Moving Made Easy

 

Now that your new home purchase is underway and "countdown" to moving day is has begun, it's time to get ready to box up everything you own and begin the process of planning your actual move. With the proper planning and preparation, you can take some of the stress out of moving and help make your transition a smooth one.

This information is intended to provide you with a calendar of some of the things you need to consider to help you and your family move into your new home. To help you even further, our Moving Checklist will help you keep an itemized list of all the pertinent items you may need to consider to be sure you move is made easy.

  EIGHT WEEKS BEFORE THE MOVE
 
  • Select a moving company if you are using one. Be sure to find out what type of insurance the moving company provides and if your homeowners insurance policy covers "goods in transit".
  • Begin deciding what gets moved. Sort through your belongings and plan a garage sale if you have a lot of things worth selling or donate unwanted items.
  • Compile an inventory of your household and personal possessions to be moved. Create a floor plan of your new home and begin thinking about where you'll want to place your furniture.
 
  SIX WEEKS BEFORE THE MOVE
 
  • Write to the Chamber of Commerce in the new town for information on schools, parks and recreational opportunities.
  • Obtain school, medical, tax and legal records. Ask for referrals.
  FOUR WEEKS BEFORE THE MOVE
 
  • Start using items that are not transportable, such as frozen food or cleaning supplies.
  • Obtain an official Change of Address kit from the U.S. Post Office and follow their instructions. Check out their website at www.usps.gov.
  • Notify the IRS and let them know your new address. Call 800/829-3676 to get form #8833 or go to the IRS website at www.irs.gov.
  • Contact utility and related service companies (such as telephone, gas, electric, cable, water, trash removal, etc.) to confirm the specific date on which to discontinue services. Make sure to keep the electric, telephone and water connected through your moving day. Contact utility companies to confirm turn-on-dates.
  • Notify additional household services -- lawn care, security companies, newspaper delivery, etc. -- of your vacating date and make your final payment arrangements.
  • Arrange for the transfer of all medical records and get copies of all your prescriptions.
 
  THREE WEEKS BEFORE THE MOVE
 
  • Make personal travel arrangements for your moving trip and have your automobile serviced if traveling by car.
  • Contact schools and arrange for records to be forwarded to your new school district.
  • Arrange to close and open bank accounts if needed.
  • Begin packing. Label the contents of all boxes and pack carefully. Be sure to identify boxes to easily retrieve important items like kitchen essentials, bedding, towels, and essential items for children.
 
  TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE MOVE
 
  • Reconfirm all arrangements with the moving company. If the building you are moving into or out of has an elevator, be sure to coordinate a time to use it for your move.
  • Check with your insurance company to cancel current coverage or transfer coverage to your new home.
  ONE WEEK BEFORE THE MOVE
 
  • Drain fluids from gasoline-powered equipment, such as a lawn mover or snowblower.
  • Properly dispose of flammables, such as paints, motor oils, bleaches, matches, insecticides, gasoline, cleaning and lighting fluids, and any other hazardous materials.
  • Plan a "survival kit" of necessary items that should go in your car and not the moving van (medications, toiletries, towels, pet food, glasses/contacts, moving information, etc.).
  • Make arrangements to keep valuables safe (such as checkbook, legal documents, jewelry, money, insurance policies, cherished family photos, irreplaceable mementos, computer files, etc.)
 
  TWO TO THREE DAYS BEFORE THE MOVE
 
  • Empty and defrost the refrigerator/freezer.
  • If your old home will be sitting vacant for any period of time, notify police and neighbors.
  • Empty your safe deposit box if needed.
  • Confirm the arrival of the moving van.
  MOVING DAY
 
  • When the mover arrives, review all the details and paperwork. Accompany the foreman to take inventory. Verify delivery plans and provide directions to your new home. Include phone numbers where you can be reached in transit.
  • Check to make sure utilities have been connected and follow up on any delays.
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