Moving Checklist

4-6 weeks prior to your move date:

• Try to reduce the number of unused items you have accumulated. Hold a yard sale or donate unwanted items to charity, this will also help keep your cost of moving lower.
• Make a list of everything you are bringing to your new home. Even though your moving company may create a list for you, it is always a good idea to compile one of your own for organizational purposes.
• Find out the replacement value of all belongings, for insurance purposes.
  
• Begin packing! It is never too early to start gathering packing materials together and begin boxing and wrapping items.
• Fill out a change of address form at your local post office and DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles).
• Inform the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of your move.
• Draw up a floor plan of where you think your furniture should be placed. This will help avoid confusion for you and your movers.
• If applicable, have your children's records transferred to their new schools.
• Get copies of your medical and dental records, if necessary.
• Obtain copies of veterinary records, if necessary.
• Arrange for removal of "installed items" you are bringing with you.
• If you live in an apartment building, give a notice of your move to the management of the building.
• Find out if certain appliances or electronics need to be serviced before they leave the point of origin.

2 weeks prior:

• Cancel any delivery subscriptions (magazines, etc.) or have deliveries transferred to your new address.
• Make arrangements to disconnect gas, electric, and any other utilities and at the same time find out how to connect utilities at your new home.
• If needed, find out where to dispose of household chemicals like old paint.
  
• Get rid of all flammables.
• Schedule appointments with the phone and cable company in order to have these utilities in place in your new home when you arrive.

2-3 days prior

• If possible try to make arrangements for someone to watch your children and/or pets. This will make it much easier for you and the moving crew to move about and get everything organized in your new home.
• Take down curtains and curtain rods.
• Pack a suitcase with the clothes and toiletries you'll need for the first day in your new home or in transition.
  
• If needed, pack a special box with other essentials you'll need for the first few days. (Make sure to mark this box "Do Not Move)."
• Please specially pack and try to take any expensive or irreplaceable items such as jewelry, heirlooms, or personal records (birth certificates marriage license, passports, etc) with you.
• Empty, defrost, and clean your refrigerator. Make sure it has at least 24 hours to air dry.

The Day of the Move:

• Make sure you are at home when the movers arrive so you can sign an inventory.
• Collect all keys to locking items. Put them in a safe place.
• Walk around with the foreman while he does the inventory.
  
• Keep your signed bill of lading and inventory in an easily accessible place.
• Make sure the driver has the correct delivery address and phone number.
• Confirm the expected delivery time with the driver.
• Before you leave, do a final walk through of every room. Check all closets and cabinets for items that you might leave behind .