Move Day Checklist – Nomad Move

Order Packing Supplies

Get boxes, packing paper, bubble wrap, tape, and labels. Nomad Move can provide all materials if you prefer.

Begin Room-By-Room Packing

Start with guest rooms, storage areas, and items you don’t need daily. Keep each room’s contents together when possible.

Measure Furniture & Doorways

Make sure large furniture fits through doors, elevators, and stairwells in your new home.

Plan Your New Home Layout

Decide where major furniture pieces will go — this saves time and questions on moving day.

Request Elevator Reservations (If You Live in a Building)

Many Bay Area apartments and condos require elevator reservations or move-in approvals. Coordinate this with your building management.

Update Your Address

Notify important services and accounts, including:

• USPS
• Banks and credit cards
• Insurance providers
• Subscriptions and deliveries
• Online accounts and billing profiles

Pack Most of Your Home

By this point, the majority of your home should be in boxes. Leave only the items you use every day.

Prepare an Essentials Box

Pack one clearly labeled box with move-in essentials, such as:

• Toiletries
• Phone and laptop chargers
• Important papers and documents
• A few outfits for each person
• Medications
• Basic tools (screwdriver, box cutter, tape)

Keep this box with you — not in the moving truck.

Defrost Refrigerator (If Moving It)

Defrost the fridge and freezer 24–48 hours before moving day to prevent leaks and odors.

Confirm Details with Nomad Move

Double-check all key details:

• Start time and date
• Parking arrangements and loading zones
• Access codes and gate entry
• Elevator reservations and time windows

Pack Everything Except Essentials

All loose items should be boxed and sealed before the crew arrives so movers can work efficiently.

Disconnect Electronics

Unplug TVs, computers, gaming consoles, routers, and appliances. Bundle and label cables to make reconnecting easier.

Prepare Pets & Kids

Arrange a safe and quiet place for pets and children on moving day — a friend’s home, daycare, or a separate room.

Clear Hallways & Entrances

Make sure all pathways, staircases, and entry points are free of clutter for safe and easy access.

Wake Up Early & Be Ready

Be dressed, packed, and ready before your arrival window. Movers will arrive within your scheduled time frame.

Protect Important Items

Keep jewelry, cash, passports, keys, and sensitive documents with you at all times — not in the truck.

Walk Movers Through Your Home

Show the crew:

• What goes and what stays
• Fragile or high-value items
• Special handling pieces
• Rooms that need extra attention

Stay Available for Questions

Stay on-site and reachable — the crew may need guidance on furniture placement, disassembly, or specific instructions.

Final Walkthrough

Before leaving the old place, check:

• Closets and cabinets
• Drawers and shelves
• Balcony or patio
• Garage or storage areas
• Behind doors and in corners

Make sure nothing is left behind — this moving checklist step is easy to skip when you’re in a rush.

Unpack Essentials First

Start with the essentials box, bathroom setup, beds, and basic kitchen items so the home is functional quickly.

Set Up Your Furniture

Nomad Move will reassemble furniture — just tell the crew where you want each piece placed in your new home.

Update Utilities

Confirm that electricity, gas, water, and internet are active and working properly.

Unpack Gradually

Work through your home in a logical order, such as:

1. Kitchen
2. Bedrooms
3. Living room
4. Storage areas

Recycle or Donate Empty Boxes

Break down boxes as you go. Nomad Move can help arrange a box pickup if needed.

Pack Heavy Items in Small Boxes

Books, tools, and weights should always go in small boxes so they’re safe and manageable to lift.

Label Everything Clearly

Use room names plus a short description, for example: “Kitchen – plates & bowls – FRAGILE”.

Use Suitcases for Heavy Clothes

Pack jeans, sweaters, and shoes in rolling suitcases to save your back and reduce box weight.

Don’t Mix Fragile & Heavy Items

Avoid putting glassware in the same box as heavy cookware — that’s a common cause of breakage.

Keep Cleaning Supplies Handy

You’ll likely need cleaning supplies both before you leave the old home and when you arrive at the new one.