A Local’s Guide to Planning a Stress-Free Move in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Beyond.

A Local’s Guide to Planning a Stress-Free Move in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Beyond.

Moving into a new home is one of life’s most exciting milestones—but without a clear, battle-tested plan, the logistics can quickly become overwhelming. Whether you are relocating from a historic duplex in Saint Paul to a modern loft in the North Loop, or upgrading to a family home in Eden Prairie or Woodbury, the unique geography and regulations of the Twin Cities require a specific approach.

At Good Stuff Moving, we have helped thousands of families navigate successful home transitions across Minnesota since 1999. We know that a smooth move isn’t just about heavy lifting; it’s about proactive planning, navigating Minneapolis obstruction permits, managing snow emergency rules, and coordinating with local utilities.

Our residential moving services are built around proactive planning, realistic timelines, and hands-on support at every stage. We use this exact framework with our own customers to keep moves organized and stress-free. From early planning to move-in day execution, this guide reflects how we approach every residential relocation in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

Let’s walk through it together.

8 Weeks Before Moving Day: Laying the Groundwork

Focus: Strategic Planning, Budgeting, and Vendor Selection.

Eight weeks out is when smart planning begins—and when experienced residential movers can make the biggest difference. The decisions you make now will determine the cost, efficiency, and stress level of your entire move.

1. Confirm Your Move Date and Book Your Team

The best movers in the Twin Cities often book up weeks in advance, especially during the peak “moving season” (May through September) and at the end of the month.

• Secure Your Spot: Start by confirming your move date and booking your moving company early to secure availability. At Good Stuff Moving, we offer a range of options to fit your budget, from Hourly Moving Labor (loading/unloading your rental truck) to full-service Home Moves. 

• Request an On-Site Estimate: This is the ideal time for us to assess home size, access points, and special items. We look for logistical challenges like narrow stairwells in St. Paul Victorians or freight elevator reservations in downtown Minneapolis condos.

  • Note: If you are planning a Long Distance Move out of Minnesota, booking early is critical to ensure we can allocate a dedicated truck and provide guaranteed delivery dates. Unlike van lines that may mix your items with others or spread delivery windows over weeks, our dedicated service ensures your belongings are the only ones on the truck.

2. Take Inventory and Specialized Assessment

Walk through your home and identify items that will require extra care.

• Specialty Items: Do you have a grand piano, a large gun safe, or valuable antiques? Good Stuff Moving specializes in moving these heavy and delicate items. We use specialized equipment to ensure Pianos and Safes are transported securely without damaging your floors or the item itself. 

• Decluttering: This is the ideal time to declutter so you’re not paying to move things you no longer want. Early organization sets the tone for a smoother, more efficient move.

3. Create a Moving File

Whether digital or physical, create a central location for all moving-related documents:

• Moving estimates and the Bill of Lading.

• Lease agreements or closing documents.

• School transfer records for districts like Minneapolis Public Schools or Saint Paul Public Schools. Note that enrollment centers often require proof of your new address, so keep your closing papers or lease handy.

6 Weeks Out: Sorting, Downsizing, and Logistics

Focus: Inventory Management and Community Resources.

With the move officially on the calendar, six weeks out is about refining your plan and engaging with local resources.

1. The “Keep, Toss, Donate” Strategy

Begin sorting items room by room. Our local residential movers often remind clients that fewer items mean faster loading, easier unpacking, and lower overall costs.

• Sell: Facebook Marketplace and Nextdoor are active in the Twin Cities for selling gently used furniture.

• Donate: Minnesota has incredible resources for rehoming items.

  • Bridging: With locations in Bloomington and Roseville, Bridging accepts furniture and housewares to furnish homes for those in need. They offer a fee-based pickup service (approx. $160) for larger loads. 

  • Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity ReStore: Locations in Minneapolis and New Brighton accept building materials, appliances, and furniture. They offer free pickup for qualifying large donations—check their website to schedule.

  • The Salvation Army: Offers online scheduling for furniture pickup across the metro area.

