Introduction
Moving in Chicago comes with challenges you will not find anywhere else. Between reserving freight elevators, applying for street parking permits through the city, and dealing with unpredictable weather, a generic moving checklist just will not cut it. You need a plan built for the realities of moving in the Windy City.
That is exactly what this moving checklist for Chicago delivers. We have taken our 20-plus years of experience as a family-owned Chicago moving company and turned it into a week-by-week timeline that covers every detail, from your first planning steps eight weeks out to your final tasks after you are settled in your new home.
Whether you are moving from a Lincoln Park walk-up to a South Loop high-rise, relocating from Lakeview to the suburbs, or settling into your first Chicago apartment, this checklist keeps you organized and on track. Print it out, bookmark it, and check items off as you go. By moving day, you will feel prepared instead of panicked.
8 Weeks Before Your Move: Research and Big Decisions
The eight-week mark is when your move shifts from “someday” to “it is happening.” This is when you lock in the decisions that affect everything else on your timeline.
Hire Your Moving Company
Start getting quotes early. Chicago’s moving season runs hot from May through September, and the best crews book up fast. Look for a company that is fully licensed and insured with the Illinois Commerce Commission and has a strong track record of verified reviews.
Get at least three written estimates from licensed movers
Ask about hourly rates, stair fees, long carry charges, and any potential extra costs
Verify licensing with the ILCC and check for complaints
Confirm insurance coverage and what it includes
Book your moving date as soon as you find the right fit
If you want a stress-free experience, consider booking professional packing services at the same time. Bundling your move and packing saves time and ensures your belongings are protected by trained hands.
Start Decluttering Room by Room
Eight weeks gives you plenty of time to sort through every room without feeling rushed. The less you move, the less your move costs and the faster it goes.
Go room by room and sort items into keep, donate, sell, and toss piles
Schedule a junk removal service for large items like old furniture, broken appliances, or mattresses
List sellable items on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist Chicago
Donate usable items to local organizations like Brown Elephant or The Salvation Army
Evaluate Your Storage Needs
If there is a gap between your move-out and move-in dates, or if you are downsizing and need time to figure out what fits, now is the time to arrange storage. Chicago’s extreme temperature swings make climate-controlled storage especially important for protecting furniture, electronics, and anything sensitive to heat or cold.
6 Weeks Before Your Move: Paperwork and Logistics
With your movers booked and decluttering underway, the six-week mark is about handling the administrative side of your move. This is where Chicago-specific logistics start to matter.
Apply for a Chicago Street Parking Permit
If your moving truck needs to park on a public street at either your current or new address, you will likely need a temporary parking permit from the City of Chicago. This is not optional. Without a permit, your movers may have to double-park or circle the block, which wastes time and adds to your cost.
Apply through the City of Chicago’s 311 service portal or call 311 directly
Submit your application at least two weeks before your move, though earlier is better
The permit reserves a specific section of street in front of your building
You will receive “No Parking” signs to post 24 to 48 hours before your move
Cost varies but typically runs around 50 to 75 dollars depending on duration and location
If you are moving into or out of a high-rise, contact your building management now to ask about loading dock schedules and freight elevator reservations. Many downtown and lakefront buildings only allow moves on specific days or during certain hours.
Notify Your Landlord and Review Your Lease
If you are renting, check your lease for move-out requirements. Many Chicago landlords require 30 to 60 days written notice, and some buildings charge move-out fees or require a security deposit for the freight elevator.
Submit written notice to your landlord within the required window
Schedule your move-out inspection
Ask about any building-specific move-out rules, including required floor protection in hallways and elevator padding
Document the condition of your apartment with photos and video before you start packing
Begin Transferring Utilities and Services
Chicago-area utility transfers can take longer than you expect. Start the process now so everything is live on move-in day.
Contact ComEd to transfer or set up electric service
Contact Nicor Gas or Peoples Gas depending on your service area
Transfer or set up water service through the City of Chicago
Schedule cable and internet installation with your provider (Xfinity, RCN, and AT&T are the most common in the city and wait times for installation can stretch to two weeks during busy periods)
Forward your mail through USPS starting the week of your move
4 Weeks Before Your Move: Packing Begins
You are one month out. By now your movers are booked, your permits are submitted, and the paperwork is moving. It is time to start packing.
