Create your two-month moving plan

Some people are of the opinion that a move can be a simple experience. Hire a mover, pack a few boxes and in no time you'll be set up in your new home. However, anyone who's done it before can tell you the amount of work it takes to pull off a successful move. You have to put a lot of effort into every detail, and that means giving yourself ample time. If you want a move that won't make you pull your hair out, just follow this handy checklist.

Eight weeks to move
It's not always possible to have this much lead time before a move, but if you're lucky enough, be sure to use it. First and foremost, there's research to be done into the moving company, and that means getting estimates and relying on background info from your state's public utilities commission. You'll also want to begin the purging process by donating or selling belongings you don't want or need.

Six weeks to move
At this point, you'll want to wrap up some of that preliminary work and jump into other important details. One area people often overlook is organizing family documents. Be it medical cards or school records, these are important to have around. You'll also want to start gathering moving supplies, including tape, boxes, bubble wrap and more. Lastly, be sure to measure your home and furniture to start developing an idea of how much space you're using up.

Four weeks to move
Here's where things will start to get a bit more intensive. The biggest task is to finally book that mover (if you haven't by now). You'll need to give the service ample time if you don't want your moving date overbooked. You should also make final travel arrangements, like renting a vehicle or booking hotel rooms. And while you don't have to start packing quite yet, it's a good idea to prepare yourself, like labeling boxes and moving certain items around.

Three weeks to move
If you're not packing by now, you're in for quite the rush job down the line. To help, start with non-essential items and things you won't miss, like any wall art, extra clothing, family photos and the like. You can also start making small repairs to the house, like spackling over any cracks in the wall. Be sure to take time to reach out to friends and family with your big moving news, and to change your address through the USPS.

Two weeks to move
By this step of your move, packing should still be your main focus. It's important that you give yourself plenty of time - not only are you more likely to do it if you're not rushed, but you can plan accordingly and maximize the space as need be. This stage of the process is also where you want to start cancelling or transferring utilities like gas, water, electricity and the Internet; otherwise, you'll end up paying extra fees that can prove costly.

One week to move
By now, the bulk of the packing should already be completed; if it's not, then you still have a few days to wrap things up. If you're all set on the packing front, though, you can focus on a few last-minute details, like cleaning up the house, making sure all the documents you need are in order, ensuring you have any medications for your family or pets and confirming your final plans with the moving service

Moving day
Today's the big day! Even if you spent the last two months planning ahead, there will still be some stress. That's why you should be sure to get plenty of rest the night before, and rely on your moving checklist you made at the start. If you've hired a reliable mover, then there's much less to worry about as they handle the bulk of the work. Atlas Van Lines is such a company, and they've spent over 70 years helping families everywhere plan and execute picture-perfect moves.