Six Weeks Before Moving Day

Moving Company

Get several written estimates from moving companies. Inquire about any extra harges for moving to or from two story buildings or extra charges for moving to or from sites with limited access (such as attics, basements, etc.)

Inform the moving company about items that will require special handling (pianos, large paintings, artwork, extra heavy items, etc.)

Request full coverage insurance for your belongings

Inquire about the moving company’s policy for damage or loss claims

Ask about their customer service/satisfaction policy. Get it in writing.

Check moving company references

Check for complaints with your local Better Business Bureau

Obtain a copy of "Your Mover’s Rights and Responsibilities"

Make sure any special arrangements are written in your contract

Get quotes on boxes and packing supplies

Decide what you will pack yourself (a savings of between 15 and 35%)

Packing Tips

Prepare a room-by-room inventory list of all items to be included in the move

Create a packing list:

1) Items you will handle yourself

2) Load Last

3) Load First and fragile categories

Donate or discard unused or unnecessary items. Ask for signed receipts for donated items.

If possible, get a copy of the floor plan of your new residence

Put your houseplants up for adoption

Start using but do not replace frozen foods. Use up other perishables.

Preparing for a New Neighborhood

Check driver’s license requirements for your new location

Ask for referrals for new physicians and dentists. Check your insurance listings. Arrange for transfer of medical records

Obtain your pet’s veterinarian records

Check pet regulations (vaccinations, licenses and identification tags) in your new location

Familiarize yourself with your new location. Contact the Chamber of Commerce and request a newcomer’s package

Ask your tax advisor about the possibility of deducting some of your moving expense

Inform your children’s current school of transfer and arrange for enrollment in new schools


Four Weeks to Moving Day

Preparing for a New Neighborhood

Inform your insurance agent (life, health, hazard and automobile) about your transfer. Ask if your move is covered under any of your insurance policies.

Set aside items you plan to move in yourself (jewelry, antiques, important documents, etc.). Mark these special boxes "Don’t Load"

Send change of address & move date notices to:

  • Family& friends

  • Magazine subscriptions

  • Credit card companies

  • IRS (change of address form 8822)

  • US Postal Service’s official change of address form

  • Stockbroker

  • Place of worship

Cancel newspaper, lawn service and other home delivery services

Refill prescriptions. Arrange for prescriptions to be transferred to your new pharmacy

Research new banks. Inquire about newcomer services. Note: New accounts
can be opened by mail.

Obtain items from safety deposit boxes

Make hotel reservations in your new location, if needed

Collect items in public storage

Return borrowed items. Obtain items loaned to others

Resign from clubs or organizations in which you are a member

Map out the location of your furniture, bed, dressers, hutches, electronic
equipment, rugs, lawn equipment, etc. in your new home.

Plan your travel route if you are driving yourself to your new home

Packing Tips

Obtain boxes and packing supplies. Keep in mind that movers are usually not responsible for items that they do not pack (unless the box shows obvious signs of damage during the move).

Begin packing:

  • Pack a maximum of 50 pounds per box

  • Mark boxes with their loading order, destination, contents, and denote which boxes are fragile

Back up your computer’s hard drive


Two Weeks to Moving Day

Preparations

Utilities:

  • Notify current utility companies of the date you need services terminated.

  • Discontinue your current phone service the day after your move

  • Turn on new utilities at least a day before you arrive at your new home

  • Arrange for your utility companies to send your deposits to your new address

  • Arrange for telephone service to be available at least a day before you arrive at your new residence

Finance:

  • Obtain a cashier’s check to pay the movers

  • Obtain travelers checks to cover expenses during the move

  • Close your current bank accounts and activate your new banking services. Transfer funds if necessary

Services:

  • Obtain items from dry cleaners

  • Cancel laundry service

Contact an attorney regarding city, county and state laws, local taxes, wills, investments, possible impact fees for new residents, ordinances regarding home-based businesses, regulations regarding automobiles, boats etc.

Designate a friend or relative to act as a messenger during your move. Inform this person of your travel route and estimated time of arrival.

Prepare lawn equipment (empty gas, secure loose or movable parts, etc)

Dispose of any gasoline, oil, unused antifreeze, paint thinner, paint, varnishes, pool chemicals and cleaning fluids. Contact your local Environmental Protection Agency for information regarding the safe disposal chemicals.

Prepare your appliances and electronic equipment for moving

Clean rugs and window treatments to be moved. Instruct cleaner to use extra wrap or packaging

Set aside a basic toolkit for items that for the move that includes duct tape, utility knife, hammer, flashlight, rope, twine, tape measure, markers, screw drivers, pliers, wrenches, gloves, plastic wire straps, plastic bags, and first aid items

Recruit friends and neighbors to help on moving day

Arrange for a baby sitter for moving day


One Week To Moving Day

Preparations

Cancel cable and telephone service. Return your cable box

Make arrangements to transport your pets

Register your children in school

Make a To-Do list of the things you must do the first couple of weeks in your new home

Register to vote in your new location

Select a new accountant

Select a new place of worship

File for homestead exemption, if applicable

Travel

If you are traveling a distance to your new home, have your auto mechanically checked and prepped

Set aside toys, coloring books, crayons, stuffed animals and games to occupy your children during the move


The Day Before Moving Day

Defrost and clean your refrigerator/freezer. Place baking soda in refrigerator/freezer.

Check inventory list one last time

Gas up your automobile; check air pressure

Make a "personal items" box with items that will be needed for moving day, the trip and the day you arrive at your destination (medicine, toiletries, maps, paper towels, change of clothes, telephone directory, snacks, maps, bedding etc.).


Moving Day

Be available to go over inventory with driver and point out fragile items to the movers

Go over your moving contract and directions to your new home with movers

Make sure the delivery address is correct.

Inform driver of how you can be reached during the move

If you were leasing your old residence, thoroughly clean or make
arrangements to clean the residence

After all your belongings are loaded and you are absolutely, positively
certain that you have not forgotten anything, thoroughly check your entire house one more time.

Be sure your old home is locked and secured.


Arrival Day

Make sure someone will be available to direct the movers and inspect your belongings.

If possible, plan to arrive at your new home before the moving truck arrives. Walk through new residence with your floor plan/furniture layout and make necessary changes.

Check to see if utilities have been turned on.

Carefully examine all of your items before you sign the mover’s receipt.

Arrange for post-move maintenance and installation of your appliances.