Gather Your Packing Supplies
You have two main options here. Traditional cardboard boxes work fine, but if you want a more sustainable approach, consider eco-friendly reusable moving boxes through The Chicago Green Box. These reusable Recopack crates are sturdier than cardboard, stackable, and waterproof, which is a real advantage if you are moving during a Chicago rainstorm.
Stock up on boxes in various sizes, or order reusable crates
Pick up packing supplies including tape, bubble wrap, packing paper, and markers
Grab wardrobe boxes for closets (saves a surprising amount of time)
Get mattress covers to protect against dirt and moisture during the move
Start Packing Non-Essential Rooms
Begin with rooms and items you will not need in the next four weeks. Think guest bedrooms, storage closets, holiday decorations, books, and out-of-season clothing.
Label every box on the top and at least one side with the room name and a brief description of contents
Pack heavy items in small boxes and light items in large boxes
Wrap fragile items individually and fill empty space in boxes with packing paper
Keep a running inventory list as you pack (a simple spreadsheet works great)
Number your boxes and note the count for each room
Update Your Address
Do not wait until the last minute. Some address changes take weeks to process.
Update your address with your bank, credit cards, and investment accounts
Change your address with your employer and payroll department
Notify your doctor, dentist, vet, and pharmacy
Update your Chicago city vehicle sticker registration if you are moving to a new zone (the city sticker is tied to your address and ward)
Transfer or update your voter registration through the Cook County Clerk’s office
2 Weeks Before Your Move: Final Preparations
The two-week mark is when everything comes together. Your home should be partially packed, your logistics should be confirmed, and you should be tying up loose ends.
Confirm Everything with Your Moving Company
Call your moving company to confirm your date, arrival time, and any special requirements. This is especially important for Chicago moves where timing and access can be complicated.
Confirm your move date, time window, and crew size
Review any special items that need extra handling (piano, antiques, oversized furniture)
Confirm building access details: which entrance, which elevator, any time restrictions
Ask your movers to bring floor runners and door frame protectors (a must for Chicago apartments and condos with strict hallway damage policies)
Get your mover’s certificate of insurance if your building requires one
Post Your No-Parking Signs
If you received temporary parking permit signs from the city, post them in the designated spots 24 to 48 hours before your move. This gives other vehicles time to relocate. If cars are still parked in your reserved zone on moving day, you can call 311 to have them ticketed and towed.
Finish Packing Main Living Areas
With two weeks left, start packing your kitchen, living room, and bathroom. Leave out only what you truly need for the next 14 days.
Pack kitchen items you rarely use first (specialty appliances, serving dishes, extra utensils)
Wrap and box all wall art, mirrors, and decorative items
Disassemble furniture that can be taken apart (bookshelves, bed frames, desks)
Bag and label all hardware and screws in zip-lock bags taped to the corresponding furniture piece
1 Week Before Your Move: The Final Countdown
This is the home stretch. Most of your home should be packed. This week is about the last-mile details that separate a smooth move from a stressful one.
Pack Your Essentials Box
This is the single most important box you will pack. It stays with you, not on the truck, and it contains everything you need for the first 24 hours in your new home.
Phone chargers and laptop
Medications and toiletries
A change of clothes for each family member
Basic cleaning supplies (paper towels, all-purpose spray, trash bags)
Toilet paper (trust us on this one)
Snacks and water bottles
Important documents (lease, IDs, moving contract)
Basic tools (screwdriver, hammer, box cutter)
Pet supplies if you have animals
Handle Season-Specific Chicago Prep
Chicago weather does not care about your moving schedule. A little preparation goes a long way depending on the season.
