Moving Checklist

There are so many things to think about when moving! Here's a comprehensive checklist to help you stay on track.

Relocation Checklist

By Relocation Property Services 1 MONTH BEFORE -- CHECK OUT YOUR COMPANY RELO PACKAGE

determine what expenses will be paid by your company
determine what expenses you will have to cover yourself
start a log of moving expense receipts (some may be deductible)

1 MONTH BEFORE -- GET A WRITTEN MOVING ESTIMATE

get estimates from two or more movers
including written commitment of pickup and delivery dates
get and check references
check the limits of the insurance offered
see if the insurance offered covers replacement cost
purchase additional insurance, if necessary

1 MONTH BEFORE -- GIVE CANCELLATION NOTICES

give day care center proper notice of withdrawal
give notice to clubs, organizations, volunteer activities
cancel newspaper subscriptions and regular deliveries

1 MONTH BEFORE -- HIRE A STORAGE FACILITY

check the limits of the insurance offered
see if the insurance offered covers replacement cost
purchase additional insurance, if necessary

1 MONTH BEFORE -- INSTRUCT YOUR BANK

arrange transfer of your accounts
order checks with new address
clean out your safety deposit box

1 MONTH BEFORE -- MAKE TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS

hotels / temporary housing
rental cars / plane tickets
transport service for pets and automobiles, if needed

1 MONTH BEFORE -- STORE IMPORTANT RECORDS IN FIRE-SAFE BOX

school records / pet documents
home purchase / sale papers
wills / marriage / divorce papers
financial records / stock certificates
birth certificates / social security cards / passports

1 MONTH BEFORE -- SUBMIT A CHANGE OF ADDRESS

turn in forms at the post office
mail post cards to friends and creditors

1 MONTH BEFORE -- TRANSFER IMPORTANT RECORDS

contact schools and arrange for transfer of student records
contact doctors for medical records and referrals to new physicians
change your insurance policies on property, auto, and medical

2 WEEKS BEFORE -- CLEAN OUT

take a ruthless walk-through to determine what you want to take
tag the rest of it and hold a garage sale
or call a charity for pick-up

2 WEEKS BEFORE -- GET YOUR STUFF IN ORDER

clean out club, gym, and school lockers
pick up all dry cleaning
retrieve and return all borrowed items from friends and neighbors
return library books

2 WEEKS BEFORE -- PREPARE TO LEAVE YOUR HOME

arrange for the disconnection or changeover of utilities
begin packing less-used items
clean out the cupboards
plan remaining meals so you can pack what you don't need
don't buy any more perishables than you have to

7 DAYS BEFORE -- CONFIRM MOVING ARRANGEMENTS

dates / agreements with moving and storage companies
agreements with auto and pet transportation companies
hotel and temporary housing accommodations
rental car and other transportation arrangements
don't buy any more perishables than you have to

7 DAYS BEFORE -- LET PEOPLE KNOW HOW TO REACH YOU

inform friends and relatives of your forwarding address
if you'll be without phone service, get a temporary voice mail box
some long-distance providers offer 1-800 voice mail numbers

7 DAYS BEFORE -- MAKE SURVIVAL BOX FOR MOVE

paper / pens
address book / stamps / envelopes
cellophane and heavy-duty tape / scissors
tape measure
paper cups, plates, and towels / plastic utensils / ziploc bags
facial and toilet tissue / soap / moist towelettes
instant coffee or tea / bottled drinks / snacks / can opener
aspirin / band-aids
travel alarm
flashlight / small tool kit
trash bags
children's games
spare car keys
phone books for the city you are leaving and your destination

7 DAYS BEFORE -- PREPARE BELONGINGS FOR PACKING

make an inventory list of all items going with you personally
keep valuable / irreplaceable items (jewelry, heirlooms) with you
clean out and defrost the deep freezer
disassemble furniture or other items
check yard and shed for all items that need packed
set aside box of cleaning supplies and the vacuum cleaner

7 DAYS BEFORE -- THINK ABOUT DECORATING YOUR NEW HOME

take pictures of furniture / get fabric samples and paint chips
create a "decorating reference file"
have measurements taken of the rooms in your new residence
use floor plans to determine where everything will go

JUST BEFORE MOVING -- CEASE USING THE REFRIGERATOR

remove all perishable food
store anything you still need in a cooler
clean and defrost the refrigerator and freezer

JUST BEFORE MOVING -- FINISH PACKING

complete packing of all household goods for the move
make sure all boxes are clearly marked

JUST BEFORE MOVING -- RESOLVE FINANCIAL MATTERS

conclude any arrangements relating to sale or lease of your home
purchase traveler's checks for trip expenses
reconcile and close or transfer bank accounts

MOVING DAY -- CONFIRM MOVING ARRANGEMENTS

confirm delivery address, directions, and delivery date with movers
make sure boxes are clearly marked
make sure your instructions are understood

MOVING DAY -- PREPARE YOUR HOME TO BE VACANT

make sure a relative, neighbor, or real estate agent has the keys
make sure that person knows how to contact you
notify insurance agent and police that the home will be empty

MOVING DAY -- VACATE YOUR HOME

clean the home and check entire grounds before leaving
check thermostat and make sure temperature is set appropriately
make sure all windows and doors are closed and locked
make sure all appliances are turned off
leave forwarding address, keys, and garage door opener

WHEN YOU ARRIVE -- GET UNPACKED

supervise moving crew on location of furniture and boxes
begin unpacking necessary basics first (utensils, toiletries, etc.)
give the kids a job to do -- let them start on their rooms
set kitchen and bedrooms up first, to make you feel at home

WHEN YOU ARRIVE -- PAY AND SETTLE WITH THE MOVERS

go over "Bill of Lading" with the moving company before signing
check for damaged and missing items and make a note of them
the Bill of Lading is usually binding once signed

WHEN YOU ARRIVE -- RELAX AND SETTLE IN

check to make sure all utilities are on and working properly
let family members or friends know that you have arrived safely
check in with employer and real estate agent to confirm itineraries
now relax, order dinner out, and take a hot bath...you deserve it!