is a big job. There are decades of belongings, a smaller space to plan, and a lot of small tasks that are easy to forget.
This checklist breaks it into weeks, from eight weeks out to the first night in the new home. It works whether you’re planning your own move or helping a parent. A printable version is at the end.
Questions? Call 407-440-1423. We answer 24/7.
8 weeks out: make the plan
Start early. Moving at a calm pace is easier on everyone.
- Pick a target move date. If you’re moving into a community, ask when the unit will be ready.
- Choose one person to keep the master list. A notebook or shared note on a phone works fine.
- Get the floor plan of the new home. Ask the community or landlord for a floor plan with room sizes. If there isn’t one, measure each room yourself on a visit.
- Start collecting written estimates from movers.
- Start talking about what to keep. Don’t decide everything at once. Just begin the conversation.
7 weeks out: plan the new space
The new home is usually smaller. A floor plan turns hard choices into simple ones: if it doesn’t fit, it doesn’t come.
- Measure your favorite furniture: the bed, recliner, dresser, dining table and anything you’d hate to leave.
- Sketch where it will go on the floor plan. Graph paper or a free room-planning app both work.
- Leave wide walking paths, especially from the bed to the bathroom.
- Count closets and cabinets in the new home. That tells you how much clothing and kitchenware will fit.
6 weeks out: make downsizing decisions
Go room by room. Sort everything into four groups:
- Keep: it fits the floor plan and gets used.
- Give to family or friends: ask now and set a pickup date.
- Donate or sell: schedule donation pickups early, since they can book up.
- Throw away or recycle.
A few tips that make this easier:
- Start with rooms that hold less emotion, like the garage, guest room or linen closet. Save photos and keepsakes for later.
- Work in short sessions. An hour or two a day is plenty.
- Take photos of things you’re letting go. The memory stays even when the item doesn’t.
- Keep a “maybe” box with a decision deadline.
5 weeks out: book the move and ask the community questions
- Book your movers. End-of-month dates fill first.
- Decide on packing. Will you pack yourself, get help from family, or hire packing services for some or all rooms?
If you’re moving into a 55+ or senior living community, ask:
- What days and hours are moves allowed?
- Do we need to reserve an elevator or loading area?
- Does the community need a certificate of insurance from the mover?
- Where can the moving truck park?
- What furniture is already in the unit, and what can’t we bring?
- Are there rules about rugs, space heaters, candles or appliances?
- When and where do we pick up keys, fobs and mailbox keys?
- How does mail delivery work?
- Who do we call on move day if there’s a problem?
Get the answers in writing if you can. Moving into a condo or apartment-style building? Our Orlando apartment moving checklist covers elevators, move hours and building rules in more detail.
4 weeks out: medications, documents and address changes
Medications
- Make a list of every medication, the dose and the prescribing doctor.
- Ask the pharmacy about transferring prescriptions if you’re changing pharmacies.
- Refill early so there’s at least a week’s supply on hand around move day.
- Plan to carry medications yourself. They never go on the truck.
Important documents
Gather these into one folder or bag that stays with you:
- IDs, Medicare and insurance cards
- Wills, powers of attorney and health care papers
- Bank, pension and investment information
- The lease or closing papers for the new home
- A list of doctors and phone numbers
Address changes
- File a change of address with USPS.
- Update Social Security, Medicare and any pension.
- Update banks, credit cards and insurance.
- Tell doctors, the pharmacy and any subscriptions.
- Update your driver license or ID and voter registration.
Moving within Central Florida or new to the area? Our Central Florida relocation resources page links to the official sites for licenses, tags, voting and utilities.
3 weeks out: utilities and services
- Schedule utility shutoff at the old home for the day after the move.
- Schedule start-up at the new home for the day before, so lights and air conditioning are on when you arrive.
- Set up phone, internet and TV at the new address. Book the install early.
- Cancel or move lawn care, pool service, newspaper and other regular services.
- Arrange care for pets on moving day.
2 weeks out: pack and label
- Pack the rooms you use least first.
- Label every box with the room it’s going to in the new home, not the old one. Use the names on your floor plan, like “Bedroom” or “Kitchen.”
- Write large and on two sides so the labels are easy to read.
- Use small boxes for heavy items like books, so no box is too heavy to lift.
- Mark fragile boxes clearly.
- Put a colored sticker on the boxes that need to be opened first.
- Confirm the date, arrival time and both addresses with your mover.
