Apartment Moving Checklist: Your Step-by-Step Guide for Boise Moves

Moving into a new apartment in Boise, Idaho, can be exciting — but without a plan, it can quickly turn stressful. Whether you’re a first-time renter or a seasoned mover, having a detailed apartment moving checklist will save you time, money, and headaches.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to do before, during, and after your apartment move, including essential packing tips, budgeting advice, and how to choose the best moving companies for apartment moving in Boise and Seattle.

1️⃣ Start with a Moving Checklist for Your Apartment

The best way to ensure a smooth relocation is to begin with a detailed moving checklist apartment. Write down all your moving tasks — from decluttering to hiring movers — and set realistic timelines for each.

Your moving checklist should include:

• Declutter and donate unused items

• Request quotes from moving companies for apartment moving Boise and Seattle

• Gather packing materials

• Notify your landlord and update your address

• Transfer utilities and subscriptions

• Schedule moving day services

• Clean your old apartment before handing over keys

💡 Pro Tip: Start planning as soon as you know your moving date. The earlier you prepare, the easier your move will be.

If you find the best local movers Boise to help you relocate, and you follow your checklist, relocating your Boise apartment will be easy and stress-free. And when it comes to the time frame of planning your relocation, we can tell you one thing – the sooner the better. 

The cost of your relocation

Once you start planning the relocation of your Boise home you will quickly see how expenses just start piling up. Deciding will you move on your own or with the help of professional movers will seem like a hard decision. Naturally, you will want to make your move affordable. And although it might seem that a DIY move will do just that – keep in mind that you might end up paying much more. Professional movers are far more experienced and they know how to handle your belongings. It might seem easy to just pack everything into a truck – but it is not.

Other costs of any relocation besides professional movers include:

• Cleaning your old home
• Packing materials
• Moving insurance
• Travel costs
• Storage

Plan your budget for relocating your Boise apartment

Before you begin packing, creating a clear moving budget is one of the smartest steps you can take. Start by listing every task involved in your relocation and estimating each cost. Key expenses typically include:

• Hiring professional movers in Boise

• Purchasing Boise packing supplies

• Costs for utilities, cleaning, and travel

• Extra funds for unexpected expenses

Always leave a small buffer for additional packing supplies—you’ll almost always need more once you start. Consider separating your budget into envelopes or digital categories (movers, supplies, storage, cleaning) to track everything with ease.

You can boost your moving budget

One of the things that people often do to boost their moving budget is to organize a garage sale. That way, not only you can add money to your moving budget but you can also save money on packing. Fewer things to pack means fewer things to relocate and that will lower the total cost of the relocation of your Boise apartment.

Estimated Moving Costs for Routes Near Boise and Long-Distance Moves

Planning your move begins with understanding what you can expect to spend. To help you budget more accurately, we’ve compiled estimated moving costs for relocation routes within the Boise area as well as long-distance moves such as Boise to Los Angeles. These estimates reflect average pricing for professional movers and can vary depending on the size of your home, distance traveled, packing needs, and seasonal demand. Use this table as a helpful starting point when mapping out your Boise moving budget.

Route	Move Size	Estimated Cost (Professional Movers)
Local / Nearby Idaho Cities
Boise → Nampa (~20–30 mi)	Studio / 1 BR	~ $600 – $1,162
Boise → Caldwell	2 BR	~ $855
Boise (intracity)	3 BR	~ $1,992
Boise (intracity)	4+ BR	~ $2,287 – $3,526
Long Distance (Interstate)
Boise, ID → Los Angeles, CA	Studio / 1 BR	~ $1,411 – $5,399
Boise, ID → Los Angeles, CA	2–3 BR	~ $2,711 – $6,884
Boise, ID → Los Angeles, CA	4+ BR	~ $4,453 – $9,302 (source: moveBuddha)

Research Professional Movers for Your Boise Apartment Relocation

Searching for the right moving companies in Boise, ID takes time, but it’s worth the effort. Look for:

• Licensed and insured long-distance movers Boise

• Companies offering free quotes

• Movers specializing in apartment relocations

Create a comparison sheet with each company’s pricing, services, and your personal impressions. This makes it easier to choose a mover who fits your needs and budget.

