Week-by-Week · Richmond, VA

The Richmond Moving Checklist

From 8 weeks out to move-in day - check off every task so nothing slips through the cracks.

The Richmond Moving Checklist

RVA Movers · rvamovers.com · (804) 801-8079

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📍 Richmond-specific heads up:

End-of-month dates and summer weekends fill up fast in Richmond. Book your mover as early as possible - ideally 3–4 weeks out, or sooner for June–August moves.

8 Weeks Before

Start Planning

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Confirm your move-out and move-in dates

Lease end date, closing date, or occupancy start date

Start decluttering - room by room

Donate, sell, or trash before you pack

Research moving companies and request quotes

Request a free quote from RVA Movers →

Decide: full-service move or labor-only (you supply the truck)?

See our labor-only guide →

Start saving boxes - liquor stores, grocery stores, Facebook Marketplace

Notify your landlord of move-out date in writing (if renting)

Create a moving folder

One place for quotes, receipts, building rules, utility confirmations, and this checklist - paper folder or a folder on your phone, either works

6 Weeks Before

Book & Notify

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Book your moving company

Confirm date, crew size, and services in writing

Schedule USPS mail forwarding at usps.com

Takes a few days to process - don't leave this late

Notify your employer of new address for payroll / W-2

Begin transferring utilities (electric, gas, water, internet) for new address

Dominion Energy, Richmond Gas, Richmond Water, Cox or Xfinity for internet

Schedule utility cancellations / transfers at old address

If moving to an apartment: contact building management to reserve elevator and moving time slot

If needed: request COI from your moving company for building management

RVA Movers provides this - just ask when booking

4 Weeks Before

Pack & Update

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Start packing non-essential rooms first (guest rooms, storage, seasonal items)

Label every box: contents + destination room

Update address with bank, credit cards, and financial accounts

Update address with insurance providers (home, auto, health)

Update Virginia DMV address (can do online at dmv.virginia.gov)

Update address with subscriptions (Amazon, magazines, meal kits, etc.)

Transfer or request medical, dental, and prescription records if changing providers

Arrange care for children or pets on move day

Measure large furniture and key spaces

Confirm beds, sofas, dressers, and big tables will fit through doorways, hallways, elevators, and into the rooms they're going

2 Weeks Before

Getting Close

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Confirm your move date and arrival window with your moving company

Pack most rooms - leave out only daily essentials

Disassemble furniture you'll need help moving (bed frames, large shelving)

Defrost freezer if moving refrigerator

Reserve parking near your origin and destination for the moving truck

For Fan, Carytown, Church Hill - this needs advance planning

Return library books, borrowed items, rented equipment

Confirm new home/apartment is available for access on move day

Bag and label hardware as you disassemble

Put screws, bolts, and small parts in a labeled zip-top bag, then tape the bag to the underside of the piece - saves an hour of hunting on the other end

1 Week Before

Final Prep

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Pack a "First Night" bag: medications, phone charger, toothbrush, change of clothes, important documents

Keep this with you - NOT on the truck

Pack an essentials box for the new home: toilet paper, paper towels, basic kitchen items, coffee

Finish packing everything except day-of essentials

Take photos of all rooms at old home for reference and deposit documentation

Confirm elevator reservation at apartment building

Charge your phone the night before

Have cash on hand for tips

$20–$40 per mover is a common guideline for a standard move

Think about loading order

Items you'll need first at the new place - bedding, basic kitchen, toiletries - should be loaded last so they come off the truck first

Move Day

The Big Day

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Be present when movers arrive - do a walkthrough together

Point out fragile or high-value items before loading begins

Keep children and pets out of the way during loading

Do a final sweep of every room, closet, cabinet, and outdoor area

Check attic, basement, garage, and storage areas

Lock all windows and doors at old home

Return keys to landlord or leave as instructed

At new home: do a walkthrough BEFORE unloading to document any pre-existing damage

Direct movers on where each item goes - saves rearranging later

Do a final walkthrough after unloading to confirm everything is accounted for

Tip your crew if they did a great job 🙌

After the Move

Settle In

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Set up beds first - you'll want them ready at the end of an exhausting day

Confirm all utilities are active at the new home

Locate circuit breaker, water shut-off, and HVAC controls

Change locks if moving into a resale home

Update voter registration (vote.virginia.gov)

Introduce yourself to neighbors (especially in Richmond neighborhoods with active community associations)

Leave a review for your movers if they did a good job - it helps small businesses like ours enormously

Move Day Timeline

A simple flow that keeps the day from getting away from you.

Early morning

Final walk-through, breakfast, essentials bag set aside, phone charging.

Before the crew arrives

Walkways clear, keys ready, pets secured, parking spot available for the truck.

During loading

Point out fragile items, confirm what stays and what goes, stay reachable for questions.

At the new home

Walkthrough before unloading, confirm utilities are on, direct each item to its room.

Before the crew leaves

Final placement check, sign paperwork, settle payment and tips.

Common Local Moving Mistakes to Avoid

Even short moves across Richmond go sideways for the same handful of reasons. Sidestep these and you're ahead of most movers.

✕Underestimating how long a local move actually takes
✕Forgetting about parking - especially in The Fan, Carytown, and Church Hill
✕Not reserving the elevator at apartment buildings
✕Leaving too much unpacked until the last 24 hours
✕Assuming a small move is automatically easy
✕Not keeping a separate essentials bag for day one
✕Skipping the access check at one of the two locations
✕Saying "I'll come back for that later" - you usually don't

Need a Mover to Check Off the List?

Get a free quote from Richmond's trusted moving crew - available 7 days a week.

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Or call: (804) 801-8079