|
MOVING CHECKLIST
Moving, whether across town or across the country, is a
huge and often overwhelming ordeal that involves much more
than just packing. To help make your move less chaotic and
more manageable, use the following checklists:
Printer Friendly Version
Get practical tips
and advice on packing for your move>>
Eight Weeks Before
- Remove unnecessary items from your attic, basement, storage
shed, etc.
- Use things you can't move, such as frozen foods and cleaning
supplies.
- Obtain information about your new community.
- Secure a floor plan of your new residence and decide what
household items you want to keep.
- Start a possessions inventory.
- Solicit estimates from at least three moving companies.
- Call your homeowners insurance agent to find out to what
degree your move is covered.
- Create a file for documenting all moving papers and receipts.
- Arrange to transfer your children's school records.
Back to top
Six Weeks Before
- Contact the IRS and/or your CPA for tax-deductible information.
- Evaluate your possessions inventory. Can you donate anything?
Do you need it all?
- Notify your friends, relatives, professionals, creditors,
subscriptions, etc.
- Subscribe to a local paper in your new community and familiarize
yourself with local government, community, and social news
and activities.
- Begin the off-site storage process (if applicable).
- Locate high-quality health-care professionals and hospitals
in your new location.
- Complete a change of address via post-office cards or
an online service for the following:
- Banks
- Charge cards
- Religious organizations
- Doctors/dentist
- Relatives and friends
- Income tax bureau/Social Security Administration/union
- Insurance broker/lawyer/CPA/ stockbroker
- Magazines
- Post office
- Schools
- Clean your closets.
- Hold a moving/garage sale or donate items to charities.
- Choose a mover.
- Contact your mover to make arrangements and inquire about
insurance coverage.
- If relocating due to a job, contact your employer to see
what costs, if any, they will cover.
Back to top
Four Weeks Before
- Start packing!
- Send furniture, drapes and carpets for repair/cleaning
as needed.
- Gather auto licensing and registration documents, medical,
dental and school records, birth certificates, wills, deeds,
stock and other financial documentation, etc.
- Go to HomeSetUpExpress and contact gas, electric, oil,
water, telephone, cable TV, and trash collection companies
for service disconnect/connect at your old and new addresses.
Also ask for final readings.
- Request refunds on unused homeowner's insurance, security
deposit with landlord, and prepaid cable service.
- Notify your gardener, snow removal service, and pool service
(if applicable).
- Contact insurance companies (auto, homeowner's, medical,
and life) to arrange for coverage in your new home.
Back to top
Three Weeks Before
- Make your travel plans.
- Arrange to close current bank accounts and open accounts
in your new locale (if necessary).
- Notify your state's Motor Vehicle Bureau of your new address.
- Arrange for childcare on moving day.
- NOTE: For apartment dwellers, reserve the elevator for
pickup and/or delivery dates.
Back to top
Two Weeks Before
- Arrange special transport for your pets and plants.
- Service your car for the trip.
- Contact your moving company and review arrangements for
your move.
Back to top
One Week Before
- Prepare detailed directions and an itinerary with emergency
numbers for your moving company.
- Settle outstanding bills with local retailers. Pick up
dry cleaning, and return library books and rented videotapes.
- Take pets to the veterinarian and get copies of their
records.
- Drain gas and oil from power equipment.
- Give away plants not being moved.
- Cancel newspaper delivery.
- Buy two-weeks worth of medication and have your prescriptions
forwarded to your new pharmacy.
- Buy traveler's checks.
- Make arrangements to pay for your move.
Back to top
Two-to-Three Days Before
- If you're not doing it yourself, have your mover pack.
- Defrost refrigerators and freezers.
- Consider gathering all valuables and giving them to family
or friends to hold until the move is completed.
- Disconnect all major appliances.
- Contact your moving company for any updates.
- Pack first-night items and a survival kit. Keep them in
separate boxes in your car.
- First Night Items: Sheets, Towels, Toiletries, Phone,
Alarm Clock, Change of Clothes, and Flashlight
Mover's Survival Kit: Scissors,
utility knife, coffee cups, instant coffee/tea or a coffee
maker, water and soft drinks, snacks, paper plates, plastic
utensils, paper towels, toilet paper, soap, pencils and paper,
local phone book, masking and/or duct tape, trash bags, shelf
liner, and aspirin or ibuprofen.
Back to top
Moving Day
- Be home to answer any questions your mover may have.
- Record all utility meter readings (gas, electric, and
water).
- Stay until your movers are finished.
- Complete information on the bill of lading and carefully
read the document and the inventory sheet before signing
it.
- Keep your copies of the bill of lading and inventory until
your possessions are delivered, the charges are paid, and
any claims are settled.
- Take one final look around to see if you forgot anything.
- Give movers the directions to your new home, and an emergency
number where you can be reached during the move.
Back to top
At Destination
- Unpack first-night items and mover's survival kit.
- Be at the destination to welcome the movers and be on
hand to answer any questions.
- After the job is completed, pay what is owed. The driver
is obligated by law (a
- Federal requirement for interstate moves) to collect payment
upon delivery.
- Scrutinize the unloading of your items and account for
each one on your inventory sheet. Check promptly and carefully
for any damaged or missing items.
- Place moving and other important documents in a safe place.
- Go to the post office and collect held mail.
- Get practical tips and advice on packing for your move...
Back to top
|
