Moving Checklist for Chatsworth Residents: A Local’s Guide to a Low-Stress Move

Moving in or out of Chatsworth isn’t just “another move.” We’re dealing with canyon roads, valley heat, busy parking on Devonshire, and sometimes tight access up in the hills. When people try to follow a generic moving checklist they found online, they usually miss the little local details that make a big difference here.

Let’s walk through a practical, down-to-earth moving checklist specifically for Chatsworth residents. We’ll talk:

• Timelines
• Utilities
• Packing
• Building/HOA rules
• Parking permits
• How we at United Prime Van Lines can quietly take 80% of the stress off your plate.

We’ll keep it simple, step-by-step. You don’t have to do everything perfectly. You just have to do it in the right order.

8 Weeks Before Moving Day – Setting the Groundwork

At about two months out, you’re not packing yet. You’re just laying the foundation so you’re not scrambling later.

Confirm Your Dates & Your Plan

• Lock in your move date (or at least your move week).
• Decide if you’re:
• Staying in Chatsworth.
• Moving elsewhere in the Valley.
• Leaving California / moving out of state.

Your plan affects timing, cost, and even what type of truck we bring. For example, if you’re up near the 118 with steep driveways, we might bring a smaller truck and a shuttle instead of one huge tractor-trailer.

Start a Moving Folder (Digital or Paper)

We always recommend our Chatsworth clients create a single “home base” for move info:

• Email folder: “Move – Chatsworth”
• Phone note or Google Doc
• Or a small binder with:
• Quotes
• Receipts
• To-do lists
• Contact info for landlord/HOA, movers, utilities

This way, when we call or email you with details, everything goes into one place. No more “which email was that in?”

Get Quotes and Reserve Your Movers

If you’re moving at the end of the month or on a weekend, you’re competing with half the Valley.

We suggest:

1. Get a detailed quote (not just a ballpark number).
2. Ask about:

• Stairs
• Elevator use
• Long carries from parking to door
• Special items: pianos, safes, large glass furniture

1. Ask if they:

• Offer packing/unpacking
• Handle long-distance moves
• Provide furniture disassembly/reassembly
• Offer storage if there’s a gap between homes

This is exactly where we come in. At United Prime Van Lines, we walk through your move with you—either virtually or in person—and flag the tricky parts early: uphill driveways, limited truck parking, tight condo lots, etc. The more we know now, the smoother your move goes later.

If You’re Renting: Talk to Your Landlord Early

Chatsworth has plenty of apartment complexes and smaller rental buildings. Each has its own rules for moving.

Ask your landlord or property manager:

• Do you require:
• A certificate of insurance (COI) from the movers?
• A specific move-in/move-out time window?
• An elevator reservation?
• Any restrictions on:
• Parking the truck?
• Use of loading docks?
• Moving on weekends only / weekdays only?

We can provide the COI and any documentation your building needs—just let us know the building’s requirements early.

6 Weeks Before – Light Decluttering, Smart Decisions

Now we start deciding what’s worth taking with you.

Walk Through Every Room with a Critical Eye

Go room by room:

• Keep
• Sell
• Donate
• Trash / bulk pickup

Be firm with yourself. Chatsworth garages are infamous for storing “stuff for later” that never actually gets used.

Focus on:

• Old furniture that doesn’t fit your new place.
• Worn-out mattresses.
• Broken or outdated electronics.
• Kids’ items they’ve outgrown.
• Old paperwork you can shred.

The more you let go of now, the cheaper and easier your move will be. You’re paying to move every pound.

Plan for Donations and Bulk Pickups

Local options (they change, so always double-check):

• Goodwill or local thrift stores in the Valley.
• Habitat for Humanity ReStore (for furniture and building materials).
• City of LA bulky item pickup (if applicable to your address).

Schedule these early. Don’t leave a couch on the curb the night before your move and hope someone takes it. We’ve seen that go wrong too many times.

Create a Rough Furniture Layout for Your New Place

Even a simple sketch on paper helps. Measure:

• Big pieces: sofa, bed frames, dining table, large desks.
• Entry doors, hallways, stairwells in your new place.

