Checklist!

While this may not be a comprehensive checklist of things to do before you move, it’s a start. Tasks listed here may remind you of other important details unique to your move.

Four weeks prior to move

  • Invite family and friends to help you with the move.
  • Have a garage sale.
  • Donate un-needed furniture to charity.
  • Contact insurance company to transfer policies (life, auto, homeowners).
  • Contact doctors, dentists and other care providers for copies of medical records,
  • Contact schools for copies of student records.

Three weeks prior to move

  • Review tax deductions on moving expenses.
  • Arrange cut-off date for utility companies (telephone, gas, electricity, water, garbage, cable television).
  • Request change of address kit from post office.
  • Check out voter registration information for the new area.

Two weeks prior to move

  • Transfer stocks, bonds, bank accounts and contents of safe deposit boxes.
  • Prepare a list of clothing and essentials that will not be packed with household goods.
  • Confirm what time family and friends should be available to help.

One week prior to move

  • Find or purchase boxes for the move.
  • Label all sides of boxes for easy reference later (when they are all stacked together).
  • Include room identification in the label (e.g. kitchen or kid’s bedroom) to make the unloading process easier.
  • Label items you will need to access easily and place them in a separate room or closet.
  • Clean out your refrigerator and let it air out at least 24 hours before moving.
  • Drain outdoor equipment: Water hoses, propane tank from BBQ grill, gas and oil from lawnmowers.
  • Properly discard aerosols, paint, oils and other flammable or toxic chemicals at your local hazardous waste center.
  • Schedule with utility companies to have utilities turned on at your new home.
  • Get snacks and water for family and friends to munch on during the move. Everyone will stay energized—and hydrated!

Moving day

  • Relax.
  • Remember, items packed last will be unloaded first, so if you’ll need to access something right away pack it last. Definitely remember to have bathroom tissue and paper towels in a convenient place.
  • Include time for snacks, water, and food during the day for you and helpers.
  • Conduct a final review of the house, including attic, stairwells, closets, cupboards, storage, garage and behind doors.
  • If nothing else gets put away, at least set up beds in each room. After a long day of moving, you’ll want a comfortable, familiar place to sleep. Everything else can wait.