Moving List

Moving Checklist

What to do before you move

Sort through your belongings to reduce the number of things you move.
Have a garage sale or donate items you no longer need to charity.
Decide whether to move yourself or hire a professional. Get bids from professional mover. Tip: Call 3 companies for estimates to compare.
Gather packing supplies: boxes, packing material, tape, felt markers & scissors.
Transfer, sell or resign memberships in clubs and associations.
Place legal, medical, financial, insurance and personal records in a safe and accessible location.
Establish credit in your new city.
If you are moving long distance, make travel arrangements with the airlines, hotel and rental car agency. If you’re driving to your new home, get maps and plan your travel route.
Arrange for school authorities to transfer your children’s school records.
Separate goods going into storage.
Purchase insurance for valuables to be moved.

4-6 weeks before moving

Start packing items that aren’t regularly used such as off-season clothes and decorations and items in storage areas. (Garage, attic and closets)
Notify post office, utilities, professional services, insurance agencies, business government and public offices and magazine subscriptions.
Make travel arrangements for your pets.
If you’re driving, get your car tuned up.
Obtain address of utility companies in new city. Utilities can sometimes be connected before you arrive.
Use up supplies of household items.
Back up important computer files to floppy disks or CD’s.
Inventory what will go to determine the amount of valuation.

2-3 weeks before moving

Confirm your pack dates with the moving company and supply destination phone numbers.
Sign up for services and utilities at your new residence.
Contact your long distance phone company and notify them of your move.
Take pets to the veterinarian. Most states require health certificates and rabies vaccinations.
Return library books and anything borrowed from friends and neighbors.
Call friends and family and recruit help for the moving day if necessary.
Confirm your travel arrangements.
Arrange to close or transfer your bank account, if appropriate. Pick up items from safe deposit box.

1 week before move

Send Change of Address cards with your new address and phone number to:

Friends and family.
Banks, insurance companies, credit card companies and other financial institutions.
Magazines and newspapers.
Doctors, lawyers, accountant, realtor and other services providers.
State and federal tax authorities and any other government agencies as needed.
Workplace, schools and alma maters.
Voter registration office and department of motor vehicles.

The Day Before

Set aside moving materials, such as tape measure, pocket knife and rope.
Pad corners and stairways of house.
Lay down old sheets in the entry and hallways to protect floor coverings.
Remove hanging fixtures.
If moving yourself, pick up the rental truck and a hand truck or dolly to move heavy boxes.
If you’re driving, check oil and gas in your car.
If you’re traveling, make sure you have tickets, charge cards and other essentials.

Moving Day

Carry with you:

The keys to your new house.
Map of new town and directions to your new house.
The telephone number of the moving company.
Cash or travelers checks.
Documentation related to the sale of your home.
Your insurance policies and agent’s phone number.
Your current address book or personal planner.
Prescription and non-prescription medicines.
Enough clothing to get by if the movers are late.
Check closets, cabinets and storage lockers for articles overlooked.
Have dishes washed and dried and unplug the TV so it is at room temperature when ready to be loaded on to truck.
Any important personal records and documents.
Any items of great personal value to you that are virtually irreplaceable (for example, a photo album).
Back up copies of important computer files.
Sheets and towels for the first night in your new home.
Personal hygiene items (for example: toothpaste, soap, razor).

Arrival day

Show movers where to place furniture and boxes.
Check inventory to ensure that everything was delivered before signing delivery papers. Note any damages on the inventory sheet. Tip: It’s helpful to have the movers read off the inventory numbers on boxes and furniture while you check the inventory list.
Unpack any valuable items, such as silver, art and jewelry upon arrival.

After the move

Walk and drive around your neighborhood and community to orient yourself and your family.
Get new drivers license, library cards, voter registration cards and bus passes.
Register your children in school.