Moving Planner

COUNTDOWN TO MOVING DAY

Eight weeks before you move

  • Obtain a floor plan of your new residence and decide what household items you want to keep.
  • Begin an inventory of all household goods.
  • Solicit estimates from several moving companies.
  • Contact your insurance agent, to ask them about your homeowners policy and determine whether your possessions are covered when moving.
  • Establish a file for all moving papers and receipts.
  • Arrange to transfer child(ren)’s school records.
  • Choose a mover or ask about our moving truck.

Six weeks before you move

  • Begin search for good health-care professionals in your new location.
  • Fill out a Post-Office change of address card.
  • Send your new address to anyone that might need it — insurance agents, credit card companies, magazine subscriptions, friends, relatives, etc.
  • Clean out closets and dispose of all items that you will not be taking with you.
  • Hold a moving/garage sale or donate items to charities.
  • Make a menu plan that works through the food in your pantry, fridge and freezer.

Four weeks before you move

  • For self movers, reserve a truck or trailer.
  • Obtain necessary moving supplies: boxes, twine, labels, etc.
  • Packing Tips

Start packing!!

  • If your mover is doing the packing, arrange for it to be done one or two days before loading begins.
  • Send furniture, drapes and carpets for repair or cleaning as needed.
  • Gather valuable personal papers that you may need at your destination location, including medical and dental records, school records, birth certificates, etc.
  • Make travel plans and arrange any motel or other reservations.

Three weeks before you move

  • Arrange to have utilities (gas, electric, phone, cable, etc.) disconnected in your present home, and connected at your new home.
  • Ready car registration and insurance records for transfer.
  • Notify State Motor Vehicle Bureau of your new address.
  • Arrange for child care on moving day.
  • If necessary, reserve apartment elevator for pickup and/or delivery dates.

Two weeks before you move

  • Arrange to move pets.
  • Check with mover about moving house plants. (Some movers will not move plants.)
  • Dispose of all items too dangerous to move, including flammable liquids.
  • If necessary, have your automobile serviced and ready for the trip.

One week before you move

  • Transfer all bank accounts if necessary.
  • Cancel newspaper delivery.
  • Have enough medication to last at least two weeks. Have prescriptions forwarded to a pharmacy at your new destination.
  • Make arrangements to pay for your move.
  • Withdraw items and close safety deposit boxes.

Two days before you move

  • Have mover pack your goods (unless doing it yourself).
  • Defrost and dry refrigerators and freezers to be moved.
  • Set aside valuable items to carry with you including jewelry, vital documents, money and valuable small items.

Moving day

  • Be on hand to answer questions and give directions to movers and stay until they are finished.
  • Accompany driver for inventory of your household goods.
  • Complete information on bill of lading and carefully read the document before you sign it.
  • Make sure you have your copies of the bill of lading and inventory.
  • Keep the bill of lading until your possessions are delivered, the charges are paid, and any claims are settled.
  • Before the van leaves, take one final look through the house to make certain nothing has been left behind.
  • Give the driver directions to your new home.

HAPPY MOVING!