Getting Ready To Move

Things To Do Early

• Secure a floor plan of your new residence and decide what household items you want to keep.
• Solicit estimates from at least three moving companies.
• Call your homeowners insurance agent to find out to what degree your move is insured.
• Arrange to transfer your children's school records.
• Decide what to donate to charity and what to take.
• Notify your friends, relatives, professionals, creditors, subscriptions, etc.
• Store some things off site if necessary.
• Locate high-quality health-care professionals and hospitals in your new location.
• Send change of address to the following:
• Banks
• Charge cards
• Doctors/dentist
• Relatives and friends
• Insurance broker/lawyer/CPA/ stockbroker
• Magazines
• Post office
• Schools
• Clean your closets.
• Hold a moving/garage sale.
• Choose a mover.
• Contact your mover to make arrangements and confirm insurance coverage.
• If relocating due to a job, contact your employer to see what costs, if any, they will cover.

Next On The List

• Start packing boxes of things not needed short term and itemize their contents and which room they go to.
• Contact gas, electric, oil, water, telephone, cable TV etc., for service disconnect/connect at your old and new addresses.
• Request refunds on unused homeowner's insurance, security deposit with landlord, and prepaid cable service.
• Notify your gardener, snow removal service, and pool service (if applicable).
• Contact insurance companies (auto, homeowner's, medical, and life) to arrange for coverage in your new home.

Less Than a Month To Go

• Make your travel plans.
• Arrange to close current bank accounts and open accounts in your new locale (if necessary).
• Notify your Motor Vehicle Registration service of your new address.
• Arrange for childcare on moving day.
• For apartment dwellers, reserve the elevator for pickup and/or delivery dates.
• Arrange special transport for your pets and plants.
• Service your car for the trip.
• Contact your moving company and review arrangements for your move.

A Few More Days To Go

• Prepare detailed directions and an itinerary with emergency numbers for your moving company.
• Settle outstanding bills with local retailers. Pick up dry cleaning, and return library books and rented videotapes.
• Take pets to the veterinarian and get copies of their records.
• Drain gas and oil from power equipment.
• Give away plants not being moved.
• Cancel newspaper delivery.
• Buy two-weeks worth of medication and have your prescriptions forwarded to your new pharmacy.
• Buy traveler's checks if moving long distance.
• Make arrangements to pay for your move.

Two Days Until Moving Day

• If you're not doing it yourself, have your mover pack.
• Defrost refrigerators and freezers.
• Consider gathering all valuables and giving them to family or friends to hold until the move is completed.
• Disconnect all major appliances.
• Separate First Night Items: Sheets, Towels, Toiletries, Phone, Alarm Clock, Change of Clothes, and Flashlight.
• Mover's Survival Kit: Scissors, utility knife, coffee cups, instant coffee/tea or a coffee maker, water and soft drinks, snacks, paper plates, plastic utensils, paper towels, toilet paper, soap, pencils and paper, local phone book, masking and/or duct tape, trash bags, shelf liner, and aspirin or ibuprofen.

It's Moving Day!!

• Be home to answer any questions your mover may have.
• Record all utility meter readings (gas, electric, and water).
• Stay until your movers are finished.
• Complete information on the bill of lading and carefully read the document and the inventory sheet before signing it.
• Keep your copies of the bill of lading and inventory until your possessions are delivered, the charges are paid, and any claims are settled.
• Take one final look around to see if you forgot anything.
• Give movers the directions to your new home, and an emergency number where you can be reached during the move.

Finally, At The New House!

• Be at the destination to welcome the movers and be on hand to answer any questions.
• Carefully monitor the unloading of your items and account for each one on your inventory sheet. Check carefully for any damaged or missing.
• After the job is completed, pay what is owed.
• Focus on unpacking and working on what you will need right away, first-night items and mover's survival kit.

Enjoy!