|
Two months prior to
Moving Day
|
If you will use a
mover, get a few
estimates from
moving 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. 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.
|
| |
|
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.
|
| |
