Moving Checklist
- Sell or give away anything you won't move. Plan a garage sale.
- Make a list of everything to be moved.
- Call several movers for estimates.
- Consider insurance on movables.
- Estimate packing cartons needed and purchase them.
- Gather and store dental, medical and pet's veterinary records. Ask for a professional referral for a new doctor, dentist and veterinarian.
- Pick up Change of Address Moving Kit from Post Office.
- Send out change-of-address cards, especially to old and new neighborhood post offices.
- Contact children's school and have transcripts forwarded.
- Close area charge accounts and arrange for bills to be forwarded.
- Request that your credit bureau file be transferred to the credit bureau in your new city.
- Make travel plans by plotting itinerary.
- Ask your employer to forward your W-2 and other tax forms.
- For tax purposes, keep a record of all moving expenses and keep receipts of any items you donate to charity
- Arrange for disconnection of utilities and re-connection at new location.
- If your car or other possessions are not fully paid for, notify your back or lending facility if you are moving them out of state.
- Notify your pastor, priest or rabbi, and inquire about a place of worship near your home.
- Pack one room at a time and label all boxes as to what's in them and the room in your house they should go to. Label furniture as to the room it should go to.
- Make sure. you return items you've borrowed from library and friends.
- Collect items you've loaned out.
- Resign memberships to clubs.
- Check to see if your large appliances need to be prepared for moving.
- If car is to be towed, arrange for tow bar.
- Arrange the transfer of important documents and fine jewelry.
- Arrange farewell visits.
- Arrange the cancellation of newspaper and other home deliveries.
- Send out clothes that need cleaning.
- Ask bank to release safe deposit box and transfer account to new bank.
- Arrange for sitter on moving day.
- Arrange for cash, traveler's checks, or certified checks. (Movers usually require cash or certified check)
- Get tranquilizers for your pet if it will accompany you in the car.
- Drain gas from your lawn mower and dispose of flammable items.
- The following items should not be packed: aerosol cans, paint cans, bleach, alcohol, cleaning fluids, ammunition, perishable food, perfume, medicine, nail polish remover or anything else that could leak.
- Arrange to have your phone disconnected. Find out whether you can take your phone with you. Ask about credits for phones at new location.
- Transfer your insurance so you will be covered at your new home.
- Prepare a first aid kit for your trip. Include your daily medical needs.
- Pick up clothing and items sent out for repair and cleaning.
- Pack a suitcase you can live out of, if necessary, for the first three days in your new home.
- Empty and defrost refrigerator and freezer and let them air dry for a day. Deodeorize large appliances with baking soda or coffee.
- If you live on a busy thoroughfare, request police to place "No Parking" signs in front of your house so moving van won't disrupt traffic.
- Remember to leave the keys to your old property with your real estate agent, landlord or neighbor.
- Save your phone book for tying up loose ends when you get to your new residence.
- Make final check to guarantee appliances are ready to be moved.
- Give driver written directions to new address.
- After van is packed and weighed, determine final moving bill. Make sure you have payment ready before van is unloaded at new address.
- Confirm arrival date and time.
- Pack vacuum last so you can reach it easily to clean new home.
- Sign and save copy of bills of lading. Give mover address of place you can be reached enroute to new destination.
- Before you leave, check every room, closets and the attic a final time.
- Check locks on doors and windows.
- Be on hand for unloading and to supervise your furniture placement and delivery of packed boxes.
- Inventory everything and make notes of damaged or missing items.
- Have the utility company check appliances for proper operation.
- Check electrical wiring and fuses and water shut-off valves.
- Start newspaper and other home deliveries.
- Arrange for a safe deposit box.
- Revise your will if you've moved out of state in which it is drawn.
- Relax! Organization has taken a lot of the worry out of moving.
