Six Weeks Before Moving

Make an inventory of everything to be moved.

• Collect and organize items not moving with you for a garage sale or charitable donation.
• Contact the charity for date/time of pickup. Save receipts for tax records.
• Contact RELO Direct for estimates.
• Select mover, arrange for exact form of payment at destination (cash, check). Get cartons and packing materials to start packing NOW, unless you have packing services.
• Contact insurance agent to transfer/cancel insurance coverage.
• Check with employer to find out what moving expenses they will pay.

Four Weeks Before Moving

• Notify all magazines of change of address.
• Check with veterinarian for pet records and immunizations.
• Contact utility companies for refunds of deposit, set turn-off date.
• Contact broker in new community to set up utility turn-on date.
• Dry clean clothes to be moved, pack in protective wrappers.
• Collect everything you have loaned out and return everything you have borrowed.
• Service power mowers, boats, etc. that are to be moved, drain all gas/oil to prevent fire in moving van.
• Check with doctors and dentist for all family records and prescriptions.
• Get children’s school records.
• Check freezer and plan to use of food over next 2-3 weeks.
• Remove all jewelry and other valuables to a safe deposit box or other safe place to prevent loss during move.
• Give away or arrange for transportation of house plants (most moving companies will not move plants, especially in winter). Plants also can be sold at a garage sale or given as thank you gifts.

One Week Before

• Transfer or close checking and savings accounts. Arrange for cashier’s check or money order to pay moving company on arrival to new community.
• Have automobile serviced for trip.
• Fill out Post Office change of address forms, give to postmaster.
• Check and make inventory of all furniture for dents and scratches, notify moving company of your inventory and compare on final day.
• Dispose of all combustibles and spray cans (spray cans can explode or burn).
• Pack a separate carton for cleaning materials and tools.
• Separate cartons and luggage you need for personal travel.
• Organize at least one room in the house for packers and movers to work freely.
• Cancel all newspapers, landscaping services, pool service, etc.
• Review the entire list to make certain that you haven’t overlooked anything. Check and double-check everything you have done before it’s too late.

Moving Day

• Plan to spend the entire day at the house. Last minute decisions must be made by you. Don’t leave until after the movers have gone.
• Hire a sitter or send the kids to a friend’s house for the day.
• Stay with the moving van driver to oversee inventory.
• Tell packers and/or driver about fragile or precious items.
• Make a final check of the entire house- basement, closets, shelves, attic, garage, every room.
• Approve and sign Bill of Lading; if possible accompany driver to the weigh station.
• Double check with driver to make certain moving company records show the proper delivery address for your new house. Verify the scheduled delivery date, too.
• Give driver phone numbers both here and in new community to contact you in case of a problem.
• Get complete routing information form the driver and phone numbers so you can call the driver or company while en route.
• Disconnect all utilities and advise the Realtor who sold or is selling your house.
• Lock all doors and windows. Advise your Realtor and neighbors that the house is empty.