Most moving checklists are written for some generic city. Houston has its own headaches, the utility shuffle, the toll tags, and a metro so big that crossing it counts as a road trip. Here is a timeline that actually fits this town.
4-6 Weeks Before Your Move
Set Your Moving Date and Get Quotes
Houston is one of the most moved-to cities in the country, so crews get booked solid from May through September. In those months, line up your quote at least six weeks out if you want your pick of dates.
Review Your Lease or HOA Requirements
If you are in a master-planned community out in Katy, Sugar Land, or The Woodlands, the HOA almost certainly wants advance notice, and a gated neighborhood needs your crew on the guest list 48 to 72 hours ahead.
2-3 Weeks Before Your Move
Houston Utility Transfer Checklist
| Utility | Provider | Lead Time | How to Transfer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | Your choice (deregulated) | 3-5 days | powertochoose.org |
| Natural Gas | CenterPoint Energy | 5 business days | Phone or online |
| Water | City of Houston or MUD | 3-5 days | Varies by district |
| Internet | Comcast / AT&T / Tachus | 7-10 days | Check coverage first |
| Trash/Recycling | City of Houston (auto) | Automatic with water | N/A |
Handle Your EZ TAG
If your commute touches Beltway 8, the Hardy, or the Westpark Tollway, update your EZ TAG at hctra.org. New in town? Order one before you arrive, because driving the tollways without a tag means paying roughly double.
Forward Your Mail
File your change of address with USPS at least 10 days out. The online form runs $1.10 for identity verification, which is worth it to keep your mail from chasing you across the metro.
1 Week Before Your Move
Final Week Checklist
- Lock the date, the arrival window, and any special notes with your movers
- Pass the crew your elevator slot, gate codes, and any parking limits
- Pack a moving-day essentials box (see below)
- Sort out where the truck parks on tight streets (the Heights, Montrose, EaDo)
- Give the neighbors a heads-up if the truck will block a shared drive
Houston-Specific Essentials Box
- A portable fan or personal AC if you are moving May through September
- A cooler of water and Gatorade for the crew
- Sunscreen
- Your EZ TAG, handy if you are hopping between places on the tollways
- Papers, meds, and valuables ride with you, never on the truck
After You Move
Post-Move Administrative Tasks
| Task | Deadline | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Update driver’s license address | 30 days | Texas DPS online | Out-of-state: 90 days for TX license |
| Update vehicle registration | 30 days (county change) | County tax office | Wallisville Rd office has shorter lines |
| Register to vote | 30 days before election | TX Secretary of State online | Required if you changed counties |
| Update insurance policies | ASAP | Your provider | Auto + renters/homeowners |
| Update bank/financial addresses | ASAP | Online banking | Checks, statements, tax documents |
The DPS offices, Gessner and Spring especially, can run two-hour-plus waits if you just walk in. Grab an appointment at txdps.state.tx.us first and save yourself the lawn-chair afternoon.