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 professionals. Make
reservations with a moving company or truck rental company.
Gather packing supplies: boxes, packing material, tape, felt
markers, and scissors.
If you're moving a long distance, make travel arrangements with
the airline, hotel, and rental car agency. If you're driving to
your new home, get maps and plan your travel route.
Save all moving receipts, because some moving expenses may be
tax deductible. Check the current tax code for requirements.
Place your legal, medical, financial, and insurance records in a
safe and accessible place.
Purchase insurance coverage for valuables to be moved.
One Month 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).
Make travel arrangements for your pets.
If you're driving, get your car tuned up.
Get medical records from your doctors, dentist, optometrist, and
veterinarian.
Send items (rugs, drapes, clothing, quilts, bedding) to the
cleaners.
Back up important computer files to floppy disk.
Two Weeks Before Moving
Contact your utility companies (gas,
electric, water, cable, trash collector, and local phone service
providers) and notify them of your move.
Sign up for services at your new address.
Contact your long distance phone company and notify them of your
move.
Call friends and family and recruit help for the moving day if
necessary.
Confirm your travel reservations.
Arrange to close or transfer your bank account, if appropriate.
Pick up items from safety deposit box.
One Week Before Moving
Pick up items from the cleaners, repair shops, or friends.
Pack a survival kit of clothes, medicines, and special foods,
and so on to carry you through the day after arrival in your new
home.
Finish packing all Boxes minus what you'll need in the final
week.
Inform the post office of your upcoming move.
Send change-of-address cards with your new address and phone
number to:
Friends and family a Banks, insurance companies, credit card
companies, and other financial institutions a Magazines and
newspapers a Doctors, lawyer, accountant, realtor, and other
service providers a State and federal tax authorities and any
other government agencies as needed a Workplace, schools, and
alma maters a Voter registration office and motor vehicle bureau
a
The Day Before
Set aside moving materials, such as tape measure, pocketknife,
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 home.
Map of new town and directions to your house.
The telephone number of the moving company.
Cash or traveler's 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.
Any important personal records and documents.
Any items of great personal value to you that is 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 driver's licenses, library cards, voter registration
cards, and bus passes.
Enroll children in school. |
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