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. Use our Home Planner.
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.
