Moving Check List

Two Months Before:

• Decide on your date to move and mark it on the calendar.

• Sort through your possessions and purge unwanted items. Go through each room of the house and decide what will stay and what will go. Consider whether any items will require special packing requirements (antiques, fragile) or extra insurance coverage (jewelry, electronics).

• Begin the work of researching and investigating your moving company options. Do not rely on a quote over the phone, but rather request an on-site estimate, and get the estimate in writing from each company. If your chosen moving company does not include vehicle transfer, begin researching auto shipping companies.

• Create a moving folder to keep track of everything—estimates, receipts, and an inventory of all the items you’re moving.

• Organize your children’s school records. Go to your children’s school and arrange for the transfer of records to their new district.

• Budget for moving expenses and start collecting estimates, including a moving quote.  Check with the IRS for any possible tax deductions, including moving expenses.

• Start researching your new home community. The Internet is a perfect resource for finding information about online community guides and information from online newspapers.

• Contact the Chamber of Commerce in your new home town to request their “new resident” packet.

• Draw out a rough floor plan of your new home and decide which function each room will serve. Begin the work of planning our floor space and designating bedrooms for your children and office space for you if needed.

• Start compiling all medical and dental records for you, your spouse, and children, including any prescriptions and up to date shot records. Ask your doctors or care provider if they can refer you to a new care provider in your move city.

• Get 2 copies of any financial and records you need.

• Arrange for veterinarian records to be transferred and take your pets in for a final checkup.

• Call your insurance provider and inquire about changes in your policy if changing states. Ask if moving is expenses are covered and arrange for insurance at your new home.

• Contact any health clubs or organizations you have joined. Ask about ending your membership and check any fees that will apply.

• File a change of address form with the Postal Service. If you are not clear yet on your new address, ask the post office to hold your mail in your new city.

• Schedule the disconnection and re-connection of all utilities for your old and new house, being sure to disconnect the day after you leave and connect the day before you arrive. If you have paid any "last month" deposits with the water or gas company, request your full refund.

• Make travel arrangements for your pets. Don’t forget to include necessary medical and immunization records.

• Advertise and host your garage sale. This is the best way to get rid of unwanted items – at a profit!

• Buy a special file for storing all documentation and paperwork associated with your move.

• If you need to use storage facilities, research your options and reserve.

• Start contacting all key financial providers such as your bank in order to have details changed on your account.

• Start packing all non-essentials when you have free time. Allow the children to start packing their rooms accordingly.

• Buy or locate suitable boxes and containers to pack your stuff into. Restaurants and grocery stores are an excellent source for unused boxes. Ask to speak with the inventory manager when you are checking.

• If you have a pet and are moving abroad, inquire about vaccinations necessary for travel.

• Get a lockable box and start putting in important documents as you come across them, including the aforementioned moving file.

• Give notice to all service providers such as gardeners, domestic help, and delivery services that you will be moving.

• Send out personalized change of address notices to friends and family if you have a set moving date and address. Your move will sneak up on you, so it’s important to get this base covered.

• Start making an inventory of all goods and take photos/videos of valuable items for extra protection. Make sure the date is visible on all images.

• Complete any repairs to your home that you have decided upon.

• Donate all unwanted clothing and household goods to various charitable organizations. Obtain receipts showing the items' value for possible tax deductions.

• Begin to use all supplies of canned goods, frozen foods and other household items that cannot be moved. When shopping, buy only what can be used before moving.

Six Weeks Before:

• Make a list of all items that are valuable or difficult to replace, and plan to ship these by certified mail or carry them with you.

• Subscribe to the local newspaper in your new hometown to start learning about events and culture.

• Begin using items that can't be moved, such as aerosol cleaners, frozen foods, or bleach.

• If you have not done so, sign a moving contract and finalize. Keep their number close so that you can call them whenever you have questions or concerns.

• If you are packing yourself, start to obtain packing supplies and make a plan on packing. Build a moving schedule and stick to it.

• Start collecting all copies of important paperwork that will be needed, including financial documents, insurance paperwork, and legal records.

One Month Before:

• Begin seriously packing. Begin by packing items that you use most infrequently. As mentioned before, take note of items with special value that might require additional insurance from your moving company. Make sure to declare in writing any item(s) valued over $100 per pound, such as a personal computer or jewelry.

