| name | moving-checklist |
| description | Produces a comprehensive 8-week moving timeline and checklist covering
decluttering, hiring movers, utilities transfer, address changes, packing
strategy, moving day protocol, and first week tasks in the new home.
Generates phase-based task lists with specific deadlines and responsible
party assignments for household relocations.
Use when the user asks about planning a move, creating a moving checklist,
or organizing a household relocation.
Do NOT use for moving with children specifically (use moving-with-children),
international relocation (visa and customs requirements are outside scope),
or commercial office moves.
|
| license | Apache-2.0 |
| metadata | {"author":"foundry-skills","version":"1.0.0","tags":"checklist planning strategy","category":"family-relationships","subcategory":"caregiving","depends":"","disclaimer":"none","difficulty":"beginner"} |
Moving Checklist and Timeline
When to Use
Use this skill when:
- User asks about planning a move or creating a moving checklist
- User wants a timeline for relocating to a new home
- User needs help organizing the logistics of a household move
- User asks about what needs to happen before, during, or after moving day
- User wants a packing strategy or moving day plan
Do NOT use this skill when:
- User is moving with children and needs child-specific guidance (use
moving-with-children)
- User is planning an international move with visa and customs needs (outside scope)
- User asks about a commercial office relocation (different logistics)
- User needs help deciding whether to move (decision analysis, not logistics)
- User asks about buying or selling a home (use personal-finance skills)
Process
-
Assess the move scope. Gather baseline information to customize the timeline:
- Move type: local (same metro area) or long-distance (different city or state)
- Home size: studio/1BR, 2-3BR, 4BR+
- Moving method: professional movers, DIY truck rental, hybrid (movers for heavy items, self-pack)
- Special items: piano, pool table, fragile art, large appliances, vehicles
- Timeline constraints: lease end date, closing date, work start date
- Budget range: full-service professional, partial service, DIY
-
Execute the 8-week timeline:
Week 8 (8 Weeks Before Move)
Declutter and Downsize:
Begin Research:
Week 7 (7 Weeks Before Move)
Book Services:
Output Format
## Moving Plan: [Current Address] to [New Address]
### Move Profile
- **Move type:** [Local / Long-distance]
- **Home size:** [Size]
- **Method:** [Professional / DIY / Hybrid]
- **Move date:** [Date]
- **Budget:** [Amount]
### 8-Week Timeline
#### Week 8: [Date Range]
- [ ] [Task with responsible person]
#### Week 7: [Date Range]
- [ ] [Task with responsible person]
[Continue for all 8 weeks]
#### Moving Day: [Date]
- [ ] [Morning tasks]
- [ ] [During move tasks]
- [ ] [Arrival tasks]
#### First Week: [Date Range]
- [ ] [Priority setup tasks]
### Budget Summary
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|------|---------------|
| Moving company / Truck rental | $X,XXX |
| Packing supplies | $XXX |
| Utility deposits | $XXX |
| Tips | $XXX |
| Cleaning (old home) | $XXX |
| **Total** | $X,XXX |
### Address Change Checklist
- [ ] Postal service forwarding
- [ ] Bank and financial
- [ ] Insurance
- [ ] Employer
- [ ] Subscriptions
- [ ] Medical providers
- [ ] Government (DMV, voter registration)
### Box Inventory
| Box # | Contents | Room | Fragile |
|-------|----------|------|---------|
| 1 | [Contents] | [Room] | [Y/N] |
Rules
- ALWAYS use the 8-week timeline structure -- shorter timelines compress tasks but keep the same phases
- ALWAYS include the moving day essentials box checklist -- this is the single most impactful preparation for moving day comfort
- Include a budget summary with at least 5 line items in every moving plan
- ALWAYS include the address change checklist -- missed address changes cause problems for months after a move
- Label boxes on top AND at least one side -- stacked boxes hide top labels
- Include the box inventory system (numbered boxes with contents) for moves with 20+ boxes
- NEVER include specific moving company names or service provider recommendations
- Include utility transfer timing: disconnect day after move-out, connect day before move-in
- ALWAYS photograph the condition of the current home before leaving for security deposit documentation
- Include the first-week task list in every plan -- the move is not complete until the new home is functional
Edge Cases
-
Short notice move (less than 4 weeks): Compress the 8-week timeline into the available time. Prioritize in this order: book movers or truck immediately (availability drops sharply on short notice), handle utilities and address changes, then pack. Accept that a short-notice move will be less organized -- focus on getting everything moved safely rather than optimally. Skip the sell/donate phase and pack everything; sort after arrival.
-
Long-distance move (different state): Add state-specific tasks: research new state's vehicle registration deadline (typically 30-60 days), driver's license transfer, voter registration, income tax implications of the move (may need to file in two states), and professional license transfers if applicable. Plan for 2-3 day transit time where your belongings are on the road and you need the essentials box. Consider shipping vehicles vs. driving.
-
Apartment to apartment move: Add apartment-specific tasks: reserve service elevator on both ends, check for move-in/move-out windows (many buildings restrict to business hours), confirm parking for moving truck (may need permit), check hallway and doorway dimensions, and verify lease requirements for condition at move-out (cleaning, painting, carpet shampooing).
-
Move with pets: Add pet-specific tasks: update microchip information with new address, transfer veterinary records, research local vets and emergency animal hospitals near new address, plan for pet containment on moving day (a room, a crate, or a friend's house), and carry vaccination records in the essentials box for boarding or emergency care.
-
Downsizing move (larger home to smaller): The declutter phase becomes the primary task. Add furniture measurement planning: measure all furniture, measure all rooms and doorways in the new home, and identify what fits before packing. Sell or donate items that will not fit. Consider temporary storage for items you are unsure about (storage unit for 3 months allows you to live in the space and decide what you actually need).
Example
Input: "I'm moving from a 3-bedroom apartment to a house across town in 6 weeks. My partner and I both work full-time. What should we do?"
Output:
Moving Plan: 3BR Apartment to House (Local)
Move Profile
- Move type: Local (same metro area)
- Home size: 3-bedroom apartment to house
- Method: To determine (professional recommended for 3BR with two working adults)
- Move date: 6 weeks from today -- [specific date]
- Constraints: Both adults work full-time; most tasks must happen evenings and weekends
Compressed 6-Week Timeline
Week 6 (This Week): Research and Declutter
Weekday evenings (30 min/night):
Weekend:
Week 5: Start Packing Non-Essentials
Weekday evenings:
Weekend:
Week 4: Utilities and Administrative
Weekday evenings:
Weekend:
Week 3: Address Changes
Weekday evenings:
Weekend:
Week 2: Final Preparations
Weekday evenings:
Weekend:
Week 1: Final Week
Weekday evenings:
Night before move:
Moving Day: [Date]
Budget Estimate
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|
| Professional movers (3BR local, 2 crew, ~5 hours) | $800-1,500 |
| Packing supplies (boxes, tape, wrap) | $75-150 |
| Mover tips (2 crew x $30 each) | $60 |
| Cleaning supplies (both locations) | $30-50 |
| New locks/re-key at house | $100-250 |
| Total estimate | $1,065-2,010 |
Moving Day Essentials Box (Goes in Your Car)
