Moving Checklists & Timelines
Your Master Timeline
8–12 weeks before the move
Create a moving budget and pick your move style: full-service movers, container, or DIY truck.
Research movers and get 3 quotes in writing.
If you’ll ship a car, compare brokers and carriers, verify insurance, and confirm pickup window in writing.
Start a digital folder for contracts, receipts, and photos of valuables.
6 weeks before
Start decluttering: sell, donate, recycle. Use your local “Buy Nothing” groups on Facebook to give stuff away.
Order/buy moving supplies and begin non-daily packing.
If you have pets, schedule vet records transfer and update microchips.
4 weeks before
Submit your USPS Change of Address online or at the post office. Customer service: 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777), https://www.usps.com/manage/forward.htm.
Set up or schedule utilities for your new Omaha address:
OPPD (electric): 402-536-4131 Omaha metro, 1-877-536-4131 outside, Start/Stop/Move service at https://www.oppd.com/residential/startstopmove-electric-service/
MUD (natural gas and water): Customer Service 402-554-6666, Emergency 402-554-7777, https://www.mudomaha.com
2 weeks before
Confirm mover arrival times, elevator or loading dock reservations, and COI if required.
Set up trash and recycling reminders for your new address.
Make a “first-night” box for bedding, towels, basic cookware, medications, pet supplies, and kids’ favorites.
1 week before
Check Nebraska 511 for road conditions and construction on your drive: dial 511 in Nebraska or use https://www.511.nebraska.gov
Defrost the freezer, confirm parking for the truck, and photograph the empty home for your records.
Moving day
Keep IDs, keys, chargers, a small toolkit, and pet gear with you.
Do one last walkthrough and take meter photos.
Handy Omaha contacts and links
Electric — OPPD: 402-536-4131 Omaha, 1-877-536-4131 outside; start or stop service: https://www.oppd.com/residential/startstopmove-electric-service/
Gas and Water — MUD: Customer Service 402-554-6666, Emergency 402-554-7777; https://www.mudomaha.com
Trash and Recycling — City of Omaha Wasteline: Solid Waste Helpline 402-444-5238; schedules and rules: https://www.wasteline.org
Alternative trash provider — Papillion Sanitation (used by some neighborhoods and nearby suburbs): 402-346-7800; https://papillion-sanitation.com
DMV — Douglas County vehicle registration: 402-444-7103; locations and info: https://dmv.nebraska.gov/locations/douglas-county
DMV — Nebraska driver licensing, change of address: 402-471-3861 (Driver Licensing Division), change-of-address details: https://dmv.nebraska.gov/dl/change-address
USPS Change of Address: 1-800-275-8777; https://www.usps.com/manage/forward.htm
Voter registration — Douglas County Election Commission: 402-444-8683; https://www.votedouglascounty-ne.gov/
Weather — National Weather Service Omaha/Valley: https://www.weather.gov/oax/
Road conditions — Nebraska 511: dial 511 or visit https://www.511.nebraska.gov
Household hazardous waste — UnderTheSink: 402-444-7465; https://www.underthesink.org
Community help — 211 Nebraska: dial 2-1-1 or 866-813-1731; https://uwm211.org
Bookmark this moving checklist and work through it a week at a time for a smooth landing in Omaha. When you are ready, personalize it to your neighborhood and household needs, or turn it into a printable version so everyone can stay on the same page.
