Moving
Checklist
þ Two months before moving
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Sort through your belongings to reduce the number of things to move.
¨ Have a garage sale or donate items you no longer need.
¨ Decide whether to move yourself or hire professionals. Make reservations with a moving company or truck rental company. Tip: Call three companies for estimates to compare.
¨ Gather packing supplies: boxes, packing material, tape, felt markers, and scissors.
¨ If you’re moving a long distance, make travel arrangements with the airline, hotel, and rental car agency. If you’re driving to your new home, get maps and plan your travel route.
¨ Save all moving receipts. Some moving expenses are tax deductible. Check the current tax code for requirements.
¨ Place your legal, medical, financial, and insurance records in a safe and accessible place.
¨ Purchase insurance coverage for valuables to be moved.
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þ One month before moving
¨ Start packing items that aren’t regularly used such as off-season clothes and decorations and items in storage areas (garage, attic, and closets).
¨ Make travel arrangements for your pets.
¨ If you’re driving, get your car tuned up.
¨ Get medical records from your doctors, dentist, optometrist, and veterinarian.
¨ Send items (rugs, drapes, clothing, quilts, bedding) to the cleaners.
¨ Back up important computer files to floppy disk.
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þ Two weeks before moving
¨ Contact your utility companies and notify them of your move.
¨ Sign up for services at your new address.
¨ Contact your long distance phone company and notify them of your move.
¨ Call friends and family and recruit help for the moving day.
¨ Confirm your travel reservations.
¨ Arrange to close or transfer your bank account, if appropriate. Pick up items you’re your safety deposit box.
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þ One week before moving
¨ Pick up items from the cleaners, repair shops, or friends.
¨ Pack a survival kit of clothes, medicines, special foods, etc. to carry you through the day while you unpack.
¨ Finish packing all boxes minus what you’ll need in the final week.
¨ Inform the post office of your upcoming move.
¨ Send change-of-address cards with your new address and phone number to:
¨ Friends and family
¨ Banks, insurance companies, credit card companies, and other financial institutions
¨ Magazines and newspapers
¨ Doctors, lawyers, accountants, realtors, and other service providers
¨ State and federal tax authorities and any other government agencies as needed
¨ Workplace, schools, and alma maters
þ The day before
¨ Set aside moving materials, such as tape measure, pocketknife, and rope.
¨ Pad corners and stairways of house.
¨ Lay down old sheets in the entry and hallways to protect floor coverings.
¨ Remove hanging fixtures.
¨ If you are moving yourself, pick up the rental truck and a dolly to move heavy boxes.
¨ If you are driving, check oil, tire pressure, and gas in your car.
¨ If you are flying, make sure you have tickets, charge cards and other essentials.
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þ Moving Day
Carry with you:
¨ The keys to your new home.
¨ A map of your new town and directions to your home.
¨ The telephone number of the moving company.
¨ Cash or traveler’s checks.
¨ Documentation related to the sale of your home.
¨ Your insurance policies and agent’s phone number.
¨ Your current address book or personal planner.
¨ Prescription and non-prescription medicines.
¨ Enough clothing to get by if the movers are late.
¨ The telephone number of the moving company.
¨ Any items of great personal value to you that are virtually irreplaceable.
¨ Back-up copies of important computer files.
¨ Sheets, towels and personal hygiene items for the first night in your new home.
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þ Arrival Day
¨ Show movers where to place furniture and boxes.
¨ Check inventory to ensure that everything was delivered before signing delivery papers. Note any damages on the inventory sheet.
¨ Unpack any valuable items, such as silver, art, and jewelry, upon arrival.
¨ Inform the post office of your upcoming move.
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