Two months prior to Moving
Day:
____ If you will use a mover, get a few estimates
from moving companies.
____ If you will move yourself, get costs from at least two
truck rental companies.
____ Create a floor plan of your new home for furniture and
appliance placement. Use
our Home Planner.
____ Make an inventory of your household goods and begin to
remove clutter (start with
the basement, attic, garage, and other storage areas).
____ Start a file for all your moving paperwork (estimates, receipts, etc.).
____ Arrange to transfer school records.
____ Choose a mover (or truck rental company).
____ Get your new home ready - Contact painters, carpenters, plumbers,
roofers, etc.,
so your home is ready when you arrive. Remember to change the
locks on
all the
doors in your new home.
____ Visit Smoothmoves.com for tips on moving with children.
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Six weeks prior to Moving Day:
____ Obtain and fill out post office change-of-address
cards.
____ Subscribe to the paper in your new hometown to learn more about
your new community.
____ Make arrangements for storage if necessary.
____ Ask your doctor or health plan provider for referrals, and obtain all medical
records.
____ Have antiques, pieces of art, and other valuables appraised.
____ Clean all closets and drawers.
____ Start using foods and cleaning supplies that cannot be moved.
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Four weeks prior to Moving Day:
____
Schedule disconnection of all utility services at
your old home, and
connection of them
at your new one.
Be sure to disconnect the day after you leave
and
connect
the day before you arrive. If you have "last
month" deposits
with services,
such as the telephone company, request your refund.
____ If you are moving yourself, reserve a rental truck.
____ If you are packing yourself, obtain packing materials and start packing
items you won't
need until after you arrive at your new house. See our Packing Tips.
____ Arrange for cleaning and repair of furniture, drapes, and carpeting.
____ Arrange for special transportation of your pets and plants if necessary.
____ Check with your insurance company to see how your possessions are
covered during transit.
____ Make any travel plans necessary for your move.
____ Check to see if you need any moving permits.
____ Plan your moving sale. Remember to check with local authorities about
restrictions.
____ Collect your important records -- Gather personal and family records,
including medical
and dental, veterinary and school records; legal and financial documents;
birth certificates, passports
and insurance documents.
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Three
weeks prior to Moving Day:
____ Properly dispose of items that cannot be moved,
such as flammable liquids.
____ Prepare auto registration for transfer (if moving to another state).
____ If you are moving in or out of an apartment, arrange for use of the
elevator.
____ Make child-care arrangements for moving day.
____ Hold your moving sale.
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Two weeks prior to Moving Day:
____ Arrange for disposal of anything not sold
at your moving sale.
____ Service your car in preparation for the move. If you're moving from
a warm climate to a cold one, check
your antifreeze.
____ Return any borrowed items (including library books) and retrieve
any loaned items.
____ Cancel newspaper delivery.
____ Notify any creditors of your move.
____ Transfer prescriptions and be sure you have an adequate supply of medications on hand.
____ Assemble a file folder of information to leave for the new owner of
your home.
____ Change your address - One week before your move, send change-of-address
cards to everyone who will need to
contact you.
____ Pick up laundry - Laundry tickets are easy to misplace, so ask
for your things by name and not just
by the receipts you have.
____ Pack a travel kit: Put
aside critical items like a checkbook, credit cards, personal phone book,
ID, flashlight, keys, toiletries,
tools, paper plates, cups, towels, travel
alarm clock, aspirin, bandages and games for the kids. Also, pack a suitcase
with clothing and other personal items.
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One day prior to Moving Day:
____ Transfer your bank accounts.
____ Take animals to vet for immunization, if necessary.
____ Close and empty your safe-deposit box.
____ Settle any bills with local businesses.
____ Drain power equipment of oil and gas. Drain water hoses.
____ Find new homes for plants that will not be moved.
____ Confirm any travel reservations.
____ Drain your waterbed.
____ Defrost refrigerator and freezer, propping doors open.
____ Let movers pack your belongings (unless it's a do-it-yourself move).
____ Disconnect and prepare major appliances for move.
____ Set aside anything that will travel in your car so it will not be loaded on the truck.
____ Pack a box of items that will be needed first at the new house. Clearly
mark this box "Load Last."
____ Obtain cash or traveler's checks for the trip and to pay the movers.
____ Confirm arrival time of your moving van/truck.
____ If moving yourself, dismantle beds and other large furniture.
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Moving Day:
____ If using a mover, be sure someone is at the
old house to answer questions.
____ Note all utility meter readings.
____ Read your bill of lading and inventory carefully before signing.
Keep this paperwork in a safe place.
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Delivery
Day - Again, be on hand to answer any questions:
____
Check your belongings carefully and note on the inventory paperwork any damaged items.
____ On an interstate move, be prepared to pay the driver before your possessions are unloaded.
____ Supervise unloading and unpacking.
____ Be prepared to pay your mover with cash, certified check, or traveler's
checks unless other arrangements
have been made in advance.
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