Six Weeks Before Moving

Make an inventory of everything to be moved. Collect everything not to be moved for a garage sale or charitable donation. Contact the charity for date/time of pickup. Save receipts for tax records. 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 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. Remove all jewelry and other valuables to a safe deposit box 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 your newspapers and lawn service.

Moving Day

Plan to spend the entire day at the house. Last minute decisions must be made by you. Do not leave until after the movers have gone. Hire a sitter or send the kids to a friends 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. Make sure movers have your cell phone number! 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.