Moving Checklist

moving-tips

Two months prior to Moving Day

Get Estimates from moving companies or 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 if applicable.
Join local online groups to get a head start with learning the area in your new hometown.
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.

Obtain and fill out post office change-of-address cards or fill out online at usps.com.
Make arrangements for storage if necessary.
Ask your doctor or health plan provider for referrals, and obtain all medical records including dental.
Have antiques, pieces of art, and other valuables appraised.
Clean all closets and drawers.
Start using the food in your pantry and refrigerator so there is not that much to move, or that cannot be moved because it is perishable

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 MY Packing Tips.
Arrange for cleaning and repair of furniture, drapes, and carpeting.
Arrange for special transportation of your pets, motorcycles 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.
Plan your moving sale. Remember to check with local authorities about restrictions.
Collect your important records — Gather personal and family records, legal and financial documents; birth certificates, passports and insurance documents.

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.
Take animals to vet for immunization, if necessary.
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.

Transfer your bank accounts.
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.
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.

– 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.