• Clearly number and label each box with its contents and the room where it should go. This will help you to keep inventory of your belongings. Pack and label “essentials” boxes that you will need right away.

• Separate valuables according to value. Add items such as jewelry and important paperwork to a safety box and personally transport them to your new house. Make sure to put a copy of the mover’s estimate in this box, for reference on moving day. Mark it DO NOT MOVE so your movers don't load it by mistake.

Two to Three Weeks Before:

• Arrange to be off from work completely on moving day. You will need to supervise the move.

• Take your vehicles to the shop, and inquire about any services that might be needed if moving to a new climate.

• Clean out your safe-deposit box. If you’ll be changing banking institutions, remove the contents of your safety-deposit box and place in the safe box that you’ll be taking with you on moving day.

• Refill all prescriptions and stock up on any essentials you’ll need during the next few weeks.

• Pack your suitcase and plan to finish all packing a few days before your move date. Have your family pack suitcases with enough clothing and essentials for a few days.

• Make sure to return all library books and pick up all dry cleaning. Retrieve any items out on loan to friends and family.

• Dispose of all flammables, corrosives and poisons. These cannot and should not be moved. Many moving companies will have this rule as part of your contract.

• Prepare auto registration to be transferred to your new home town and/or state.

• If you are moving into or out of an apartment, ask about using a service elevator on your move day if available.

• Plan your meals for the last week of the move to help empty the refrigerator. Try to avoid using any appliances that will already be packed, like a toaster or waffle maker.

• Assemble a folder of any important information on your house for the new owners.

• If your car is being moved, be prepared in the event it must be driven to a loading site or picked at a specific location.

• Take the family on a special farewell visit to any spots that hold happy memories. Plan a simple going-away party for your children and their friends. Have some fun for yourself as well, with an open house or dinner party, but keep it simple.

• Make family travel plans, reserving hotel rooms and airline tickets as needed.

• Federal law requires the disposal of flammables such as fireworks, cleaning fluids, matches, acids, chemistry sets, aerosol cans, ammunition, and poisons such as weed killer, including propane tanks which are used for barbecue grills. Drain the fuel from your power mower or other machinery. Discard partially used cans of oil, paint thinner, bleach, or other substances that might be flammable or combustible.

• Make an appointment with a service professional to prepare all major appliances for shipment.

• Take the time to have your rugs and draperies cleaned I n anticipation of your new home, but leave them wrapped when they are returned from the cleaners for easy transportation.

• Do not clean your upholstered furniture before moving, as the moisture can cause mold in the event your furniture must be placed in temporary storage.

• Return all library books and consider any other similar things you might need to return.

• Start living off your groceries and freezer supplies and avoid buying new frozen or perishable foods.

• Pack up your carport or garage and any items stored in your shed or utility closet.

• Get together all paperwork and information that you might need upon arriving at your new home, including birth certificates, insurance documents, and vehicle registration.

• Obtain travelers checks for expenses that may be encountered along the way.

One Week Before:

• Review and print 2 copies of your Bill of Lading for your moving file and contact your moving company with any questions or concerns.

• If applicable, drain your water bed and water hoses.

• Make childcare arrangements for moving day if necessary.

• Decide what to do with house plants. You can donate them to a hospital or other organization or even include plants in your garage sale. Some states permit the entry of all house plants, while others admit them with specific rules and regulations. Check with your state transportation authority.

• If necessary, empty the locker at your club, bowling alley or gym.

• Start dismantling furniture that needs to be disassembled.

• Check on the insurance requirements and progress for your new home.

• Review the plan for your big move day, and include any help you might need. Try to provide food for your help.

A Few Days Before

• Defrost the freezer. If the refrigerator is moving with you, thoroughly empty, clean, and defrost it at least 24 hours prior to moving day.

• Double-check the moving details. Reconfirm the moving company’s arrival time and make sure you have exact, written directions to your new home for the movers. Include important contact information, such as your cell phone number.

• Arrange to pay your mover with a credit card or get a money order/cashier’s check. Remember to include some cash for a tip. If the movers have done a really great job, a 10 to 15 percent tip on the total fee is a nice gesture. Also, remember that refreshments are always appreciated and will keep your movers working hard.

• Point out to the packers any fragile items that need special packaging. Mark any items you don’t want packed or moved.

