Moving Checklist
One Month Before Moving
- Pick up a Change-of-Address Kit from the Post Office and fill out:
- Friends and family
- Banks
- Insurance companies
- Credit card companies
- Magazines and newspapers – cancel local newspaper delivery
- Doctors, dentists and other providers – transfer drug prescriptions
- Past employer – for W2 forms
- Take a look around the house. Start to think about what you don’t want to
take with you. -
- Use up perishable foods
- Sell, donate or hold a garage sale for unwanted items
- Prepare a list of what you want to move.
- Large appliances?
- Outside furniture?
- For full service moves:
- 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
- For do-it-yourself moves, make arrangements for truck rental and moving
help, and buy packing supplies: -
- Boxes
- Packing and masking tape
- Markers
- Newspapers
- Twine
- Start packing boxes. Mark boxes clearly as to contents and room to be
placed in. Mark “Open First” clearly on boxes containing important items
to be unpacked first: -
- Dishes
- Pots and pans
- Alarm clock
- Bedding
- Special toys
- Towels
- Lightbulbs
- Plates
- Tools – hammer, pliers, wrench
- Stop by and make arrangements for picking up your important records:
- Birth
- Doctor
- Dentist
- Legal
- Optician, optometrist
- School – make sure you get one with a raised seal
- Veterinarian
- Close out your bank accounts:
- Checking
- Savings
- Safe Deposit Box
- Start a new bank account in your new town.
- Transfer account from current bank?
- 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.
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
- Internet access
- Telephone
- Water
- Make arrangements to connect utilities at your new residence.
- Make arrangements for cleaning
- 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.
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:
- Toys and games for kids
- 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.