Moving Inventory List: A Practical Room-by-Room Guide

Why you need a moving inventory

• A more accurate quote: with a clear list and photos we choose the right truck and crew size the first time, so there are no surprises on moving day.
• Checking on arrival: you know quickly whether everything arrived, rather than discovering a missing box a week later.
• Storage: if part of your furniture goes into storage, the list is the only way to know where everything is. See furniture storage.
• Intercity moves: the longer the distance, the more it matters to know exactly what's on the truck, as with intercity moves across Saudi Arabia.

How to write it room by room

Start with the least-used rooms (storeroom, guest room, majlis) and finish with the kitchen and bedrooms. For each room note three things:

1. Large items: bed, wardrobe (number of doors), sofas (number of seats), tables, appliances.
2. What needs dismantling: beds, wardrobes and large tables; this sets the carpenter's time.
3. Expected boxes: a rough estimate is fine at first; update it after packing.

A simple inventory template

This is only an example; write what is actually in your home, and treat the notes column as the most important one.

Numbering boxes the easy way

Write a running number plus the room on each box, such as "12 – Kitchen", and log it: "Box 12: everyday plates and cups". Write on two sides, not just the lid, because boxes are stacked. Mark boxes with breakables clearly as "GLASS". For kitchen packing specifically, see kitchen packing and moving.

Paper or phone?

You don't need special software. A phone note or a simple spreadsheet is enough, and you can send it straight on WhatsApp with photos. Still, print a copy or keep it easy to open on moving day, because your phone will be busy with calls. If several family members are packing, share one list so the same number never ends up on two boxes. In big households, give each room a coloured tape plus the number so the crew knows where a box goes at a glance.

Photograph before packing

Photograph valuable or delicate items before they're wrapped: luxury furniture, antiques, TVs and glass tables. Photos record each item's condition before the move and help us choose the right packing. For special pieces, see luxury furniture and antique movers.

On arrival: check the list

At the new home, ask for boxes to be placed in rooms according to their labels, then run through the numbers before the crew leaves. If you notice anything, tell us the same day with a photo. For a complete pre-move list, see the moving preparation checklist.