Two weeks out
Confirm your date in writing and, if you are in a townhome or apartment, tell your HOA or leasing office the date so they can reserve an elevator or confirm moving hours.
Walk each room and set aside what you are not taking. Garages and attics hide the most surprise volume, so sort them early while you still have the patience for it.
One week out
Start boxing rooms you rarely use, like a guest bedroom or a formal dining room, and label each box with the destination room rather than the room it came from, since that is the label that matters on the other end.
Confirm utilities at the new address are being set up, especially electricity, since some Triangle providers take a few business days to activate a plan.
The day before
Pack a first-night box with bedding, towels, chargers, medications, and a change of clothes, and keep it in your own car rather than on the truck. You will want it before anything else gets unpacked.
If kids or pets are in the house, arrange for them to be somewhere else during the move. It is safer for everyone and the day tends to go faster.
On the day itself
Once the crew arrives, your job is mostly to answer questions and point at rooms. Trying to help carry furniture usually slows the crew down and risks an injury nobody needs.
Walk the truck together before it pulls away, and do the same walk-through at the new place before the crew leaves, checking closets and cabinets so nothing gets left behind.
After the truck leaves
Keep the moving inventory and any written estimate somewhere safe for a week or two, in case a question comes up about a specific box or piece of furniture.
Give yourself permission to leave most boxes unopened on day one. Unpacking the first-night box and the kitchen is usually enough for the first evening, and the rest can wait for the weekend.