• If you are packing your own things, make sure everything is ready to go before the actual moving day.

• Unplug all electronic appliances up to 24 hours before the move, excluding plasma televisions if necessary, so that they will be at room temperature on moving day. This includes home computers, stereos, and audio/video equipment.

• Check closets, cabinets, and storage lockers for any items that might have been overlooked.

• Be available when the service technician arrives to prepare your appliances for shipment.

• Perform a final check that all the paperwork related to your house is complete.

• Finish all major packing.

• Pack up your personal computer and other electrical equipment. Write down all serial numbers in your moving folder.

• Put together a box of essentials for the move such as coffee, tea, sugar, mugs, paper, tools, and pens. Also include any cleaning materials that might be immediately necessary upon arrival.

• Make sure all boxes are clearly marked and labeled.

• Start cleaning the house as you go through it.

Moving Day

• Get up early and don't stress.  You have prepared for this day and now it’s here!

• Make sure that the moving truck is from the company you hired. There have been scams reported before.

• Take bedding off beds and pack it up.

• Walk your movers through the house, tell them what you need them to do and take their advice on the actual loading.

• Take inventory of all items. Before the movers leave, sign the bill of lading and inventory list, keeping a copy in your move folder.

• Supervise all aspects of the move and the monitor the movers, as you are ultimately responsible for how your possessions are packed and loaded.

• Load your items in a designated order, saving particular items for the rear of your shipment. This might include your cleaning supplies or vacuum cleaner.

• Check each room, closet and cabinet one final time before deciding you have it all loaded.

• Verify the destination address with the movers and confirm that your contact information is up-to-date.

• Take a measure and record of utility meter readings.

• Leave a nice note for the new owners of your home with your new address so they can forward any stray mail. Also, keep a friend or family member informed of your plans in the event of an emergency.

• It is ultimately your responsibility to sure all goods are loaded, so remain on site until all loading is finished. After making a final check of the house, review and sign the inventory sheet and get your copy from the movers.

• If applicable, approve and sign the bill of lading and/or freight bill. It states the terms and conditions under which your goods are moved and is also your receipt for the shipment. Verify that the movers have the exact destination address. Let the driver know how you can be reached, including phone numbers, pending the arrival of your household goods.

• Leave your phone line connected on moving day until the van leaves, in order to finish last-minute calls. Pack the phone in one of your suitcases when you are finished.

                Take a last look around and verify:           

Is the water shut off?

Is the furnace and air conditioner shut off?

Are the light switches turned off?

Are all utilities arranged for disconnection?

Are the windows shut and locked?

Have the old house keys been turned over?

Give the house a final clean. Have you left anything behind?

Have a final walk round to check you've remembered everything - do this BEFORE the moving vehicle leaves!

Verify that you have keys to your new home.

Verify that you have loaded all times that you will be personally transporting and lock your car. Turn everything off, lock up the house and you’re off!

Moving In:

• You will probably arrive at your new home ahead of the moving van. Take this extra time to look over things and verify that your utilities have been connected. Also, try to do any cleaning before you start the unloading/unpacking process.

• Place a floor plan of your new home by the unloading entrance, so the movers can determine where each piece of furniture should be placed.

• Supervise the unloading process to make sure you get everything in its proper spot.

• Offer the movers a snack and a drink as a friendly gesture.

• Double check appliances and systems to ensure all are working properly, arranging for repairs if necessary. By signing the inventory sheet, you are acknowledging receipt of all items listed. You should personally report any loss or damaged items to your salesperson or moving coordinator immediately.

• Verify that your mail is being delivered to your new address and pick up any mail being held at the Post Office.

• Get a new driver's license and new tags for your vehicle.

• Register to vote!  It’s fast and easy.

• Contact the local paper if you wish to start a new subscription.

• If your employer is paying your moving expenses, refer to their moving policy to determine any services the mover will be authorized to perform.

• Keep all documents pertaining to your move in a safe place. You will need them for verification of moving expenses when you file your federal income tax returns.

• To prevent any damage, television sets and other electronic equipment should not be used for a period of 24 hours to allow time for adjusting to room temperature and humidity changes.

• Unpack logically working down from important essentials to non-essential items.

• Reassemble your furniture in order of usage.

• Get all of your major appliances ready for use again and hook them up.

• Register with a doctor, dentist, veterinarian etc.