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10 to 12 weeks before you move
- You should already have gone through the Home Preparation Checklist to remove clutter from the house, or do so before listing the house.
- Decide on moving yourself or hiring a moving company. This usually involves getting several bids from moving companies, truck rental agencies, and storage facilities.
- Cut back on replenishing canned foods, cleaning items, etc that you would rather not have to move.
- Start a file for all your moving paperwork (estimates, receipts, etc.).
- Get bids and schedule work on your new home: Painting, plumbing, roofing, locksmith, etc.
- Check out and apply to new schools (where appropriate)
A Month before you move
- Fill out post office change-of-address cards.
- Firm up your reservations with moving companies and/or truck rental and storage
- Obtain all medical records to bring or transfer to your new area
- Have valuables appraised and insured.
- Transfer school records.
- If packing yourself, get necessary packing materials and begin packing seldom-used items.
Two weeks before you move
- Schedule disconnection of the utility services at your old home, and connection at your new one.
- Don’t forget about deposits you may have paid with your old utilities.
- Make special arrangements for pets, plants, fish, etc that cannot be moved via movers.
- Check with your insurance company to see how your possessions are covered during transit.
- Do you need child care during moving day? Schedule it.
- Hold a garage sale to rid yourself of those unwanted items that you don’t need at your new home.
One week before you move
- Arrange for disposal of anything not sold at your moving sale.
- If you're moving from a warm climate to a cold one, check your antifreeze.
- Return any borrowed items (including library books) and retrieve any loaned items.
- Cancel newspaper delivery.
- Notify magazine subscriptions, creditors, friends, etc., of your move.
- Transfer prescriptions and be sure you have an adequate supply of medications on hand.
- Set aside manuals, receipts, etc, for the new owner of your home.
One day before you move
- Transfer your bank accounts.
- Take animals to vet for immunization, if necessary.
- Close and empty your safe-deposit box.
- Settle any bills with local businesses.
- Drain power equipment of oil and gas.
- Drain water hoses.
- Find new homes for plants that will not be moved.
- Confirm any travel reservations.
- Drain your waterbed.
- Defrost refrigerator and freezer, propping doors open.
- Disconnect and prepare major appliances for move.
- Set aside anything that will travel in your car so it will not be loaded on the truck.
- Pack a box of items that will be needed first at the new house. Clearly mark this box "Load Last."
- Confirm arrival time of your moving van/truck.
- If moving yourself, dismantle beds and other large furniture.
- Pack a travel kit with critical items like a checkbook, credit cards, personal phone book, ID, flashlight, keys, toiletries, tools, paper plates, cups, towels, travel alarm clock, aspirin, bandages and games for the kids.
- Pack a suitcase with clothing and other personal items.
Moving Day
- If using a mover, be sure someone is at the old house to answer questions.
- Note all utility meter readings.
- Read your bill of lading and inventory carefully before signing. Keep this paperwork in a safe place.
Delivery Day
- Check your belongings carefully and note on the inventory paperwork any damaged items.
- On an interstate move, be prepared to pay the driver before your possessions are unloaded.
- Supervise unloading and unpacking.
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