  • Mattress Disposal: Be aware that you cannot simply throw a mattress in the trash in Minnesota. We can assist with disposal options, or you can check with your city’s recycling coordinator.

2. Secure Parking and Elevator Permits

This is a critical step often overlooked by DIY movers. If you are moving to or from a dense urban area like Uptown, the North Loop, or Grand Avenue, you cannot simply double-park a moving truck.

• Minneapolis Obstruction Permits: If you need to reserve space at a meter or block a traffic lane, you must apply for an Obstruction Permit through the City of Minneapolis. Hooding meters typically costs around $25 per meter per day, plus administrative fees. You must apply in advance to ensure the hoods are placed before moving day. 

• St. Paul Parking: Residential moves in St. Paul often require “No Parking” signs to be posted 24 to 48 hours in advance to reserve curb space. Contact St. Paul Public Works to arrange this. Failure to do so can result in having to park the truck far away, increasing the time and labor cost of your move. 

• Elevator Reservations: If you are in a condo or apartment, confirm the freight elevator reservation now.

3. Finalize Packing Services

If you’re using Good Stuff Moving Packing Services, this is the stage when we finalize packing schedules and material needs. We offer options ranging from “Packing Only” (we pack, you move) to our premium “You Don’t Lift a Finger” service where we pack on Day 1 and move on Day 2. 

4 Weeks Out: Confirm Services and Strategic Packing

Focus: Implementation and Notification.

At the one-month mark, your move should feel structured—not rushed.

1. Strategic Packing

Begin packing non-essential rooms such as storage areas, guest rooms, and seasonal items.

• Labeling: Label boxes clearly by room and priority (e.g., “Master Bed – Open First”). This streamlines unloading and ensures our crew places boxes exactly where you want them.

• Supplies: Good Stuff Moving offers a full range of professional packing supplies, including wardrobe boxes, dish packs, and high-quality tape. You can pick these up at our Maplewood headquarters. 

2. Manage Your Utilities

Coordinate the transfer or disconnection of services. In the Twin Cities, this typically involves:

• Electricity & Gas: Xcel Energy (800-895-4999) covers most electric service in the metro. CenterPoint Energy (612-372-4727) is the primary gas provider. Contact them to schedule a stop/start date.

• Water:

  • Minneapolis: Contact Minneapolis Utility Billing to set up your water, sewer, and recycling account.

  • St. Paul: Contact Saint Paul Regional Water Services at 651-266-6350. 

• Internet/Cable: Providers like Xfinity, CenturyLink/Quantum Fiber, and USI Wireless (Minneapolis specific) require notice to transfer service or install new equipment. 

3. Change of Address

• USPS: File your official change of address online.

• Financial & Medical: Notify banks, credit card companies, and medical providers.

• Subscriptions: Update your address for Amazon, meal delivery kits, and magazines.

2 Weeks Out: Final Preparations and Contingencies

Focus: Essentials and Safety.

Two weeks before moving day, the focus shifts to final coordination and handling the “what-ifs” of Minnesota life.

1. The “Essentials Box”

Our household movers recommend setting aside essentials you’ll need immediately after the move. Pack a suitcase as if you are going on a weekend trip. Include:

• Toiletries and medications.

• Phone chargers and laptops.

• Bed sheets and pillows for the first night.

• Basic cleaning supplies and paper towels.

• Snacks and water.

• Important Documents: Keep passports, birth certificates, and closing papers with you personally, not on the moving truck.

2. Address Minnesota DVS Requirements

If you are moving within Minnesota, you have 30 days to update your driver’s license and vehicle registration. If you are new to the state, you have 60 days. You can pre-apply online at https://onlineservices.dps.mn.gov/ to save time at the office.

3. Plan for Winter Weather (November – April Moves)

If you are moving during the winter, special preparations are necessary.

• Clear Pathways: Ensure your driveway and walkways are shoveled and salted. Our crews need safe footing to carry heavy furniture.

• Snow Emergencies: This is crucial. If a Snow Emergency is declared in Minneapolis or St. Paul, parking rules change dramatically.

