How to Plan a Move in South Jersey — A Complete Guide

Planning a residential move in South Jersey requires more than packing boxes and renting a truck. The towns, housing types, and local regulations across Camden, Gloucester, Burlington, Salem, and Atlantic counties each come with specific conditions that affect how a move should be organized. This guide covers every step from eight weeks out through settling into the new home — with details specific to South Jersey conditions, not generic advice that could apply anywhere in the country.

8 Weeks Before Move Day

This is when the major decisions get made. Start by booking a licensed, insured moving company. Professional movers in South Jersey fill up quickly during peak season (May through September), so confirming the date early avoids schedule conflicts and last-minute price increases. Get at least two to three quotes and confirm that each company holds an active New Jersey Public Movers License and a valid USDOT number.

Notify your landlord or realtor of your move date in writing. Most New Jersey leases require 30 to 60 days written notice before vacating. If you are buying a home, confirm the closing date and coordinate the move-in date with your title company.

Begin researching utility transfer procedures. PSE&G serves most of South Jersey for electric and gas service — schedule a transfer or new service request at least two to three weeks before your move date. South Jersey Gas covers parts of Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland, and Atlantic counties. Both utilities allow online scheduling, but confirming by phone avoids missed appointments that could leave the new home without heat or hot water on move-in day.

## 6 Weeks Before Move Day

Start decluttering room by room. Go through closets, basements, attics, and garages. Donate items to Goodwill or the Salvation Army — both operate pickup services across South Jersey. Sell larger items on Facebook Marketplace or through local consignment shops. Every item that does not make the move reduces packing time, truck space, and total cost.

Order packing supplies so they are on hand when packing begins. Standard supplies include small, medium, and large boxes, packing paper (newsprint-free to avoid ink transfer), bubble wrap for fragile items, packing tape, and a permanent marker for labeling. Specialty items like dish pack boxes, mirror boxes, and wardrobe boxes can be purchased from moving supply retailers or requested through Maloney's Moving as part of a full-service packing add-on.

## 4 Weeks Before Move Day

Begin packing non-essential items. Off-season clothing, books, decorative items, and items from guest rooms and storage areas can be packed first without disrupting daily routines. Pack one room at a time and label every box with the destination room at the new home — not just the contents. This tells the moving crew exactly where each box goes without the homeowner having to direct traffic on move day.

Confirm the move date in writing with the moving company. Verify the crew size, estimated hours, truck size, and what is included in the quote (stairs, long walks, disassembly/reassembly, packing materials). Written confirmation prevents misunderstandings on the day of the move.

## 2 Weeks Before Move Day

Submit a change of address at usps.com/move. The USPS will forward first-class mail to the new address for up to 12 months. Notify PSE&G and South Jersey Gas of the exact move date to schedule disconnection at the old address and activation at the new one.

Contact your bank, insurance companies (health, auto, homeowner or renter), employer, and any subscription services with the new address. Update your vehicle registration and insurance policy if moving to a different municipality.

If moving into an apartment or condo building, contact building management to reserve elevator access and confirm move-in time windows. Many South Jersey complexes — especially in Cherry Hill, Voorhees, and Camden — require proof of mover's insurance (Certificate of Insurance) submitted in advance. Maloney's Moving provides COIs to building management on the customer's behalf as part of the standard service.

## 1 Week Before Move Day

Confirm truck parking access at both the origin and destination address. A standard moving truck is 26 feet long and needs a clear, flat area close to the building entrance. Narrow streets in Haddonfield, Collingswood, and Woodbury may require a borough parking permit for the truck — check with the local municipal clerk's office.

Reserve an elevator with building management if the move involves a high-rise or mid-rise building. Pack an essentials bag to keep with you — not on the truck. This should include medications, phone chargers, a change of clothes, important documents (IDs, lease or deed, insurance), toiletries, and snacks. Having these items accessible avoids digging through boxes on the first night.

Disassemble any furniture you plan to handle yourself (beds, desks, shelving). If Maloney's Moving is providing disassembly and reassembly as part of the service, leave furniture assembled — the crew handles it on move day.

## Move Day

Have payment ready before the crew arrives. Maloney's Moving accepts cash, Zelle, Square, Venmo, and Cash App. Confirm the payment method in advance so there are no delays at the end of the job.

Keep pets and young children in a separate room or off-site during the move. Open doors, heavy furniture in motion, and moving dollies create safety hazards that are difficult to manage when pets or children are underfoot.

Before the crew departs the old address, do a final walkthrough of every room — including closets, the attic, the garage, the basement, and the backyard shed. Check behind doors and inside built-in cabinets. Items left behind after the truck leaves require a separate trip to retrieve.

## After the Move

Check every room and every item at the new home before signing off. Note any damage or missing items immediately and communicate them to the moving company the same day.

Update your NJ driver's license address within 60 days — this is required by New Jersey law. The address change can be completed online through the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission website or in person at a local MVC office.

Register to vote at the new address if applicable. This can be done online at the New Jersey Division of Elections website or at any NJ MVC office.

Schedule any repairs, painting, or cleaning at the new home for the first week. It is much easier to paint, clean carpets, and fix minor issues before furniture is in place than after.