Summer moves (June through September): - Have cold water and sports drinks ready for your moving crew - Keep windows and doors open at the new place to let heat escape before moving furniture in - Be aware that Lincoln Park, Wrigleyville, and North Side streets may be crowded on game days and festival weekends
Winter moves (November through March): - Confirm your movers have experience with Chicago winter moving and use proper floor protection - Salt and shovel walkways, stairs, and loading areas at both locations - Protect electronics and wood furniture from extreme cold with blankets during transport - Watch for Chicago snow emergency route restrictions that could affect truck parking
Spring and fall moves: - Rain is common in both seasons, so have tarps and plastic wrap available - Falling leaves in autumn can make stairs and ramps slippery
Do a Final Walk-Through at Your New Home
If possible, visit your new place before moving day to check a few things.
Verify that all utilities are active and working
Measure doorways, hallways, and stairwells for your largest furniture pieces
Note any existing damage and photograph it for your records
Test all locks and make copies of keys
Clean the empty space before your belongings arrive (much easier now than after)
Moving Day: Your Chicago Game Plan
Moving day is here. If you have followed this checklist, you are in great shape. Now it is about execution.
Morning of the Move
Wake up early and do a final walk-through of every room, closet, and cabinet
Confirm your movers are on schedule (a quick text or call works)
Strip beds and pack bedding into labeled bags
Defrost and clean out the refrigerator if you have not already
Clear a path from every room to the front door or freight elevator
Set aside boxes and bags you want to transport personally (essentials box, valuables, documents)
When Your Movers Arrive
Walk the crew lead through your home and point out fragile items or special instructions
Show them the path to the truck, including which elevator to use and where to park
Stay available to answer questions but let the crew do their job
Offer water and point out the bathroom (a small courtesy that goes a long way)
Avoid hovering in hallways and doorways where crew members are carrying heavy items
Before You Leave Your Old Place
Check every room one more time, including closets, cabinets, and the medicine cabinet
Check the garage, storage unit, and back porch
Turn off all lights and lock all windows
Set the thermostat to the appropriate setting per your lease
Leave keys and garage openers as agreed with your landlord
Take final photos of the empty apartment for your records
At Your New Home
Direct movers on where to place large furniture (it is much easier to decide now than to rearrange later)
Check off boxes against your inventory list as they come off the truck
Inspect furniture and boxes for damage before signing the delivery receipt
Set up beds first so you have a place to sleep tonight
Unpack the essentials box and get the bathroom and kitchen functional
Post-Move: Your First Week Settling In
Congratulations, you made it through moving day. But a few tasks remain to make sure your transition is fully complete.
First 48 Hours
Unpack kitchen essentials and set up the bathroom
Assemble beds and get bedrooms functional
Test all appliances and note anything that does not work
Introduce yourself to your new neighbors (a Chicago tradition that still matters)
Locate your nearest grocery store, pharmacy, and urgent care
First Week
Unpack room by room in priority order (kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, then living areas)
Break down boxes and recycle them, or if you used reusable crates, schedule your return pickup
Update your driver’s license address with the Illinois Secretary of State (required within 90 days of moving)
Update your Chicago city vehicle sticker if applicable
Register your dog with Chicago Animal Care and Control if you have moved to a new ward
Set up any remaining furniture and hang pictures once you know where everything goes
Within 30 Days
File a change of address with the IRS
Update your vehicle registration if you moved to a new county
Find new local service providers (doctor, dentist, vet, dry cleaner)
Leave a review for your moving company if they did a great job (honest reviews help other Chicago movers make smart choices)
Final Thoughts
Moving in Chicago is not like moving anywhere else. Between building rules, city permits, unpredictable weather, and the sheer logistics of navigating one of the country’s largest cities, you need a plan that accounts for all of it. This week-by-week moving checklist gives you that plan.
The key is to start early, stay organized, and work with a moving company that knows Chicago inside and out. At The Professionals Moving Specialists, we have been helping Chicagoans move since 2004. With over 4,500 five-star Google reviews and a commitment to transparent pricing with no hidden fees, we take the stress out of your move so you can focus on what matters: settling into your new home.
Ready to check the biggest item off your list? Get your free moving estimate today and let our team build a moving plan around your timeline.