Seattle Moving Checklist
Everything you need to do before, during, and after your Seattle move — organized week by week with insider tips from local moving professionals.
Moving in Seattle has its own set of challenges: steep hills, narrow streets, buildings with no freight elevator, parking nightmares in Capitol Hill, and rain that can turn moving day into a logistics headache. This checklist covers the standard moving tasks plus the Seattle-specific stuff most people forget until it's too late.
Print this out, bookmark it, or screenshot it. Follow it week by week and your move will go smoother than 90% of the moves we see in the industry.
📅 8 Weeks Before Your Move
The planning phase — get organized early and you'll thank yourself later.
Set your moving budget
A local 2-bedroom move in Seattle runs $900–$1,400 for full-service. Budget for movers, packing supplies, deposits, and utility setup fees.
🔧 Insider tip: Don't forget to budget for Seattle's first/last/deposit rental structure. That alone can be $4,000–$6,000 depending on the neighborhood.
Start researching movers
Get at least 3 quotes from licensed, insured companies. Verify their WUTC license on the Washington Utilities & Transportation Commission website.
Declutter and purge
Go room by room. Sell on Facebook Marketplace, donate to Goodwill or Northwest Center, or schedule a junk pickup. Less stuff = lower moving costs.
🔧 Insider tip: Every box you eliminate saves 3–5 minutes of mover time. At $100+/hr, a serious declutter can save you $200–$400.
Give notice to your landlord
Most Seattle leases require 20–30 days written notice. Check your lease — some require 60 days. Send notice via email AND certified mail to protect yourself.
Start collecting packing supplies
Check Seattle Buy Nothing groups on Facebook, U-Haul Box Exchange, and Nextdoor for free boxes. Liquor stores and Costco are also great sources.
📅 4 Weeks Before
Lock in the logistics. This is when the real preparation starts.
Book your movers
Lock in your date. During peak season (May–September), good crews book up 4–6 weeks out. Get a written estimate with all costs itemized.
Start packing non-essentials
Begin with storage rooms, closets, books, decor, and seasonal items — things you won't need in the next month. Label every box with room AND contents.
🔧 Insider tip: Pro tip: number your boxes and keep a simple list on your phone. If a box goes missing, you'll know exactly what was in it.
Forward your mail
Set up USPS mail forwarding at usps.com ($1.10 online). It takes 7–10 business days to kick in, so don't wait until the last minute.
Notify important accounts
Update your address with: bank, credit cards, insurance, employer, DMV, voter registration, subscriptions, Amazon, and any deliveries.
Schedule utility transfers
Call Seattle City Light (electric), Seattle Public Utilities (water/sewer/garbage), and your internet provider to schedule disconnect/connect dates. Overlap by one day to avoid gaps.
Need Movers for Your Seattle Move?
Get 3 free quotes from vetted, reliable Seattle movers. We handle the research so you can focus on packing.
📅 2 Weeks Before
Final logistics — parking, elevators, and the home stretch.
Confirm your movers
Call to reconfirm date, arrival window, crew size, and total cost. Get the lead mover's phone number for moving day communication.
Pack most of the house
Leave out only essentials: 1 week of clothes, basic kitchen items, toiletries, phone chargers, important documents. Everything else should be boxed.
Handle parking logistics
If you're in a dense Seattle neighborhood, you may need to reserve street parking for the moving truck. Check with SDOT for temporary No Parking signs ($37 per sign, apply 72 hours ahead).
🔧 Insider tip: Capitol Hill, Belltown, and Fremont are notorious for parking issues on moving day. A reserved spot in front of your building saves the crew from carrying everything an extra block — and saves you money on hourly charges.
Arrange elevator/loading dock access
If you're in a high-rise or apartment building, reserve the freight elevator and loading dock. Most buildings require 48–72 hour advance notice. Some charge a refundable deposit.
Plan for kids and pets
Moving day is chaotic. Arrange for kids and pets to stay with a friend, family member, or daycare. It's safer and lets the crew work faster.
📅 1 Week Before
Almost there. This week is about finishing packing and getting ready for game day.
Pack your essentials box
One box (or suitcase) with everything you need for the first night: sheets, towels, toiletries, phone charger, medications, change of clothes, snacks, basic tools (screwdriver, tape).
🔧 Insider tip: This is the most important box you'll pack. Label it clearly and keep it with you — don't let it go on the truck. You'll be exhausted after the move and won't want to dig through 40 boxes for your toothbrush.
Disassemble large furniture
Take apart bed frames, dining tables, and shelving units. Bag all hardware (screws, bolts) in labeled ziplock bags and tape them to the furniture piece. This saves the crew time and you money.
Clean out the fridge
Use up perishables, defrost the freezer, and clean it out. Movers won't transport open food. Donate non-perishables to a local food bank.
Take photos of electronics setup
Before unplugging your TV, router, gaming systems, etc. — photograph the cable connections from behind. You'll thank yourself when setting up at the new place.
Do a final walkthrough of the new place
Check that everything is ready: utilities on, keys in hand, any agreed-upon repairs completed. Note any pre-existing damage in writing (with photos) before moving in.