Send those dimensions to us if you want a second opinion. We’ve seen a lot of “this couch will definitely fit—oh wait, no it won’t” moments in Chatsworth condos and older homes.

4 Weeks Before – Booking, Notifications, and Utilities

One month out, you’re locking things in.

Finalize Your Moving Company Booking

By now, you’ll want to:

• Confirm:
• Move date
• Start time
• Addresses (old and new)
• Special items list
• Decide:
• Are we packing for you?
• Are we unpacking at the new place?
• Do you need temporary storage?

With United Prime Van Lines, once we lock in your date, we’ll walk you through what to expect in the weeks leading up—how much to pack, what we’ll handle, and what we recommend you leave for us on move day (like TVs, glass tabletops, large mirrors).

Update Address & Important Accounts

Start your change of address process:

• USPS change of address
• Banks and credit unions
• Credit cards
• Insurance (auto, renters, homeowners)
• Subscriptions and deliveries:
• Amazon, Chewy, meal kits, etc.
• Employer HR/payroll

If you’re staying in the Valley, most of this is just a simple address change. If you’re moving out of state, you’ll also think about:

• Car registration (for the new state).
• Driver’s license update.
• Voter registration.

We can’t do these admin tasks for you, but we can keep reminding you of the timeline so nothing falls through the cracks.

Schedule Utilities – Both Ends of the Move

For your Chatsworth place:

• Electricity & gas (likely LADWP / SoCal Gas)
• Internet & cable
• Trash & recycling (if applicable)
• Any security system or smart home services

Plan the overlap:

• Turn OFF old utilities: The day after your move, if possible.
• Turn ON new utilities: A day or two before move-in, so you’re not unloading boxes in a dark, hot house.

If you’re moving in summer, this is big. Chatsworth heat + no A/C on move-in day equals a very long, very sweaty experience. We see it more often than you’d think.

3 Weeks Before – Packing Strategy and Supplies

This is where the physical work begins, but we’re still doing it in stages so it doesn’t steamroll your life.

Decide: DIY Packing vs. Pro Packing (or Hybrid)

Be honest about:

• Your schedule.
• Your back/health.
• Your patience for wrapping dishes at 11 PM.

Options we walk clients through:

• Full Packing We bring the boxes, supplies, and team. You just set aside essentials and sentimental items, and we do the rest.
• Partial / Hybrid
• You pack: Clothes, books, linens, toys, and simple decor.
• We pack: Kitchen breakables, artwork and mirrors, TVs and electronics, glass and marble furniture.
• DIY with Guidance You pack everything, but we can drop off quality boxes, tape, and packing paper, and give you a custom list based on your home.

Get Proper Packing Supplies

Cheap, flimsy boxes lead to crushed corners and broken dishes. For a Chatsworth move, especially if we’re going up and down stairs or dealing with apartment corridors, you want sturdy materials.

You’ll typically need:

• Small boxes (for books, tools, heavy items).
• Medium boxes (general household items).
• Large boxes (pillows, bedding, light bulky items).
• Wardrobe boxes (for hanging clothes).
• Dish packs (extra-strong for kitchenware).
• Packing paper and bubble wrap.
• Strong tape and a couple of decent markers.

If we’re your movers, we can provide all of this, and we’ll match the box types to your specific home. One-story ranch in Chatsworth vs. a 3rd-floor apartment off Mason Ave calls for slightly different setups.

Start Packing the “Non-Essentials”

Three weeks out, start with what you won’t miss:

• Off-season clothing
• Holiday decorations
• Books you’re not reading soon
• Extra bedding and towels
• Decorative items and framed photos

Label each box with:

• Room (NEW house): “New House – Master Bedroom”
• Contents: “Winter clothes” or “Books – fiction”
• Priority: “Open first” or “Seasonal”

This helps us place boxes in the right rooms so you’re not hunting for everything later.

2 Weeks Before – Details, Logistics, and Special Items

Now we’re fine-tuning.

Confirm Parking and Access (Old and New Homes)

Chatsworth has its quirks:

• Narrow residential streets.
• Hillside homes with limited driveway space.
• Busy complexes with limited guest parking.

