A Chicago move has a lot of parts. You have tight streets. You have stairs. You have snow half the year. The fix is a plan.

This guide breaks the job into small steps. Start at the top. Check off each line. You will feel in charge by move day.

Aaron Bros Moving System, Inc. has moved folks here since 1969. Here is the plan we like best.

Moving Checklist: Step-by-Step Timeline for Your Chicago Relocation at a Glance

  • Eight weeks out: plan and book
  • Six weeks out: sort and toss
  • Four weeks out: papers and boxes
  • Two weeks out: lock in the small stuff
  • One week out: the last push
  • Move day: point, lift, and check
  • Week one: settle in

Eight Weeks Out: Plan and Book

  • Set a budget. Write down what you can spend.
  • Pick your date. Ask your landlord or agent to say yes in writing.
  • Book your crew now. May through fall books up fast here.
  • Snap photos of each room. They help you plan and pack.
  • Read your new lease. Look for move-in rules and time slots.

Six Weeks Out: Sort and Toss

  • Go room by room. Keep, sell, give away, or toss.
  • Sell the big stuff you do not want to haul up stairs.
  • Drop off old clothes and books at a nearby charity.
  • Ask us about storage if your dates do not line up.
  • Start one folder for all move papers.

Four Weeks Out: Papers and Boxes

  • File a change of address with the post office.
  • Call about gas, power, water, and web. Set start and stop dates.
  • Ask your building about lift time. Some towers book it weeks out.
  • Ask the city about a truck parking permit. Lead times change, so call soon.
  • Pack the stuff you rarely touch. Think books, art, and off-season coats.
  • Mark each box with the room and what is in it.

A note on Chicago dates. A lot of leases here flip on the first of the month. May 1 and October 1 are the two big ones. Book early if you move then.

Two Weeks Out: Lock In the Small Stuff

  • Call us to confirm the date, the truck size, and the start time.
  • Tell your building staff when the truck will show up.
  • Book the lift or hold the dock, if your place has one.
  • Refill any meds you take.
  • Make a plan for pets and small kids.
  • Eat what is left in the freezer.

One Week Out: The Last Push

  • Pack all but a few day-to-day things.
  • Make a first-night bag for each person.
  • Take beds apart if you can. Bag the screws and tape them to the frame.
  • Clear a path from your door to the curb.
  • Check the weather. This town can turn cold and wet fast.

The Day Before

  • Charge your phone and a spare pack.
  • Clean out the fridge and let it thaw.
  • Put keys, papers, and cash in one bag you carry yourself.
  • Put up your parking signs if the city gave you some.
  • Get to bed early. Move day starts at dawn.

Move Day: Point, Lift, and Check

  • Be there when the crew rolls up.
  • Walk them through each room. Point out what stays.
  • Keep your first-night bag with you, not on the truck.
  • Do one last walk-through. Check closets, the porch, and the basement.
  • Snap a photo of the meters. Then lock up.

Week One: Settle In

  • Set up beds and the kitchen first. The rest can wait.
  • Check each box off your list.
  • Update your license and car papers.
  • Buy a city sticker if your car now lives in town.
  • Find the closest store, park, and train stop. Say hi to the neighbors.

Ready to Book? Call Aaron Bros Moving System, Inc.

A good plan needs a good crew. We have hauled couches up three-flats and down back stairs since 1969. We know the alleys, the one-ways, and the rules in your part of town.

Call Aaron Bros Moving System, Inc. today for a free quote. Pick your date, and let us take it from there.