Even if you are just moving down the street, there are still a lot of things to do when moving. Follow this checklist to make sure you don’t forget anything!
2-3 Months Before the Move
• Create a moving binder. Keep all receipts, quotes, inventory lists, and documents here.
• Sort through your belongings. Get rid of items that you don’t want or arrange for them to be donated.
• Figure out your moving budget.
• Research moving companies. After you’ve narrowed down a few, you will need to get an on-site price estimate.
• Gather packing supplies. You will need boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, tissue paper, labels and markers.
• Gather documents, including school records, medical records, birth certificates, and other vital documents.
• Note any belongings which may be difficult to move or pack. Obtain packing materials for these or arrange for the moving company to pack them.
• Take measurements. Make sure your furniture will fit through doors or windows of the new home. Create a floor plan for furniture.
• Research any changes to insurance policies
One Month Before the Move
• Choose your moving company. Confirm moving dates, price, and services.
• Update your address. You will need to fill out a change of address form with the post office and also notify all banks, schools, utilities, and medical professionals, as well as friends and family.
• Contact utility companies. Arrange for utilities to be shut off at your old home a few days after you leave, and turned on in your new home a few days before you arrive.
• Fix up new home. If you need to paint or do any repairs, do this now. You may also want to hire an exterminator.
• Use up perishable items and items which can’t be taken with you, such as cleaning supplies.
• Begin packing items which you don’t use often.
• Separate out items which you will move yourself, such as valuables.
• Forward all relevant documents, like school records.
• Take inventory of belongings. Write down serial numbers of valuable items and/or take pictures of them for documentation.
• Arrange for pet transportation and get any checkups or vaccinations
Two Weeks Before the Move
• Confirm arrangements with moving company
• Pack up belongings.
• Empty safe deposit box from bank.
• Tune up car
• Clean your new home
• Refill prescriptions
• Confirm shutoff and turn-on with utility companies
• Arrange for someone to look after young children and pets on moving day
One Week Before the Move
• Continue packing
• Disassemble furniture (if doing this yourself)
• Pack a “survival bag” with all items you need for first few days in new home
• Designate a few boxes as “open first” so you don’t have to search for dishes and other needed items
• Plan meals for moving day. Get phone numbers for delivery services near new home.
• Dispose of any items which can’t be moved, such as gas cans or propane
A Few Days Before the Move
• Defrost your freezer
• Reconfirm details with moving company
• Arrange for payments, including paying the moving company, accommodation, and any other expenses.
Moving Day
• Confirm that the moving company which arrives is the same one you hired
• Take an inventory and sign the bill before the moving company leaves
• Do a walkthrough of the home before you leave
• If renting, take pictures of the old place and, before moving your belongings in, of the new place
• Remember to lock all doors and windows before leaving, shut off all lights, and unplug remaining appliances