Guide
The Moving-Day Punch List for Peninsula Apartments and Homes
Between Caltrain-adjacent apartments and single-family homes changing hands, moving day on the Peninsula generates the same short list of jobs — and booking them together saves a lot.
Move-in: the first weekend
Furniture assembly, TV mounting, curtain rods, shelves, and mirrors are the usual list. Add smart lock and doorbell setup and, with kids, furniture anchoring and stair gates. A typical two-bedroom move-in fits into three to four hours in one visit.
Move-out: before the walkthrough
Nail holes and dents patched and textured, touch-up paint matched to the existing color, hardware tightened, and anything you mounted removed and repaired. Landlords in San Francisco and around the Peninsula transit corridors are strict about walls, so this is the visit that protects the deposit.
Why one visit beats three
Setup, travel, and parking happen once. A list sent ahead — by text or photo — means the right parts are on the truck and the time estimate is accurate.
What can't be done on moving day
Anything needing a permit, building elevator reservations not booked in advance, and jobs that need a drying day (large patches, two-coat repaints) are scheduled around the move instead.
Questions people ask
Can move-in and move-out jobs be combined?
Yes, and it's the most efficient way to do it. Most mixed lists fit in a single two- to four-hour visit.
Will patches match my wall color?
A close match is possible from a sample or the original color code. Flat and matte finishes blend best.
How far ahead should I book?
A week is ideal around the first and last of the month, when moving-day demand peaks along the corridor.