Read their reviews

Online reviews help you understand what to expect. Check multiple platforms and look for consistent feedback. A few negative reviews are normal—focus on patterns, not one-off complaints. Avoid companies with only perfect reviews; these are often not genuine.

Declutter Before You Move Your Boise Apartment

Decluttering is one of the most important steps in lowering your moving costs. Fewer items = fewer boxes + fewer hours of labor.

Ask yourself:

• Have I used this item more than once in the past two years?

• Is it broken or damaged?

Ideally, you should have 3 piles: keep, donate and throw. The golden rule is that once you place something under one of these three piles – do not move it around or go back to it. But don’t worry, if you simply have a lot of things that are dear memories to you and you are not ready to say goodbye, you can get storage units Boise to store all those items. And once you are ready, you can throw them or donate them.

Start Packing Early and Stay Organized

Packing always takes longer than people expect. Begin a few weeks ahead so you’re not overwhelmed during the final days.

• Start room by room

• Label each box clearly

• Keep essential items for last

• Consider professional packers if you’re short on time

Packing Supplies You’ll Need for Your Boise Move

You’ll need:

• Moving boxes

• Packing paper

• Plastic wrap

• Packing peanuts

• Tape

• Markers

• Moving blankets

For bulky or specialty items like pianos or pool tables, hire piano movers Boise or professional specialty movers.

How to Pack Fragile Items Safely

Fragile items require extra care. Label boxes as FRAGILE on multiple sides and ensure there’s no empty space inside the box. Avoid overfilling.

Use:

• Packing peanuts

• Bubble wrap

• Crumpled paper

• Extra padding for corners

The goal is zero movement inside the box.

Packing Your Clothes When Relocating Your Boise Apartment

Avoid simply tossing clothes into boxes. Instead:

• Use wardrobe boxes if your budget allows

• Pack clothes inside suitcases, drawers, or duffel bags

• Protect delicate fabrics with plastic wrap or linens

This saves money and reduces damage.

Where to start packing?

Begin with:

1. Least-used rooms (guest room, storage room, garage)

2. Non-essential household items

3. Kitchen items closer to the move date

4. Bathroom supplies last

A room-by-room approach makes packing more efficient and organized.

Decide on Storage Before Your Boise Move

If you’ll need storage, decide ahead of time—not on moving day. Storage helps you:

• Keep seasonal items safe

• Protect sentimental belongings

• Declutter your new home

Label everything and keep an inventory for easy access later.

Also, you will have much more time to organize everything, especially if you plan to store books and photos. Your storage should be very well organized. That way your items won’t get damaged and you will be able to get anything you need from your storage unit.

Transfer Utilities Before Moving Out of Your Boise Apartment

Last but not least, don’t forget to transfer your utilities to your new address. Before moving day, make sure you:

• Update your utilities

• Transfer internet and cable

• Update subscriptions

• Forward your mail

• Transfer medical records

• Update pet records

Add all of these to your Boise moving checklist to avoid last-minute stress.

It is important to add all of these things to your moving checklist so you can make sure that you don’t skip anything.

Say Goodbye and Enjoy Your Last Days in Your Boise Apartment

Take time to say goodbye to your old neighborhood before leaving. Visit your favorite spots, walk familiar streets, and enjoy your final moments in your current home. This emotional closure helps you embrace your next chapter with excitement and confidence.

Why Choose Peasley Boise Movers for Your Next Relocation

When it comes to moving in, out of, or around Boise, choosing the right moving company makes all the difference — and Peasley Boise Movers stands out as one of the most trusted names in the region. With decades of experience serving Idaho residents, Peasley delivers a moving experience built on professionalism, reliability, and true local expertise.

Whether you’re relocating from a nearby city like Nampa or Caldwell, or planning a long-distance move from a major metro like Los Angeles, Peasley offers:

• Certified and experienced moving crews who handle your belongings with care

• Comprehensive residential moving services, from packing to transportation to unloading

• Secure storage solutions for short-term or long-term needs

• Competitive, transparent pricing with no hidden fees

• Specialty moving services for pianos, antiques, large furniture, and delicate items

• Local Boise knowledge that ensures efficiency, safety, and a smooth moving day

Peasley Boise Movers is committed to making your relocation stress-free from start to finish. Get a Free Quote!