Moving day comes with equal parts excitement and anxiety, but poor planning can leave you scrambling at the last minute. One way to make it easier is creating a checklist to ensure proper time management. Here are some essential tasks that you might be leaving off your to-do list, according to industry experts.

1. Packing an Essentials Box

Ben Johnson, senior director of operations at Atlas Van Lines, says people often forget to pack an “essentials box” full of everything they might need for a few nights outside of their homes. He advises packing medication, extra toiletries, and towels. “Additionally, this lifeline should be the first off the moving truck or transported in their car for easy access,” says Johnson.

When you arrive at your new home, you’ll likely be too tired to unpack. Bedding and toiletries should go into the box so they’re easy to retrieve on the first night. Include basic cookware like a pot and pan, basic dishes, and silverware. If you have young children, put snacks, toys, and bedtime stories in the box for good measure.

2. Emptying Drawers and Compartments

Johnson says it’s best to empty drawers and other compartments before moving hutches, sideboards, or cabinets. Items will shift during transport, making it risky to pack large furniture pieces with smaller items still inside. Fragile glass and ceramics need to be packed separately.

3. Confirming Logistics with Moving Service

Katie Weissert, sales director at Reindeer Logistics, says many people forget to confirm moving day logistics with their relocation service. “Just because you gave the information a month earlier doesn’t mean you just sit and wait. A few days before the day, confirm that the moving company has the correct date, address, time, and special requirements, such as elevator access,” she advises.

Work with your municipality, building, or neighborhood community to make sure you know where the moving truck will park during loading and unloading.

4. Labeling Boxes

“Another overlooked task is box labeling. It may be faster and easier to just stash things into boxes, but it often creates disorder,” says Weissert. “Labeling helps movers plan where each item will be placed and what’s fragile for extra care.” Make sure to have additional label supplies—stickers or tags, markers, packing tape—on hand for last-minute additions.

“Staying organized for a house relocation comes down to planning ahead. I recommend creating a detailed moving checklist and packing items systematically, room by room,” says Rimeris. “Labeling boxes by room and priority and packing an essentials kit for the first night in your new space can make all the difference. It’s all about reducing stress and staying in control of the process.”

5. Cancelling and Setting Up Utilities

You might only think of your home’s utilities when they’re not working, so it’s no surprise that many people forget to contact utility companies to shut off the old house’s electricity, gas, internet, security services, and cable, or at least to take their names off the bill after moving out.

Rob Rimeris, founder of EverSafe Moving Co., adds that people often forget to confirm that “all utilities and services at their new home are set up—there’s nothing worse than arriving and realizing the electricity or internet isn’t ready.”

Many cities let you schedule service start and end dates online up to a week in advance.

6. Measuring Furniture and Doorways

Another pre-move task that people often forget is measuring furniture and doorways. “It’s a simple step that can prevent a lot of frustration when trying to move large pieces of furniture,” says Rimeris. Not only does a room have to be big enough to fit furniture, but you also need to ensure sufficient space through any passageways, including doors, hallways, and stairwells. If an item won’t fit, consider selling, gifting, or storing it.

7. Updating Your Mailing Address

It’s easy to forget to forward mail to your new address, but failing to do so can cause major issues down the line. Whether it’s the utility company, banks, car dealership, or your Aunt Tallulah in Tuscany, ensure everyone who sends you stuff has the new address. Particularly prioritize pay, insurance, and tax information. If you’re not sure of the exact mailbox number, remember the post office should be able to hold your mail at the nearest station for pickup.

8. Gratuities for Movers

Many people completely forget about preparing snacks, juice, and cold water for the movers, but they could be at your home for hours or even days on end, so it is best to plan ahead for basic niceties. Some of the most efficient teams will finish up earlier than scheduled, so keep cash ready in case you’d like to tip.

Items Frequently Left Behind in a Big Move

Everyday items often left behind include keepsakes hidden in hard-to-reach places such as the attic, crawl space, or basement. Things like seasonal decorations, toolboxes, and heirlooms are out of sight and out of mind—until it’s too late. To avoid the worst, always do a thorough walk-through of every room, including storage areas, before locking up for the last time.

“To ensure all items are accounted for, rely on professional movers who are equipped to pack items in every room of the house with care. When working with professional movers, you have the option to protect your items through valuation, meaning if items are lost or damaged in a move, you may be eligible for compensation,” says Johnson. Professional movers are bonded and insured, but you might have additional homeowner or rental insurance benefits for items lost or damaged in transit. Be sure to look into the fine print well before the move.

Additionally, borrowed items that you intended to return but never did can get left behind in the old house or unwittingly taken to the new home. Similarly, that baking pan you lent your neighbor may still be at his house, or the book your coworker borrowed can completely slip your mind. If you’re making a permanent move far away, you’ll want to start early to make sure you don’t leave anything behind or take anything that’s not yours to keep.

8 Moving Day Tasks You’re Probably Forgetting To Do by Nafeesah Allen | Better Homes & Gardens