A successful Houston apartment move starts 6–8 weeks before lease-end: book movers 4 weeks out, switch utilities 2 weeks out, finalize packing 1 week out, and handle parking permits, lease-turnover cleaning, and truck coordination on move day. Same-day moves are possible with KAK but the full timeline prevents most last-minute surprises.

• Sign the new lease. Confirm exact move-in date in writing. Houston landlords typically set turnover for the 1st of the month, but “first available” can be the 15th or 25th.
• Give notice on your current place. Most Texas leases require 30 or 60 days written notice. Check yours — miss the window and you’ll owe another month.
• Start the purge. Every closet, every drawer. Donate to Goodwill on Shepherd, sell on Facebook Marketplace, trash what no one wants. Every pound you don’t move is money and time saved.
• Request time off work. At least half-day move-day, ideally full-day. If you have flexibility, book a weekday — Houston apartment complexes are calmer Monday–Thursday.
• Take photos of your current apartment. Every room, every corner, every appliance, every floor. You’ll need these for deposit disputes later.

• Book your movers. Flat-rate locks your price. Hourly companies will try to get a deposit — read the cancellation policy before paying.
• Order boxes. Home Depot small + medium boxes run $1.50–$3 each. You’ll need 25–40 for a 1-BR. Or use KAK’s pack service — boxes included.
• Start packing the “storage” rooms. Closets, pantry shelves you never touch, books, seasonal clothes. Label by room.
• Arrange pet boarding or backup. Move day is not the day your cat meets new movers. Plan a friend’s place or day care.
• Confirm parking at both ends. Ask both apartment offices what hours the truck can be at the curb. Some Montrose streets restrict commercial vehicles during business hours.

• Pack all non-essentials. Kitchen (except one mug, one plate, one set of utensils per person), living room, bedroom except bedding, office.
• Confirm your movers. Text or call 48 hours before. Get the crew lead’s name and ETA window.
• Empty the freezer. Eat or toss. Nothing survives a move without thawing.
• Separate valuables and documents. Passport, birth certificate, lease, jewelry, medications — all in a bag that rides with you, not the truck.
• Houston-specific: check the forecast. Summer thunderstorms can turn a 3-hour move into a 5-hour one. Have backup tarps if rain is likely.

• Morning (7–9am): Final walk-through of your old place. Photos of every wall and the fridge/stove interior. Strip the bed, throw the last trash bag.
• Crew arrives (8–10am for most slots): Brief walkthrough. Show them fragile items, tight turns, anything special.
• Loading (1.5–2.5 hrs for 1-BR): Stay out of the way but available for questions. Don’t try to help carry — that’s what you’re paying for.
• Drive time: You head to the new place separately. Be there before the crew.
• Unloading (1.5–2 hrs for 1-BR): Direct the crew by room as they unload. “Bedroom box” vs “kitchen box” — labels help.
• Reassembly: Bed frame, dining table, desk. KAK handles this as part of the flat rate.
• Walkthrough & payment: Verify everything’s inside. Sign the bill of lading. Pay the flat rate. Tip the crew in cash.
• Return to old place (if time): Final cleaning, return keys, drop off garage remote. Take timestamped photos of the empty unit.

Don’t have 8 weeks? Here’s the 7-day version.

Need to move in 7 days or less? The timeline collapses but most of it still works:

• Day 1 (now): Book movers. Same-day available if you’re really tight.
• Days 2–3: Purge ruthlessly. Pack storage rooms.
• Days 4–5: Utility transfers. Change of address.
• Day 6: Pack everything except essentials.
• Day 7 (move day): Execute.

See our lease-end moving guide for tight-window tactics.