List it. Photograph it. Plan the move.
San Diego Moving Inventory Checklist
What to list and photograph before getting a quote.
A useful moving inventory lists the furniture, estimated boxes, packing help, special items, and destinations that make up your move. Pair that list with clear photographs of your belongings and the route between each property and the truck. Our San Diego movers can use those details to review the work before preparing your moving plan.
What should a moving inventory include?
List large items individually, group ordinary packed contents by room and carton type, and identify anything still needing packing. Record quantities, unusual dimensions, destination groups and access at every stop. Add photographs to explain belongings and tight spaces that a written list may miss.
Build your moving inventory
Start with furniture and grouped boxes, then add packing, destinations and access notes. Blank item lines are left out of your summary. You can also print an empty worksheet to complete by hand.
You control this list. Entries are not submitted to Vector. Copy the summary into your quote request or share it with your coordinator. Saving on this browser is optional.
Use one line per furniture type or carton category. For boxes still being packed, mark the quantity as an estimate in Notes. Identify any belongings you will carry yourself.
These are planning counts across different item types. They do not calculate truck space, crew size, moving time or price.
This is a customer planning list. It does not replace your written estimate, moving agreement or the official shipment inventory and condition records used for your move.
Build your inventory room by room
Work through one room at a time, then check the garage, patio, closets, and any separate storage. You do not need to describe every spoon. You do need to show the belongings and conditions that a bedroom count alone leaves out.
Start with the pickup property. Give each space a clear name, such as “Main bedroom,” “Garage,” or “Storage unit.” Use the same names on your worksheet, photographs, and boxes so the moving coordinator can connect them.
- List the furniture. Record each bed, sofa, table, dresser, desk, shelving unit, appliance, and other large piece. Include quantities: a dining table with six chairs is more useful than “dining set.”
- Add the smaller contents. Estimate cartons for books, kitchenware, clothing, décor, and other loose belongings. Mark unboxed contents that will need packing.
- Identify preparation. Note pieces that may need disassembly, fragile components, removable shelves, or unusual handling. Let the office confirm what work can be arranged.
- Assign a destination. Mark the new home, storage, an additional address, or “not moving.” Separate items you will carry yourself.
- Check the route. Record stairs, elevators, walking distance, gates, and loading restrictions at both properties.
For a furnished room, include both the large pieces and their contents. “Home office” could mean one desk and a laptop, or multiple cabinets of books and records. That difference matters when reviewing the shipment.
Check the spaces people forget
- Closets, cabinets, under-bed storage, and linen cupboards.
- Garage shelving, tools, bicycles, and exercise equipment.
- Patio furniture, planters, outdoor storage, and sheds.
- Wall mirrors, artwork, rugs, and lamps.
- Items at a storage unit, family member’s home, or another pickup address.
Ask about any item that may need special approval or another provider. Listing it is the first step; it does not confirm that it can be transported.
Estimate boxes and describe the packing help
If you are still packing, enter an estimate and label it as an estimate. Update it as cartons are filled. Distinguish small, medium, large, wardrobe, and specialty cartons where you can. A large carton of bedding and a small carton of books create different handling needs.
Record one packing choice for each area:
- Customer packed: you will have the contents packed before the agreed moving time.
- Partial packing: identify the exact rooms or items needing help, such as kitchen glassware, books, or artwork.
- Full packing: show the contents of all rooms, closets, and storage spaces so the scope can be reviewed.
A photograph of a closed cabinet does not show what needs packing. Include its contents when safe and appropriate. For help defining the service, review Vector’s San Diego packing services.
Take photographs that explain the move
Begin with a wide photograph from each room’s entrance, then another angle if furniture or cartons are hidden. Keep the original photographs available and group them by room. Add close-ups only when they reveal something important.
Show the belongings
- Large furniture from an angle that shows its size and shape.
- Bookshelves, closets, kitchen contents, and unpacked storage areas.
- Fragile surfaces, glass sections, loose components, or existing damage.
- Item labels or model details when they help identify unusual equipment.
