Moving Checklist
What to do...
One Month Before Moving | Two Weeks Before | One Week Before | On Moving Day!
One Month Before Moving
-
Change of Address
- Friends and family
- Banks, Finance and Insurance companies
- Credit card companies
- Monthly subscriptions
- Doctors, dentists and other providers - transfer drug prescriptions
- Past employer - for W2 forms
- Use up perishable foods
- Sell, donate or hold a garage sale for unwanted items
- Begin to look for boxes that will hold possessions
- Contact moving company to ask advice, expected weight, ect.
- Large appliances?
- Outside furniture?
- Storage?
- Get written estimates from several moving companies
- Will the movers pack for you?
- What items won't they move?
- Get appraisals of high-value items in case of future claims
- Are there items that should be shipped separately?
- When they unpack, will they disassemble?
- U-Haul
- Two Men and a Truck
- Boxes
- Packing and masking tape
- Markers
- Newspapers & other packing material
- Twine
- Scissors
- Mark "Open First" clearly on boxes containing important items to be unpacked first
- Mark boxes clearly as to contents and room to be placed in
- Dishes
- Pots and pans
- Alarm clock
- Bedding
- Special toys
- Towels
- Light bulbs
- Tools - hammer, pliers, wrench
- Birth
- Doctor
- Dentist
- Legal
- Optician, optometrist
- School - make sure you get one with a raised seal
- Veterinarian
- Checking
- Savings
- Safe Deposit Box
- Investments and Portfolios
- Transfer account from current bank?
- Employer automatic deposit?
Contact your child's new school and notify them of your upcoming move to their area.
Contact the Chamber of Commerce in your new town. Request a relocation package.
Check and clear any tax assessments on your current property.
Complete any necessary repairs. Arrange for any repairs in your new house.
Two Weeks Before Moving
Pack your vital documents in one place:
- Passports
- Military records
- Mortgage records
- Marriage license
- Birth certificates
- Vehicle titles
- Stock certificates
- Insurance papers
- Bank records
- School records
- Medical records
- Tax records
Make arrangements to disconnect your utilities. Get refunds for any deposits made. Have meters read. Give new address for them to send their final bill:
- Cable - return box if necessary
- Electric
- Gas
- Fuel
- Telephone
- Water
Make arrangements to connect utilities at your new residence.
Make arrangements for cleaning both your old home and new home.
Inquire about your new state's auto licensing procedure and auto insurance rates.
Check with your insurance company about transferring coverage to your new home.
Arrange to have a sitter watch your children at their house on moving day.
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One Week Before Moving
Dispose or drain any flammable items:
- Lawn mower gas
- Snow blower gas
- Paint
- Aerosol cans
Plan what goes in the car with you:
- Car Entertainment
- Special breakable items or collections
- Important documents and records
- Change of clothes and toiletries for your first day
- Vacuum cleaner - if you want to clean right away
- Toilet paper
- First aid kit
- Food kit with bottled water, cereal, bananas
Make travel arrangements for your pets and plants.
Purchase moving insurance if you have valuable antiques and collections.
Have your car tuned up.
The Day Before Moving
Defrost, clean and air out your refrigerator.
Clean your stove.
Make sure you have payment ready for the mover - they will not unpack without a check. Check your moving company's payment policies.
Purchase traveler's checks for other possible expenses.
Pack your former town's phone book for future correspondence.
Get a simple breakfast ready for the next morning.
Pick up ice and beverages for moving day.
Take down curtains and curtain rods.
Get a good night's sleep!
Moving Day!
Strip your beds.
- Moving company - will they disassemble?
Show movers around. Make sure your possessions to be moved are inventoried with them.
- Write "subject to further inspection for concealed loss or damage" on contract when you sign to protect yourself should you find damage while unpacking.
Get all keys together. Put in a safe spot.
Make sure moving van driver has correct address, phone number and directions. Confirm delivery date with him.
Check all rooms one last time. Remember closets and cupboards, basement and garage! Make sure all windows and doors are locked.
Have a good move! Remember that many of your moving expenses are tax deductible, so hang on to your receipts. Call the Internal Revenue Service and request Publication 521: "Tax Information On Moving Expenses" to find out which moving expenses you can deduct.
