Moving Checklist

The following Moving Guide contains the most effective, tried and true, step by step guidelines to a successful move.  Thankfully, some tools and moving checklist that can help you make the most out of moving, Let the countdown begin!

WEEK 4 BEFORE THE MOVE

• Hold a family meeting and ask for everyone’s collaboration and a supportive attitude.
• Get a quote from a moving company with excellent reviews that meet your needs and schedule your moving date and time.
• Fill out a change of address form from the US Postal Service.
• Alert subscription services and banking institutions of your change of address.
• Find medical, dental, and hospital services in your new neighborhood. Transfer insurance services by location and change medical providers, if necessary.
• Have a yard sale or donate items you don’t want to bring along. Clean out closets and garage.
• Ask for time off from work.
• Gather and purchase moving supplies like boxes, tape, markers, and bubble sheets.
• List and calculate the value of each one of your belongings for insurance purpose.
• Call utility companies to schedule turn off and turn on services, transfer, close, or open accounts.

WEEK 3 BEFORE THE MOVE

• Think about those you want to stay in touch with. Make a list of addresses and phone numbers. Hand them yours.
• Make special moving arrangement for your pets and plants.
• Move your safe deposit box from one bank location to another.
• Review home and auto insurance policies. Find out how changes in address affect your insurance beforehand.
• Transfer your home insurance plan to the new location.
• Find out from your moving company the amount of coverage you may expect in the event of a loss.
• Two more weeks to go. They’ll go by in a breeze if you follow the next steps ahead.

WEEK 2 BEFORE THE MOVE

• When shipping a vehicle is part of the move, make sure to clean it out and top off the fluids.
• Packing starts now. Label each box according to the room and fill it to the top.
• Set aside personal items such as documents and valuables that will travel with you.
• Make lodging and travel arrangements.
• Get rid of any flammable materials; they cannot be moved.
• Discontinue all delivery and maintenance services to the home.
• Set aside packed boxes for easy access and seal them.
• Eat all perishable foods and buy only what you’re going to consume right away.
• Clean out freezers and refrigerators of old and frozen foods.

WEEK 1 BEFORE THE MOVE

• Arrange for payments at your destination, online, or however you arrange it.
• Leave room for tips at the end of the day.
• Drain fluids from equipment being moved such as lawnmowers.
• If you are a renter, make sure you paint and fix all the things that you are responsible for according to the lease.
• Ask the realtor at the location you are moving to give you a walk-through inspection of the property so there won’t be any surprises.
• Inspect, list and photograph the condition of the property you are leaving.
• Plan for keys to be dropped off, left behind, and received.

THE DAY BEFORE THE MOVE

• Pack the personal items you will need to carry with you during the move in a separate box or luggage.
• Take a last tour of the premises and make sure you are not leaving anything behind.
• Keep all insurance policies, leases, and contracts, handy.
• Clean out your refrigerator for the last time.
• Get some sleep; you’ll need all your energy for the big day.

MOVING OUT DAY

• Be ready for the movers when they get there.
• Get the mover’s cell phones and names.
• If disassembly and reassembly are included, make sure there are no loose parts left behind.
• Once everything is loaded:
  1. take a final walkthrough, open and close cabinets, turn lights and ac off.
  2. Make sure you sign the “bill of landing” electing the valuation and protection of the household goods in the insurance coverage.
  3. Check that the movers have the correct moving address.
  4. Let your realtor at the new location know you expected time of arrival.
  5. Make sure you lock all doors and windows.
  6. Take a final picture of the place and say goodbye.

MOVE-IN DAY

• Verify utilities and access on the way.
• Supervise assembly of all furniture and placement of large appliances.
• If you made labor payments online, be ready to give labor a well-deserved tip.
  start to unpack.
• Shop for one or two days worth of food at a time until you’re settled in.

 

Start your new life.