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
1 MONTH BEFORE -- GET A WRITTEN MOVING ESTIMATE
1 MONTH BEFORE -- GIVE CANCELLATION NOTICES
1 MONTH BEFORE -- HIRE A STORAGE FACILITY
1 MONTH BEFORE -- INSTRUCT YOUR BANK
1 MONTH BEFORE -- MAKE TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS
1 MONTH BEFORE -- STORE IMPORTANT RECORDS IN FIRE-SAFE BOX
1 MONTH BEFORE -- SUBMIT A CHANGE OF ADDRESS
1 MONTH BEFORE -- TRANSFER IMPORTANT RECORDS
2 WEEKS BEFORE -- CLEAN OUT
2 WEEKS BEFORE -- GET YOUR STUFF IN ORDER
2 WEEKS BEFORE -- PREPARE TO LEAVE YOUR HOME
7 DAYS BEFORE -- CONFIRM MOVING ARRANGEMENTS
7 DAYS BEFORE -- LET PEOPLE KNOW HOW TO REACH YOU
7 DAYS BEFORE -- MAKE SURVIVAL BOX FOR MOVE
7 DAYS BEFORE -- PREPARE BELONGINGS FOR PACKING
7 DAYS BEFORE -- THINK ABOUT DECORATING YOUR NEW HOME
JUST BEFORE MOVING -- CEASE USING THE REFRIGERATOR
JUST BEFORE MOVING -- FINISH PACKING
JUST BEFORE MOVING -- RESOLVE FINANCIAL MATTERS
MOVING DAY -- CONFIRM MOVING ARRANGEMENTS
MOVING DAY -- PREPARE YOUR HOME TO BE VACANT
MOVING DAY -- VACATE YOUR HOME
WHEN YOU ARRIVE -- GET UNPACKED
WHEN YOU ARRIVE -- PAY AND SETTLE WITH THE MOVERS
WHEN YOU ARRIVE -- RELAX AND SETTLE IN
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!