Moving in Los Angeles has more moving parts than almost any other US city — building COI requirements, parking permits, elevator reservations, LADWP transfers, and the constant competition for good movers. This checklist breaks it into manageable weekly tasks so nothing falls through the cracks.
Decide your move date. Month-end dates and weekends fill fastest — if your lease end is flexible by even 1–2 days, a mid-week or mid-month date can save money and get you a better crew slot.
Get 3 written quotes. Contact at least 3 companies and ask for emailed flat-rate quotes. Verify each company's CAL-T number at cpuc.ca.gov before taking a quote seriously.
Research your new building. Call the management office and ask: Do you require a COI from the moving company? Is there a reserved moving time or freight elevator booking? Are there move-in fees or deposits?
Start decluttering. Sell, donate, or discard anything you haven't used in a year. Every item you don't move saves money on the move and clutter at the new place.
Book your movers. Confirm the date, time, crew size, and get the written confirmation emailed. For summer or month-end moves, 6 weeks is the minimum — top companies fill fast.
Order packing supplies. Estimate boxes: roughly 1 medium box per 10 square feet of living space as a starting point. Add dish packs for the kitchen.
Notify your current building. Give written notice of your move-out date if required by your lease. Most LA leases require 30–60 days written notice.
Start the address change process. USPS forward takes 1–2 weeks to activate — start it now.
Request the COI from your movers. If your new building requires a certificate of insurance, request it now with the building's specific requirements (their name, address, and any specific coverage language). Best Movers LA issues COIs within 24 hours at no charge.
Schedule utility transfers. LADWP (or Glendale Water and Power, Burbank Public Service, etc.) — start the transfer process 2–3 weeks out. Internet and TV providers need 1–2 weeks lead time.
Begin packing non-essentials. Books, seasonal clothes, decorative items, guest room contents — start boxing what you won't need for a month.
Arrange parking for moving day. If your current building is in a congested area, you may need to post "No Parking" signs in front of your building the day before. Best Movers LA coordinates this, but confirm who's responsible.
Pack the majority of your home. Leave out only what you need for the next 2 weeks. Label every box with its destination room — this makes unloading dramatically faster.
Confirm with your movers. Re-confirm date, time, crew size, and access details (gate codes, elevator, parking).
Transfer prescriptions. Move prescription records to a pharmacy near your new address if needed. Plan a 1–2 week supply buffer.
Notify key contacts. Banks, insurance, employer HR, DMV (California requires address update within 10 days of moving), voter registration, doctor and dentist offices.
Defrost the refrigerator 48 hours before moving day — most movers won't take a fridge that hasn't been defrosted.
Disassemble large furniture you know will need it (bed frames, large shelving units, dining tables). Box all hardware in labeled bags taped to the furniture piece.
Confirm elevator reservation at the new building if applicable.
Prepare the "don't pack" pile. Set aside items to transport personally: valuables, medications, important documents, laptop, phone chargers, items for the first night in the new place.
Have a walkthrough checklist ready — top of every closet, inside every cabinet, inside the oven, behind doors. Do this before the truck leaves. Photograph every room after it's emptied. Return all keys, fobs, and parking passes to the building manager or leave as instructed. Do a final walkthrough with the crew chief before the truck departs. Pay after the move is complete — not before.
Update your California driver's license address (required within 10 days). Register your car at the new address if in a different city. Set up autopay on new utility accounts. Walk the neighborhood to find grocery stores, urgent care, transit stops, and dog parks. Meet your neighbors — it makes the next emergency easier.
Ready to book? Get a free written quote from Best Movers LA — we cover all of Los Angeles County, 7 days a week, 7 AM to 8 PM.
Flat rate · No hidden fees · Reply in minutes.
Call now for a guaranteed flat hourly rate — or get a quote online in 60 seconds.
Call (213) 676-9460 Get a Quote