1 week out: pack a first-night box
This box rides with you, not on the truck. Pack enough for the first night and the next morning:
- Medications and the medication list
- Glasses, hearing aids, chargers and batteries
- Phone and charger
- Important documents folder
- A change of clothes and pajamas
- Toiletries and any medical supplies
- Bed sheets, a pillow and a light blanket
- Toilet paper, paper towels and hand soap
- A flashlight or night light
- Snacks, water and a few easy meals
- Coffee or tea and a mug
- A few comfort items, like a favorite photo or blanket
Also this week:
- Finish packing, except daily items.
- Defrost the refrigerator a day ahead.
- Check the weather. Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30 (National Weather Service), so keep a backup date in mind.
Moving day
- Keep the first-night box, medications and documents in your car or with you.
- Walk through the old home with the crew lead and point out what goes and what stays.
- Have the floor plan ready at the new home so furniture goes in the right spot the first time.
- Set up the bed first. Make it up with sheets right away.
- Check every closet, drawer and cabinet at the old home before you leave.
- Stay cool and drink water. Florida days are hot, and moving is tiring even if you’re just directing.
First day in the new home: safety walk-through
Before the first night, walk the new home and check:
- Clear paths from the bed to the bathroom and to the door.
- Night lights in the bedroom, hallway and bathroom.
- No loose rugs or cords where people walk. Tape down or remove them.
- Daily items within easy reach, so no one needs a step stool.
- Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms working.
- Locks, thermostat and water heater working, and you know how to use them.
- Emergency numbers written down by the phone.
- Bathroom safety: a non-slip mat, and grab bars if needed. A doctor or occupational therapist can suggest what fits best.
Printable senior moving checklist
Print this page or screenshot the list.
8–7 weeks out
- ☐ Pick a move date
- ☐ Get the floor plan of the new home
- ☐ Collect written estimates
- ☐ Measure favorite furniture and sketch the layout
6–5 weeks out
- ☐ Sort: keep, family, donate or sell, throw away
- ☐ Schedule donation pickups
- ☐ Book movers
- ☐ Ask the community about move rules
4–3 weeks out
- ☐ Medication list and early refills
- ☐ Documents folder
- ☐ Change of address with USPS, Social Security and banks
- ☐ Schedule utility shutoff and start-up
- ☐ Book phone and internet install
2–1 weeks out
- ☐ Pack and label boxes by new room
- ☐ Confirm date and addresses with the mover
- ☐ Pack the first-night box
- ☐ Defrost the refrigerator
Moving day and first night
- ☐ Keep medications and documents with you
- ☐ Set up the bed first
- ☐ Final check of the old home
- ☐ Safety walk-through of the new home
How Legend Movers 4 You can help
Our background-checked crews move homes across Orlando and Central Florida. We’re reachable 24/7. See our senior moving page for how we handle downsizing moves.
Pricing: Local moves are billed by the hour. 2 movers are $165/hr, and larger crews get a custom quote. There’s a 3-hour minimum plus a truck & travel fee of $150 to $240, based on truck size and distance. Our rate is the same every day. You get a written estimate before you book.
Payment: card, cash or Zelle. We don’t take checks.
Florida Mover Reg. IM3232.
Senior moving checklist FAQs
How far ahead should seniors start planning a move?
About eight weeks is a comfortable start. That leaves time to plan the new space, sort belongings in short sessions, book movers and handle address changes without rushing.
How do you decide what to keep when downsizing?
Start with a floor plan of the new home and measure your favorite furniture. Keep what fits and gets used, offer items to family, then donate, sell or recycle the rest. Begin with low-emotion rooms and save keepsakes for last.
What should go in a first-night box?
Medications, glasses and hearing aids, chargers, important documents, a change of clothes, toiletries, bed sheets and a pillow, toilet paper, a night light, and snacks and water. Keep it with you, not on the truck.
What should we ask a senior living community before moving in?
Ask about move days and hours, elevator or loading-area reservations, whether the mover needs a certificate of insurance, truck parking, what furniture is provided, any item rules, and when to pick up keys.
How much does a local move cost with Legend Movers 4 You?
Local moves are billed by the hour: $165/hr for 2 movers, with a custom quote for larger crews. There’s a 3-hour minimum plus a truck & travel fee of $150 to $240, based on truck size and distance. Our rate is the same every day.
Get a written estimate
Have your floor plan and move date? Call 407-440-1423 (24/7) or request a free quote.
