Most moving mistakes in Garland happen not on move day but in the weeks before it — the wrong mover booked too late, utilities disconnected before the move is done, a lease overlap that cost an extra month’s rent, or a school enrollment missed that delayed the kids starting at their new campus. This checklist is designed around the specific services and timelines that affect Garland residents.

8 Weeks Out — Research and Book

Book Your Mover

• Get at least 3 written quotes from licensed Garland movers. Written means written — a verbal estimate is not a quote.
• Verify USDOT and TxDMV for every mover you’re seriously considering. USDOT verification: fmcsa.dot.gov. TxDMV verification: txdmv.gov. Our credentials: USDOT #3918729 · TxDMV #009567347C.
• Book your preferred mover with written confirmation. For August 1–15 moves, 8 weeks ahead is not too early.
• If you’re in a Firewheel-area apartment or Allen Watters Creek: book the elevator window simultaneously. These fill before movers do.

Know Your Timeline Constraints

6 Weeks Out — Notify and Declutter

Notifications

• Employer HR department — for W-2 address and payroll records
• Bank and credit cards — update billing address before statements generate with the old address
• Insurance providers — auto, home/renters, life. Moving may affect your rates (especially auto if you’re changing zip codes within Garland)
• USPS mail forwarding — submit at usps.com, not third-party sites. Cost: $1.10 identity verification fee. Takes 3–5 business days to activate. Start it 2 weeks before move day, not after.
• Texas DPS / Driver’s License — update your address within 30 days of moving at dps.texas.gov. You don’t need a new physical license but the record must be updated.
• Voter registration — update at Texas.gov if you’re moving to a different precinct within Garland

Declutter

Everything you don’t move is money saved at $135/hr. A room of items that takes 30 minutes to load = $67.50 saved if that room was already donated or trashed before move day. Ruthlessly evaluate every room 6 weeks out and schedule a donation pickup or junk removal for what’s not going.

4 Weeks Out — Utilities and Services

See the full Garland TX Utility Transfer Guide below for provider-specific contact details. At 4 weeks out, schedule:

• Electricity: Garland is in Oncor’s delivery territory. You choose your retail provider. Set up new service at your destination address 4 weeks ahead — don’t wait until move week. Use PowerToChoose.org to compare Garland-area rates.
• Natural gas: Atmos Energy serves most of Garland. Call 888-286-6700 to transfer service. Schedule the connection for 1 day before your move-in date.
• Water / sewer: City of Garland Utilities: 972-205-2671. Schedule at least 3 business days ahead.
• Internet: AT&T Fiber, Spectrum, and others serve Garland. Internet installation is often the longest lead-time item — schedule 3–4 weeks ahead if possible. If you work from home, this is the most critical utility timeline.
• Renters or homeowners insurance: Update effective date to your move-in date. Don’t leave a gap between old and new address coverage.

2 Weeks Out — Pack and Confirm

Start Packing Non-Essentials

• Out-of-season clothing and shoes
• Books, DVDs, games, decorative items
• Extra kitchen items (duplicate tools, rarely used appliances)
• Garage and storage items
• Guest room contents

Confirm Everything

• Confirm your mover booking in writing — call or email for written confirmation if you don’t have it already
• If your Garland apartment requires a COI, confirm the mover has sent it and the property management has accepted it
• If you need an elevator window, confirm the reservation with building management
• Confirm utility activation dates at the new address
• If you’re moving kids to a new Garland ISD school, begin the enrollment process now (see school enrollment guide below)

1 Week Out — Final Prep

• Pack everything except daily essentials — kitchen to just enough for the week, bathroom to just daily items, bedroom to just current-season clothes
• Label every box clearly: destination room + general contents. “Kitchen — baking” is better than “Kitchen.” Color-coded tape by room is faster than written labels for the crew
• Disassemble furniture you can do yourself — IKEA bed frames, basic desks, shelving units. What you disassemble the night before is free. What the crew disassembles is at $135/hr
• Defrost freezer — 24 hours before the move. Wipe dry before loading. Refrigerators with water lines: disconnect and drain the line
• Confirm parking — make sure the truck will have clear access at both addresses. If your Garland neighborhood has street parking restrictions, check them
• Pack an “open first” box — toilet paper, paper towels, one set of dishes, charging cables, medications, coffee maker, a change of clothes. Load it last so it comes off first

Moving Day — What to Have Ready When the Crew Arrives

• Every box packed, sealed, and labeled
• Furniture cleared of items (drawers emptied from large dressers, bookshelves bare)
• Clear walkways from every room to the front door
• Specialty items accessible and disclosed (gun safe, piano, treadmill, large aquarium)
• Destination address confirmed with exact parking instructions
• Someone present at both origin and destination
• Payment method ready — we accept all major payment methods

After the Move — First 2 Weeks in Garland

• Confirm all utilities are live — electricity, gas, water, internet. Call providers same day if anything isn’t working
• Update your Texas driver’s license address — required within 30 days of moving. dps.texas.gov. Free address update online.
• Update your vehicle registration address — required within 30 days. txdmv.gov or your county tax office.
• Confirm USPS mail forwarding is active — send a test letter to your old address and confirm it forwards
• Register to vote at new address — if you moved to a different precinct. Register at vote.org or your county clerk’s office.
• Kids enrolled in Garland ISD — see school enrollment guide below

Garland TX Utility Transfer Guide

Garland ISD — School Enrollment Guide

Garland ISD serves most Garland addresses. If you’re moving from outside Garland ISD or to a different attendance zone within the district, here’s the enrollment process:

• Confirm your attendance zone: garlandisd.net/schools/attendance-zones. Enter your new Garland address to confirm which campus serves it. Don’t assume based on zip code — boundary lines don’t follow zips.
• Online enrollment: garlandisd.net. Create a parent account, begin the enrollment application. You’ll need proof of address (lease agreement or utility bill with new Garland address), immunization records, and previous school records / transcript.
• Documents required: Proof of residency (lease or deed) · Child’s birth certificate · Immunization records · Previous school records · Parent/guardian photo ID
• Contact: Garland ISD Student Services · 972-494-8201 · garlandisd.net

FAQ — Moving in Garland TX

What is the cheapest time to move in Garland TX?

Mid-week (Tuesday–Thursday) and mid-month (8th–22nd) have the best mover availability and scheduling flexibility. Moving Company Guys doesn’t charge more on weekends or evenings — our rate is flat Monday through Sunday. “Cheapest” in Garland really means least competition for booking slots.

How do I forward my mail when moving in Garland TX?

Submit a change of address at usps.com. Cost is $1.10 for identity verification. Processing takes 3–5 business days. Submit it 2 weeks before your move date, not after. Third-party mail forwarding sites charge much more for the same service — use usps.com directly.

Do I need to notify the City of Garland when I move?

You’ll need to transfer water service (City of Garland Utilities: 972-205-2671) and trash service (City of Garland Sanitation: 972-205-2650). You don’t need to notify the city separately beyond utility transfers unless you run a home-based business with a city license.

How do I update my Texas driver’s license for my Garland move?

Texas law requires updating your address within 30 days of moving. You can update online at dps.texas.gov at no charge — you don’t receive a new physical license, but the record is updated. Keep the confirmation for your records.