Walk outside and look at:

• Where can a moving truck park?
• Are there:
• Red curbs?
• “No parking” signs?
• Time restrictions?

If needed:

• Get permission from neighbors for temporary parking.
• Talk to your HOA or building about:
• Loading zones.
• Move hours.
• Use of elevators and stairwells.

Share this with us. We’ll plan the right size truck and crew, and we’ll know whether we need a shuttle or extra equipment.

Set Aside Valuables and Personal Documents

There are some things you shouldn’t send on the truck, no matter how trusted your movers are:

• Passports and IDs
• Important documents (tax records, medical files)
• Jewelry and small valuables
• Personal electronics you’ll need immediately (laptop, chargers)
• Prescription medications
• Keys and spare keys

Designate a backpack or small suitcase for these. That stays with you, not on the truck.

Make a Plan for Kids and Pets

Moving day is chaotic. If possible:

• See if a family member or friend can watch:
• Young kids
• Dogs/cats (especially anxious ones)
• If not, set up:
• A “safe room” for pets with:
• Food, water, litter box
• Familiar toys and bedding
• Label the door “Do Not Open – Pets Inside” for the crew

We’re careful, but moving day is doors open, boxes moving, people in and out. A plan for kids and pets keeps everyone safer.

1 Week Before – Serious Packing and Clean-Up

This is the week where your home starts looking like you’re really moving.

Finish Most of Your Packing (If DIY)

Aim to have 80–90% of your non-essential and semi-essential items packed:

• Extra kitchen items (beyond what you need for the week).
• Most of your clothing (except a week’s worth).
• Extra toiletries, decor, books, toys.

Leave out:

• A basic cookware set.
• A few plates, cups, and utensils.
• Towels and bedding for the last nights.
• Everyday clothes and shoes.

If we’re handling the packing, we’ll come in with a crew and knock this out in an organized way. We typically schedule this 1–2 days before your move, depending on home size.

Create a “First Night” Box (or Two)

Think of your first 24–48 hours. You'll need:

• Bedding and pillows.
• Towels and basic toiletries.
• Phone chargers.
• Scissors / box cutter.
• A change of clothes for each person.
• Paper plates, plastic utensils, trash bags.
• Basic cleaning supplies.
• Coffee/tea, snacks, pet food, and bowls.

Label clearly: “OPEN FIRST – FIRST NIGHT.” When we’re unloading, just tell us where you want these boxes, and we’ll keep them front and center.

Plan Your Food and Fridge

The week before:

• Stop big grocery runs.
• Use up what’s in your fridge and freezer.
• Avoid opening new large containers (juice, milk, sauces).

The night before or morning of:

• Clean out the fridge.
• Toss expired items.
• Pack non-perishables you’re taking with you.

We don’t move perishables long-distance, and even for local Chatsworth moves, a half-full, leaking fridge box is a mess you don’t want.

1–2 Days Before – Final Prep and Walkthrough

We’re almost there.

Disassemble What You Can (Unless We’re Doing It)

If you’re handling your own furniture breakdown:

• Beds
• Large desks
• Shelving units
• Any furniture that doesn’t fit through doors assembled

Put hardware (screws, bolts) into labeled baggies and tape them to the furniture pieces or keep them all together in a small “hardware” box.

If you’d rather not deal with a hex key at 10 PM, we’ll disassemble and reassemble for you. We do this every day, and we’re fast and careful.

Confirm With Your Movers

With us, you’ll get:

• Arrival time window for moving day.
• Crew size.
• Contact info for your move coordinator or driver.

Double-check:

• Addresses.
• Parking instructions.
• Any last-minute additions (like “we decided to donate the old dresser after all”).

Clear and Clean as You Go

You don’t need to deep clean yet (unless your landlord requires it before move-out), but:

• Empty and wipe down cabinets you’ve cleared.
• Check high shelves and closets.
• Gather trash in one spot for easy disposal.

Doing a light clean while you pack reveals hidden items and makes the final sweep much easier.

Moving Day in Chatsworth – What to Expect and What to Do

This is where having a solid checklist pays off.

