Moving Checklist
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.
- 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.
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.
- 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.
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.
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.