Moving Tips

Eight weeks before you leave your present address

• Remove unnecessary items from your attic, basement,storage shed, etc. Use things you can't move, such as frozen foods and cleaning supplies.
• Obtain information about your new community.
• Secure a floor plan of your new residence and decide what household items you want to keep.
• Start a possessions inventory.
• Solicit estimates from at least three moving companies.
• Call your homeowners insurance agent to find out to what degree your move is covered.
• Create a file for documenting all moving papers and receipts.
• Arrange to transfer your children's school records.

Six weeks before you leave your present address

• Contact the IRS and/or your CPA for tax-deductible information.
• Evaluate your possessions inventory. Can you donate anything? Do you need it all?
• Notify your friends, relatives, professionals, creditors, subscriptions, etc.
• Subscribe to a local paper in your new community and familiarize yourself with local government, community and social news and activities.
• Begin the off-site storage process (if applicable).
• Locate high-quality health-care professionals and hospitals in your new location.
• Complete post-office change of address cards for the following: banks; charge cards; religious organizations; doctors/dentist; relatives and friends; income tax bureau/Social Security Administration/union; insurance broker/lawyer/CPA/ stockbroker; magazines; post office; and schools.
• Clean your closets.
• Hold a moving/garage sale or donate items to charities.
• Choose a mover. Contact your mover to make arrangements and inquire about insurance coverage.
• If relocating due to a job, contact your employer to see what costs, if any, they will cover.

Four weeks before you leave your present address

• Start packing!
• Send furniture, drapes and carpets for repair/cleaning as needed.
• Gather auto licensing and registration documents, medical, dental and school records, birth certificates, wills, deeds, stock and other financial documentation, etc.
• Contact gas, electric, oil, water, telephone, cable TV and trash collection companies for service disconnect /connect at your old and new addresses. Also ask for final readings.
• Request refunds on unused homeowner's insurance, security deposit with landlord, and prepaid cable/internet service.
• Notify your gardener, snow removal service and pool service (if applicable).
• Contact insurance companies (auto, homeowner's, medical and life) to arrange for coverage in your new home.

Three weeks before you leave your present address

• Make your travel plans.
• Arrange to close current bank accounts and open accounts in your new locale (if necessary).
• Notify your state's motor vehicle bureau of your new address.
• Arrange for childcare on moving day.

Two weeks before you leave your present address

• Arrange special transport for your pets and plants.
• Service your car for the trip.
• Contact your moving company and review arrangements for your move.

One week before you leave your present address

• Prepare detailed directions and an itinerary with emergency numbers for your moving company.
• Settle outstanding bills with local retailers. Pick up dry cleaning, and return library books and rented videotapes.
• Take pets to the veterinarian and get copies of their records.
• Drain gas and oil from power equipment.
• Give away plants not being moved.
• Cancel newspaper delivery.
• Buy two-weeks worth of medication and have your prescriptions forwarded to your new pharmacy.
• Buy traveler's checks.
• Make arrangements to pay for your move.

Two to three days before you leave your present address

• If you're not doing it yourself, have your mover pack.
• Defrost refrigerators and freezers.
• Consider gathering all valuables and giving them to family or friends to hold until the move is completed.
• Disconnect all major appliances.
• Contact your moving company for any updates.
• Pack first-night items and a survival kit. Keep them in separate boxes in your car. First night items may include: sheets, towels, toiletries, phone, alarm clock, change of clothes and flashlight.
• Mover's survival kit may include: scissors, utility knife, coffee cups, instant coffee/tea or a coffee maker, water and soft drinks, snacks, paper plates, plastic utensils, paper towels, toilet paper, soap, pencils and paper, local phone book, masking and/or duct tape, trash bags, shelf liner and aspirin or ibuprofen.

Moving day

• Be home to answer any questions your mover may have.
• Record all utility meter readings (gas, electric and water).
• Stay until your movers are finished.
• Complete information on the bill and carefully read the document and the inventory sheet before signing it.
• Keep your copies of the bill and inventory until your possessions are delivered, the charges are paid and any claims are settled.
• Take one final look around to see if you forgot anything.
• Give movers the directions to your new home, and an emergency number where you can be reached during the move.

At destination

• Unpack first-night items and mover's survival kit.
• Be at the destination to welcome the movers and be on hand to answer any questions.
• After the job is completed, pay what is owed. The driver is obligated by law (a federal requirement for interstate moves) to collect payment upon delivery.
• Scrutinize the unloading of your items and account for each one on your inventory sheet. Check promptly and carefully for any damaged or missing items.
• Place moving and other important documents in a safe place.
• Go to the post office and collect held mail.