Show the carrying route
Photograph the likely loading location, entrance, stairs, landings, elevator doorway, and tight hallway turns. In a San Diego apartment or condo building, include the approved loading entrance rather than only the lobby. A parking space shown in a photograph still needs to be lawful and available for the move.
Measure unusually large pieces and tight openings in inches: width, height, and depth for furniture; clear opening dimensions for doors and elevators. Include units and explain which measurement belongs to which item. Measurements support assessment; they do not guarantee that a piece will fit.
For building questions, use our San Diego parking and building-access guide.
A simple video-walkthrough sequence
Move slowly through each room, say its name, and identify what is moving. Open relevant closets or cabinets, point out excluded belongings, and explain any packing help. Then show the path to the loading area. Keep your narration specific: “This cabinet goes to storage; these two shelves stay.” Follow the office’s instructions for sending the video.
Photo checklist
Tick each view as you take it. Send the photographs separately through your coordinator’s agreed method.
What a useful inventory entry looks like
This is a hypothetical planning example, not a completed Vector project or an estimate.
| Item | Quantity | Preparation or notes | Destination |
|---|---|---|---|
| Three-seat sofa | 1 | Dimensions supplied; photograph attached | New home |
| Book cartons | 6 estimated | Customer packing; count to be updated | New home |
| Framed wall mirror | 1 | Packing help requested; size supplied | Storage |
Keep the address and access notes with the inventory: for example, the floor, elevator reservation requirement, and approved truck entrance. Send gate codes and other private access information directly to your coordinator.
Separate storage, extra stops, and special items
Label which belongings go directly to the new home and which go into storage. If an extra stop is involved, list its items separately and provide its address and access conditions. Do not leave the crew to sort destinations from memory on moving day.
Flag safes, pianos, stone furniture, oversized glass, antiques, adjustable beds, and exercise equipment before the plan is confirmed. Provide photographs, dimensions, known weights, and model information where available. The office may need more information, special preparation, or a different handling arrangement.
Your inventory helps inform the review of crew and truck needs. It also supplies details discussed in our San Diego moving-cost guide; it does not calculate a final price by itself.
For pickup, warehouse storage and later delivery, review our San Diego moving and storage services and discuss the items assigned to each destination.
Update the list before moving day
Tell the office when furniture is added or sold, the carton estimate changes substantially, packing remains unfinished, an extra stop is needed, or property access changes. Send the updated list before pickup so the office can review the service plan and any necessary documentation.
Keep a dated copy for your own reference. This customer planning worksheet does not replace the written estimate, moving agreement, or any official shipment inventory and condition records used for the move. Review the agreed documents and keep copies. Our moving-day guide explains the next steps.
Moving inventory questions
Do I need to list every small item?
Group ordinary packed contents by room and carton count. List furniture, large loose items, fragile pieces, and unusual belongings separately. Show unpacked contents when packing help is requested.
Can I get a moving quote from photographs?
Photographs can help the office review the shipment. An estimate may also need a written list, measurements, access details, a video walkthrough, or an in-person survey. The coordinator will confirm what is needed.
What if I do not know the final number of boxes?
Use a clearly labeled estimate by room, show the contents still unpacked, and update the office as packing progresses. Do not present an early guess as a finished inventory.
Should I include belongings I will move myself?
Identify them as “customer carry” or “not moving with the crew” so they can be kept separate. Tell the office if that decision changes before pickup.
Do I need access photographs at both addresses?
Yes, when available. Pickup and delivery can involve different stairs, elevators, parking, and carrying distances. If you cannot visit the destination, request details from its manager or another authorized contact.
Does this worksheet replace the mover’s inventory?
No. It organizes your planning information. Keep it alongside the estimate and agreement, and follow the mover’s instructions for any official inventory and condition records.
Turn your list into a moving plan
Bring your inventory, photographs, preferred date and both properties’ access details to Vector. Our San Diego team can review the services, packing, transportation and any storage your move may need.
Prefer to talk? 844-468-6683 · Share your worksheet through the agreed contact method; it is not attached automatically.
