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This page was updated on
November 15, 2006
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Moving Checklist
To Do ASAP
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Get rid of unwanted items and items you don't want to move (e.g. yard sale, donation,
etc.; this is a perfect excuse for decluttering your house; the less you
have, the less you have to move)
- Start collecting packing materials
- If you're moving yourself:
- Start comparing prices for truck / trailer rental and reserve one
immediately
- Recruit family and friends to help pack, load, drive, unload,
etc. (If you have small children, get a volunteer to help take
care of your children while you are running around with boxes)
- If you're hiring professional movers:
- Start calling around for estimates and briefly interview the
company over the phone as well as research their background (i.e.
check out the Better Business Bureau, get referrals, etc.) and narrow down your list of potential movers
to only those you trust and offer a good value (use the Estimates Log in
the Printables).
- Have each company come to your home to do a formal written
estimate
- After you receive your formal estimates, chose the moving company
that's best for you
- Get moving insurance
- Read your contract carefully before you sign to make sure there
are no unexpected charges or provisions
- Start packing items you don't plan to use before you move
into your new home (pack at least one box every day)
- Make special arrangements for moving pets if necessary
(some places require animals to have certain shots or even quarantine)
4 Weeks to Go
- Make a list of companies and organizations you'll need to notify of your address
and phone number change and find out if there are any special forms you need
to fill out to update your information after you move
- Employer
- Union
- School
- Alumni Association
- Current Landlord (if renting)
- Buyers (if selling your home)
- Banks (get new checks after the move)
- Investment Brokers
- IRS and local tax boards
- Social Security
- VA
- Credit Card Providers
- Lenders
- Insurance
- Doctors
- Pharmacist
- Dentists
- Veterinarian
- Attorney
- Accountant
- Library
- Childcare
- Mobile Phone Service
- Newspaper and Magazine Subscriptions
- Memberships
- Points and Rewards Programs
- Delivery Services
- Make a list of individuals (family, friends, etc.) you'll need to
notify of your address and phone number change
- Start using up perishable foods in your freezer and refrigerator,
food in your pantry, and extra supplies so you don't have to move them
- Use up any coupons or gift certificates that you can't use
in your new town
- Start a list of items you will need to buy when you get to
your new home (e.g. items you are trying to use up before the move, items to
childproof your home, etc.)
- Return all borrowed and rented items
- Collect all items you've loaned and rented out
- Take your pets to the vet and find out if there is any
special requirement for your pets' travel
3 Weeks to Go
- Start gathering all medical, dental, educational, legal, etc. records as
well as the contents of your safe deposit box and store them in a fireproof
lockbox or have them sent directly to the new office that will be handling
them in your new town
- Schedule move-out services for one or two days after you move out of your
old home (e.g. professional cleaning; exterminator; repair; flooring,
painting, etc.)
- Schedule move-in services for one or two days before you move into your
new home
- Schedule utilities to be disconnected from your old home the day after
your move
- Schedule utilities to be installed at your new home the day before
your move
- Schedule appliances to be disconnected from your old home
- Schedule appliance to be installed at your new home
2 Weeks to Go
- Create a Moving Survival Kit (bring this kit with you; do not let the
movers pack it)
- Have your vehicles serviced (especially if you are driving
to your new home)
- Prepare your tools, lawn mower, gardening equipment, etc.
for the move
- Transfer your prescriptions and make sure you have enough
medication on hand until the next refill
1 Week to Go
- Confirm appointments for move-out and move-in services
- Confirm schedule with movers / reservations for truck / trailer rental
- Type out directions for movers / each person driving
- Forward your mail (Go to https://moversguide.usps.com
to do it online or visit your local post office.)
- Clean out freezer and defrost
- Clean out refrigerator (use only for last minute perishable items you plan
to eat during your last week)
- Drain oil and gas from equipment like barbeques, lawn
mowers, chainsaws, etc.
- Properly dispose of any toxic or flammable items that you
can't take with you
- Finish packing most remaining items that will not be packed by movers
- Try to live out your travel survival kit during the last couple of days,
so you can pack up everything else
- Buy maps of your new home's area
- Have kids clean out school lockers
1 Day to Go
- Mail out address and phone number change notifications to
businesses, organizations, family, and friends
- Thoroughly clean your old home if you don't plan on using a
professional cleaning service after you move out
- Make sure you have enough cash on hand to purchase meals
from restaurants (since you won't be able to cook until you settle in)
- Make sure you tell a friend or family member your itinerary
in case of an emergency
Moving Day (Before you leave your old home)
- Load the truck
- Turn off and unplug all appliances, sprinkler systems, air conditioning,
etc.
- Turn down heat to 55 degrees Fahrenheit in winter to keep pipes from
freezing
- Close and lock all windows
- Close all blinds and drapes
- Leave on one interior light and one exterior light to make the house look
occupied and provide light to new tenants who may arrive at night
- Take one last look around to make sure you have everything
even if you think you have everything (check every inch, every
closet, drawer, cabinet, shelf, storage area, porch, yard, dishwasher,
washer, dryer, refrigerator, freezer, etc.)
- Give alarm code and keys to realtor, landlord, new owner, etc.
Moving Day (After you arrive in your new home)
- If you have small children, childproof your home before
anything gets unloaded off the truck (e.g. outlet locks, blind cords, gates,
etc.) because your little one will end up running around at some point no
matter how hard you try to keep them out of harms way; try to set up a child
safe room where your little one can play and relax in until things settle
down and the house is more organized
- Tell movers where things go (if not labeled on box)
- Check movers inventory paperwork carefully before you sign
anything
- Set up the bed first (so you will have a place to get a
good night's sleep after your hectic day)
- Set up the kitchen second (so you can stop eating take-out
from restaurants)
- Set up the bathroom third (so you don't have to fumble
around through boxes in the middle of the night while you are half asleep
and desperately need to use the bathroom)
- Set up decorations last
Getting Settled In
- Talk a walk around the neighborhood to get familiar with
the area
- Get public transportation schedules
- Get new emergency numbers
- Change driver licenses
- Change voter registration
- Order new checks with your new address (do this after you
move since they are usually shipped to the address printed on the check)
- Get new pet license
- Enroll kids in school
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