1) 5 weeks before moving a) Pick up a Change-of-Address Kit from the Post Office and fill out and send to: i) Friends and family ii) Banks iii) Insurance companies iv) Credit card companies v) Magazines and newspapers - cancel local newspaper delivery vi) Doctors, dentists and other providers vii) Past employer documentation b) Prepare a list of the things that you don’t want to take with you. i) Start using up perishable foods ii) Sell, donate or hold a garage sale for unwanted items (contact James for signs) c) Prepare a list of what you want to take with you. i) Large appliances? ii) Outside furniture? d) For full service moves: i) Get written estimates from several moving companies ii) Things to consider (1) Will the movers pack for you? (2) What items won't they move? (3) How much will it cost to include unpacking? (4) What damages does insurance cover? iii) Get appraisals of high-value items in case of future claims e) For do-it-yourself moves, make arrangements for truck rental and moving help, and buy packing supplies: i) Boxes ii) Packing and masking tape iii) Markers iv) Newspapers v) Twine vi) Consider calling your friends and having a packing party f) Start packing boxes. i) Labeling (Use Thick dark marker, label on 3 sides) (1) Label boxes clearly with the contents and the room they are to be placed in. (2) Label "Open First" clearly on boxes containing important items to be unpacked first: ii) Dishes (the ones you don’t use often) iii) Pots and pans (the ones you don’t use often) iv) Alarm clock v) Bedding (Sets that you don’t often use) vi) Special toys vii) Towels viii) Light bulbs (May want a few extra, just in case) ix) China (you’ll be too busy to have any parties) x) Tools - hammer, pliers, wrench (Keep your toolbox handy though) g) Make arrangements for picking up your important records: i) Birth ii) Doctor iii) Dentist iv) Legal v) Optician, optometrist vi) School vii) Veterinarian h) Open bank accounts in your new town. i) Consider transferring accounts that are used often to your new bank. i) Contact your child's new school and notify them of your upcoming move to their area. j) Contact the Chamber of Commerce in your new town. Request a relocation package. 2) About 2 weeks before moving a) Pack your vital documents in one place: i) Passports ii) Mortgage records iii) Marriage license iv) Birth certificates v) Vehicle titles vi) Stock certificates vii) Insurance papers viii) Bank records ix) School records x) Medical records xi) Tax records b) Contact your utility providers and 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: i) Cable (return box if necessary) ii) Electric iii) Gas iv) Internet access (return modem if necessary) v) Telephone vi) Water c) Make arrangements to connect utilities at your new residence. d) Make arrangements for cleaning your existing home e) Check with your insurance company about transferring coverage to your new home. f) Arrange to have a sitter or relative watch your children at their house on moving day. 3) About a week before moving a) Dispose or drain any flammable items: i) Lawn mower gas ii) Snow blower gas iii) Paint iv) Aerosol cans b) Plan what goes in the car with you: i) Toys and games for kids ii) Special breakable items or collections iii) Important documents and records iv) Change of clothes and toiletries for your first day (kids may need multiple outfits) v) Vacuum cleaner - if you want to clean your new home right away vi) Toilet paper vii) First aid kit viii) Sharp knife ix) Bottle of champagne? x) Food kit with bottled water, c) Make travel arrangements for your pets and plants. d) Transfer drug prescriptions e) Purchase moving insurance if you have valuable antiques and collections. f) Close out your bank accounts: i) Checking ii) Savings iii) Safe Deposit Box iv) Investment Accounts 4) The Day before moving a) Defrost, clean and air out your refrigerator and freezer. b) Clean your stove. c) Make sure you have payment ready for the mover - they will not unpack without a check. Check your moving company's payment policies, you may need cash. d) Purchase traveler's checks for other possible expenses. e) Pack your former town's phone book for future correspondence. f) Get a simple breakfast ready for the next morning and pack it. g) Pick up beverages for moving day. h) Tomorrow’s going to be a long day, be sure you get a good nights sleep 5) Moving Day a) Strip your beds. b) Show movers around. Make sure your possessions to be moved are inventoried with them. i) Write "subject to further inspection for concealed loss or damage" on contract when you sign to protect yourself should you find damage while unpacking. c) Get all keys together. Put in a safe spot. d) Make sure moving van driver has correct address, phone number, cell phone number, and directions. Confirm delivery date and ETA with him. e) Check all rooms one last time. Remember closets and cupboards, basement, shed, and garage! Close and Lock all windows and doors. Turn heat down or air conditioning to a reasonable level. Turn off all lights. Drive safely! This is a general description of things that you may or may not need to do to prepare for your move. It is a guide and provided for informational purposes only. |