🚚 Moving Day
The big day. Here's how to make it go as smoothly as possible.
Be ready before the crew arrives
Everything should be packed and ready to go. Clear a path from each room to the front door. The clock starts when the crew arrives — don't waste their time (and your money) finishing last-minute packing.
Do a walkthrough with the lead mover
Walk through the house together. Point out fragile items, heavy pieces, anything that needs special handling, and the order of priority. Show them any tight corners or tricky spots.
Protect floors and walls
Good movers bring their own floor runners and door protectors. If they don't — that's a red flag. Make sure protection is laid down before anything moves.
Stay available but out of the way
Be reachable for questions but don't hover. The crew works faster when they have space. Check in periodically to make sure things are going smoothly.
Final sweep of the old place
After everything is loaded, check every room, closet, cabinet, garage, and storage unit. Check the medicine cabinet, behind doors, and on top shelves. People leave stuff behind constantly.
🔧 Insider tip: I've seen people leave passports in junk drawers, cash taped behind shelves, and irreplaceable photos in closets. Do the sweep. Every. Single. Room.
Document the condition
Take photos/video of the empty old place before handing over keys. This protects your security deposit.
🏠 First Week in Your New Place
You're in. Here's what to handle before you settle in.
Check for damage immediately
Inspect your furniture and belongings as boxes come off the truck — not three days later. Note any damage immediately and tell the lead mover before they leave. Take photos.
Unpack essentials first
Kitchen, bathroom, bedroom — in that order. Get functional before you get organized. You can live out of boxes for a few days, but you need to eat, shower, and sleep on day one.
Update your driver's license
Washington requires you to update your address within 10 days of moving. You can do it online at dol.wa.gov ($11 fee) — no need to visit a licensing office.
Update your voter registration
Update at votewa.gov. Washington is a vote-by-mail state, so your ballot goes to your registered address.
Meet your building manager / neighbors
Introduce yourself. Ask about trash/recycling schedules, mail delivery, package handling, and any building rules you should know about.
Set up your parking (if needed)
Many Seattle neighborhoods require Restricted Parking Zone (RPZ) permits. Apply through SDOT — you'll need proof of address and vehicle registration. Costs $65/year.
🌲 Seattle-Specific Tasks Most People Miss
The stuff that's unique to living in Seattle — don't skip these.
RPZ Parking Permit
Neighborhoods like Capitol Hill, Fremont, Ballard, and the U-District have restricted parking zones. Without a permit, you'll get ticketed. Apply at seattle.gov/transportation within your first week.
Seattle City Light account
Set up your electric account at seattle.gov/city-light. Seattle uses public power — no choosing a provider. Budget $60–$150/month depending on unit size and heating type.
Internet service
Your main options are Comcast/Xfinity or CenturyLink (now Lumen) in most neighborhoods. Some buildings have Ziply Fiber or Wave. Check availability at your new address before committing.
Garbage and recycling schedule
Seattle takes recycling and composting seriously. Seattle Public Utilities handles collection — look up your pickup day at seattle.gov/utilities. Contaminated recycling bins get rejected.
ORCA card for transit
If you'll use buses, Link Light Rail, or the ferry, get an ORCA card. Load it up at any Link station, online at myorca.com, or at many retail locations.
Earthquake preparedness kit
Welcome to the Pacific Northwest. Put together a basic emergency kit: water (1 gallon per person per day for 3 days), flashlight, batteries, first aid, non-perishable food, and a battery-powered radio.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I start planning my Seattle move?▼
Ideally 8 weeks. If you're moving during peak season (May–September), start even earlier — good movers book up fast. At minimum, give yourself 3-4 weeks for a stress-free move.
Do I need a parking permit for the moving truck?▼
In dense neighborhoods (Capitol Hill, Belltown, Fremont, Ballard, U-District), yes — you'll likely need temporary No Parking signs from SDOT. They cost $37 each and require 72 hours advance notice. Apply at seattle.gov/transportation.
What utilities do I need to set up in Seattle?▼
Seattle City Light (electric), Seattle Public Utilities (water/sewer/garbage), internet (Xfinity, CenturyLink, or Ziply Fiber depending on area), and renter's insurance. Gas is through Puget Sound Energy if your unit has gas appliances.
How do I change my address in Washington state?▼
USPS mail forwarding at usps.com ($1.10), driver's license update at dol.wa.gov ($11, within 10 days), voter registration at votewa.gov. Then update bank, insurance, employer, and subscriptions manually.
What should I do if it rains on moving day?▼
It's Seattle — plan for it. Professional movers work in rain all the time. The key: make sure furniture is wrapped in blankets AND plastic/shrink wrap before going outside. Have towels ready at the new place. Lay down extra floor protection inside to prevent tracking.
Get Matched with Vetted Seattle Movers
Free quotes from licensed, insured movers who know Seattle. No spam, no obligation.
Written by the SeattleMoversGuide team
Local moving industry professionals with hands-on experience in the Seattle market. This checklist is built from real moves, real problems, and real solutions — not generic advice.