Your Moving Day Checklist (For You)

On the morning of your move:

• Keep phones charged.
• Wear comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes.
• Set aside:
• “First Night” box.
• Valuables bag.
• Keys, wallets, IDs.

When our crew arrives, we’ll:

• Walk through the home with you.
• Confirm items:
• What’s going.
• What’s staying.
• What needs special handling.
• Protect:
• Floors.
• Doorways.
• Stair rails, as needed.

Your job during loading:

• Be available for questions.
• Point out:
• Fragile items.
• Items that need to be loaded last or unloaded first.
• Double-check closets and small spaces as rooms empty.

Keep an Eye on Utilities and Access

Before leaving your old Chatsworth home:

• Turn off lights.
• Check thermostat.
• Lock windows and doors.
• Take photos:
• Condition of rooms (especially if renting).
• Meter readings, if needed.

If it’s a particularly hot day, remember to set the new place’s A/C before we arrive, if you can get there first. Unloading in a cool home changes everyone’s mood.

At the New Place: Guiding the Unload

Once we arrive at your new home:

• Do a quick walk-through with us:
• Which room is which (“This is Bedroom 1, this is the office”).
• Where you want major furniture pieces.
• Show us any delicate floors, tight turns, or tricky stairwells.

We’ll:

• Place boxes in their labeled rooms.
• Set up beds (if scheduled).
• Reassemble furniture (if part of your service).
• Position big items so you’re not dragging them around later.

Your job:

• Direct furniture placement.
• Keep an eye on:
• “Open first” boxes.
• Kids and pets.
• Do one last walkthrough of the truck and home with us to make sure nothing’s missed.

After the Move – Unpacking, Settling In, and Small Details

The truck is gone, you’re standing in a sea of boxes. This is where a little structure helps.

Prioritize What to Unpack First

We usually suggest this order:

1. Bedroom Make the beds first. You’ll thank yourself tonight.
2. Bathroom Towels, toiletries, shower curtain, basic supplies.
3. Kitchen (Essentials) A few pots and pans, plates, cups, utensils, coffee maker.
4. Living Room (Basic Setup) Sofa, TV (if you want it right away), a comfortable spot to sit and decompress.

Leave decor and non-essentials for later. You don’t have to “finish” the house in one weekend.

Handle Trash and Recycling Gradually

You’ll collect:

• Flattened boxes.
• Packing paper.
• Bubble wrap and tape.

You can:

• Break down boxes and put them out over a few pickup days.
• Offer good, sturdy boxes on local buy-nothing or neighborhood groups.
• Keep a few for future storage.

If we’re doing your unpacking, we’ll also handle breaking down most of the materials and consolidating them so you’re not buried in cardboard.

Take Care of the Remaining Admin Tasks

In the weeks after:

• Confirm your address change is active everywhere.
• Check that all utilities are correct and in your name.
• Update your driver’s license and vehicle registration if you’ve moved far.

And take some time to actually enjoy the new place. Chatsworth has great access to hiking in the Santa Susana Mountains, parks, and relatively easy freeway access when it’s not rush hour. Give yourself a break before tackling every last picture frame.

How We Fit Into Your Chatsworth Moving Checklist

You absolutely can move on your own. Plenty of people do. But if you’d rather not spend weeks juggling details alone, this is exactly why we’re here.

With United Prime Van Lines, we can:

• Help you build a custom checklist based on:
• Your specific home (hillside, apartment, single-story, etc.).
• Your timeline.
• Your budget and energy level.
• Provide:
• Packing materials.
• Full or partial packing.
• Furniture disassembly/reassembly.
• Local and long-distance moves.
• Storage if you have a gap between homes.
• Coordinate:
• Building requirements (COI, elevator times).
• Parking and access strategies.
• Special handling for fragile and high-value items.

We treat our Chatsworth clients like neighbors, because in a way, you are. From the first call to the last box off the truck, our goal is for you to feel like someone capable and calm is walking through this with you—step by step, no drama.

If you’re staring at your place right now thinking, “I don’t even know where to start,” that’s okay. Start with the date, then the plan, then the first small task. We can help you with the rest.