  • Minneapolis: Day 1 rules (9 p.m. to 8 a.m.) prohibit parking on Snow Emergency Routes. Day 2 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) bans parking on the even side of non-snow emergency routes. Day 3 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) bans parking on the odd side.

  • St. Paul: Night Plow Routes begin at 9 p.m., and Day Plow Routes begin at 8 a.m. the next day.

  • Action: Check the city websites 24 hours prior to your move if snow is in the forecast. We cannot park a moving truck on an unplowed route or where parking is prohibited by emergency rules.

1 Week Out: Locking in the Details

Goal: Emptying the House.

The final week is about tightening execution—not scrambling.

1. Finish Packing

Finish packing remaining rooms, leaving only daily essentials unpacked.

• Appliances: If you are moving appliances, they should be cleaned, emptied, and disconnected. Defrost freezers at least 24 hours in advance to prevent leaking water from damaging other items.

• Hazardous Items: Dispose of items that movers cannot transport, such as gasoline, propane tanks, and certain chemicals.

2. Confirm with Good Stuff Moving

We will likely contact you to confirm arrival times and details. If you have added significant items to your inventory since the original estimate, let us know now so we can ensure the right truck size and crew count are allocated.

3. Final Walkthrough

Walk through your home and identify items that require special handling instructions. Ensure furniture fits the plan for the new space.

Moving Day: Execution, Communication, and Confidence

Focus: Letting the Pros Work.

Moving day should feel organized, professional, and efficient—and that’s exactly how we approach it.

1. Arrival and Protection

Our local residential movers will arrive on time. We start by protecting your home: laying down floor runners to protect carpets and hardwoods and padding doorways to prevent nicks and scratches.

2. The Loading Process

You generally don’t need to lift a finger. Our team follows a structured loading plan to ensure safe transport.

• Furniture: We pad and shrink-wrap furniture to protect upholstery and wood finishes. We handle disassembly of beds and tables if needed.

• Loading: Items are loaded systematically, with heavy furniture at the base and lighter boxes on top, secured properly in the truck to prevent shifting.

3. Communication

Throughout the day, communication remains clear so you always know what’s happening next. Before the truck leaves, do a final sweep of the house—check closets, cabinets, the attic, and the dishwasher to ensure nothing is left behind.

4. Unloading and Placement

Upon arrival at your new home, items are placed exactly where requested. We reassemble any furniture we took apart, reducing unnecessary lifting or rearranging for you later.

Post-Move: Settling In

Focus: Updates and Recycling.

1. Recycling Moving Boxes

Once you are unpacked, you will have a mountain of cardboard.

• Minneapolis Residents: You can recycle moving boxes at Hennepin County’s drop-off facilities or the South Transfer Station (voucher required).

• Reuse: Consider offering them on Nextdoor or Facebook Marketplace for other neighbors planning a move.

2. Update Your ID

Visit a DVS location to update your license with your new address.

Why This Checklist Reflects How Good Stuff Moving Operates

This checklist isn’t theoretical—it’s how we move families every day. At Good Stuff Moving, our Home Moving Services are built on integrity, dependability, and careful execution.

We believe preparation is the foundation of a successful move, and our team is trained to guide customers through each phase with clarity and confidence. From early planning to final placement, our residential movers take ownership of the process so homeowners don’t have to.

Experience the Good Stuff Moving Difference

• Family Owned & Local: We aren’t a generic franchise. We are a local business with deep roots in the Twin Cities community.

• Transparent Pricing: We provide clear, honest estimates without hidden fees.

• Comprehensive Services: Whether you need Commercial Moving for your business or secure Storage Solutions, we have the resources to handle it.

Move with a Plan, Not Just a Truck A successful move doesn’t start on moving day—it starts weeks before with the right plan and the right people. This residential moving checklist is designed to give homeowners clarity, structure, and peace of mind at every stage.

If you’re preparing for an upcoming move, we’re ready to help you do it the right way.

Contact us today or call us at 651-488-4808.