Moving to a new home involves much more than putting furniture into a truck.
If you're moving within Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Westchester, or New Jersey, planning ahead can make the process considerably easier.
A good moving checklist helps you organize your belongings, prepare your current property, coordinate transportation, and avoid last-minute problems.
Here's a practical step-by-step checklist for planning your move. For a full breakdown of what we offer, visit our services page.
6–8 Weeks Before Moving
Start With a Moving Plan
Determine:
- Where you're moving — check our service areas
- Your preferred moving date
- Approximate number of rooms
- How much furniture you have
- Whether you need packing assistance
- Whether you need storage
- Whether you have unwanted items to remove via junk removal
This is also a good time to begin comparing moving companies.
Declutter Your Home
Moving is an excellent opportunity to decide what you actually want to take with you.
Create four groups:
- Keep — Items going to your new home.
- Donate — Items that are still useful but no longer needed.
- Sell — Furniture and belongings you can sell.
- Remove — Items that cannot be donated or sold.
If you have large unwanted furniture or household items, arrange junk removal before moving day.
4–6 Weeks Before Moving
Start Packing Non-Essential Items
Begin with belongings you don't use every day. Examples include:
- Seasonal clothing
- Decorations
- Books
- Extra kitchen items
- Collectibles
- Storage items
- Extra furniture
Label each box clearly with the room and general contents. Or let our team handle it with our professional packing service.
Measure Large Furniture
Before moving day, measure:
- Sofas
- Beds
- Tables
- Cabinets
- Appliances
- Desks
Also measure doorways, stairways, and other access points where necessary. This can prevent surprises when large furniture arrives at the property — our moving team can help plan around tight access.
2–4 Weeks Before Moving
Confirm Your Moving Service
Confirm:
- Moving date
- Pickup location
- Delivery location
- Approximate inventory
- Number of rooms
- Packing requirements
- Special items
- Storage requirements
If you're moving between New York and New Jersey, make sure both the pickup and delivery locations are clearly communicated. See our Elizabeth, NJ page for cross-state moves.
Arrange Building Access
Apartment and condominium residents should check whether their building requires:
- Elevator reservations
- Move-in/move-out appointments
- Certificates or paperwork
- Specific loading times
- Parking arrangements
- Building staff coordination
Planning these details ahead of time can prevent unnecessary delays.
One Week Before Moving
Finish Most of Your Packing
At this point, most belongings should already be packed.
Keep a separate box or bag with essentials such as:
- Phone chargers
- Important personal items
- Basic toiletries
- Medication
- A change of clothes
- Important documents
- Basic kitchen supplies
Keep these items with you rather than placing them deep inside the moving load.
Moving Day Checklist
Before Movers Arrive
Walk through your home and make sure:
- Boxes are properly closed
- Walkways are clear
- Important personal items are separated
- Furniture is accessible
- Parking/access arrangements are ready
- Valuables are kept with you
If junk removal is also scheduled, clearly separate the items that need to be removed from the belongings being moved.
During Loading
Check that the movers know:
- Which items are fragile
- Which furniture requires special handling
- Which boxes belong in specific rooms
- Which items are not being transported
- Whether anything is going into storage
A clear plan can make loading more organized.
At the New Property
Before everything is unloaded, confirm where large furniture should go. It is generally easier to place heavy furniture correctly during the initial unloading rather than moving it repeatedly afterward.
What If I Need Storage?
Storage can be helpful if:
- Your new home isn't ready
- You're downsizing
- You're renovating
- You're between leases
- You're relocating a business
- You need temporary space for furniture
A&J Last Mile Logistics can provide transportation to and from storage facilities for household and commercial items. Learn more on our warehouse & storage page.
What If I Have Junk?
Don't pay to move belongings you don't want.
Before moving day, separate unwanted:
- Furniture
- Mattresses
- Appliances
- Household items
- Garage items
- Other removable property contents
A&J provides residential and commercial junk removal support.
Moving From NYC to New Jersey
Cross-state moves require additional planning because you're coordinating two different locations.
Your checklist should include:
- Confirm pickup address.
- Confirm delivery address.
- Determine the approximate volume.
- Identify large furniture.
- Check building access.
- Plan parking/loading.
- Complete packing.
- Separate unwanted items.
- Confirm the moving date.
- Keep essential belongings accessible.
The same preparation is useful when moving from New Jersey into Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, or another NYC location. See our Manhattan and Brooklyn pages.
Moving Checklist for Businesses
Businesses should start planning earlier when relocating an office, inventory, or equipment.
Create an inventory of:
- Desks
- Chairs
- Computers
- Equipment
- Shelving
- Files
- Supplies
- Inventory
- Other business property
Label items according to their destination within the new location. For businesses with multiple locations, our route planning and scheduled transportation can also help organize the move. See our commercial transport page for details.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start planning my move?
For a larger household or commercial move, starting several weeks ahead is generally helpful. Smaller moves may require less preparation.
Should I remove junk before moving?
Yes. Removing unwanted furniture and household items before transportation can reduce the amount you need to move. See our junk removal service.
Should I pack everything before movers arrive?
If you're handling your own packing, having most belongings packed before moving day can make loading more efficient. Professional packing can also be arranged when needed.
What should I do with furniture that won't fit in my new home?
You can consider selling, donating, storing, or arranging junk removal depending on the condition and type of furniture.
Can a moving company also transport furniture to storage?
Yes. Moving and storage transportation can be coordinated when items need to be temporarily stored.
Ready for Moving Day?
A little planning can make a major difference.
Whether you're moving an apartment in Queens, relocating a house in Westchester, moving between New York and New Jersey, or relocating a business, A&J Last Mile Logistics can help with the transportation side of your project. Explore our full service lineup or check if we serve your area.
Call or text (917) 502-3292 or request a free quote online for moving, packing, furniture transportation, junk removal, and logistics support.
A&J Last Mile Logistics LLC
17022A 93rd Avenue, Jamaica, NY 11433
