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Moving? The Ultimate Moving Checklist

The stress of moving can seem overwhelming.  There are dozens of tasks to accomplish and scores of things to keep track of.  The good news is that a well-organized checklist can do wonders to manage all that information.  This article details the best of the moving checklists online or in print.

== 4 Weeks Prior to Move: Organizing ==

Set the date.

Mondays – Thursdays are your best choices so that banks and offices are open in case you have a problem.

 

Arrange for utility transfers.

Notify current and future utility providers of your move date. Note when current security deposits will be refunded and how much is due when for the new ones. This includes:

__ Cable/satellite television

__ Cell phone service

__ Electricity

__ Gas

__ Internet/broadband

__ Local phone service

__ Long distance phone service

__ Propane

__ Recycling pick-up

__ Sewer

__ Security system

__ Trash pick-up

__ Water

NOTE: It’s a good idea to schedule utility “turn on dates” at least one day prior to the move date and “turn off dates” at least one day after the move to allow for emergencies or issues that may arise.

 

File change of address.

At minimum, file a Temporary Change of Address with the U.S. Post Office to buy you time before you notify everyone else.

You can file online at http://www.MoversGuide.com or call 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777) (both have a $1 fee), or go to the local Post Office and complete form PS 3575.

 

Make sure you have enough cash.

Most moving companies insist on being paid in cash before they unload a single box. Be sure have the correct amount with you with moving expenses, deposits, tips, and anything else you’ll need on moving day.

 

Start a “change of address log.”

Create a change of address log by writing down who you receive mail from each day. Then contact those organizations with your change of address each morning or evening. This breaks up the task and helps make sure you aren’t missing important contacts.

 

Notify specific people of your change of address.

Some of the people who might need your change of address include:

__ Accountant/tax preparer

__ Alumni associations

__ Attorneys

__ Babysitter/ child care provider

__ Banks (auto loans, checking accounts, credit cards, home equity, IRA’s, mortgage, safe deposit box, savings account)

__ Broker

__ Business cards (order new ones)

__ Cell phone provider

__ Child care/ daycare

__ Chiropractor

__ Courts, especially for traffic tickets or local disputes

__ Credit bureaus

__ Credit card issuers

__ Dentist

__ Department of Motor Vehicles

__ Diaper service

__ Doctor

__ Dry cleaning pick-up and delivery

__ Family members

__ Health clubs

__ House cleaning service

__ House of worship

__ Insurance providers (auto, health, life, other vehicles)

__ IRS (form 8822)

__ Lawn care

__ Luggage tags (replace existing ones)

__ Magazine subscriptions

__ New business cards

__ New employer

__ Newspaper subscriptions

__ Old employer

__ Orthodontist

__ Parent-teacher association

__ Passport

__ Pet sitter/ dog walker/ pet day care

__ Pharmacy (BONUS: get year-to-date expense summary for taxes)

__ Physical therapist

__ Physician (BONUS: get referral for new location)

__ Post office

__ Professional organizations

__ Retirement plan holders

__ Return address labels (order new ones)

__ Schools (BONUS: get copies of transcripts)

__ Snow removal service

__ Social Security Administration

__ Swimming pool maintenance (pool cleaning, pool opening or closing)

__ Swimming pool memberships

__ Veterinarian BONUS get vet records and recommendations

__ Water delivery service

 

 

== 4 Weeks Prior to Move: Resources and Packing ==

Hire movers or reserve the truck.

If you will be using professional movers, see http://www.Movers-Edge.com/Movers-s/2.htm for details on finding movers.

 

Recruit help for the move.

If you're moving yourself, start recruiting friends, family, neighbors and co-workers well in advance. Offer free breakfast, lunch, snacks, and drinks for your workforce, and be sure to deliver as promised!

 

Get the essential moving supplies.

 At minimum, you will need:

__ Markers to label boxes (preferably wide tip, dark color)

__ Moving boxes

__ Newsprint, packing peanuts or other cushioning material

__ Packing tape

__ Scissors or utility knife

 

Make a moving organizer.

You can make a moving organizer for all your important notes, receipts, and important information by getting:

__ Binder, 3-ring, at least ½” wide

__ Pocket dividers to separate sections and hold important receipts

__ Paper for keeping all your notes (3-holed graph paper is ideal for this).

 

Start packing!

For complete packing tips, see http://www.Movers-Edge.com/Packing-Tips-s/1.htm.  NOTE: Almost everyone under-estimates how much time it takes to pack, so start early and leave plenty of extra time.

  

Start separating cherished items from the non-essential.

One of the biggest secrets of moving success is eliminating as many items from the move as possible. Donate items to charity, give them to friends, prepare them for a yard sale or throw them out.

 

== 2 Weeks Prior To Moving ==

 

Make arrangements to return items.

Here are some critical items to return prior to moving:

__ Cable/ satellite receiver boxes, remote controls, dishes

__ Cable/DSL modems

__ Carpet shampooer

__ Clothing (borrowed)

__ DVD and video game rentals

__ Library books (neighborhood and school)

__ Tools (borrowed or rented)

__ Trash cans/ recycle bins

__ Unwanted purchases

 

 

Make arrangements to retrieve items.

Be sure to retrieve any of the following items:

__ Clothing at dry cleaners, tailors or in storage

__ Clothing lent to friends

__ Items at repair shops

__ Tools lent to neighbors or friends

 

Open bank accounts near your new address.

You may want to open a new safe deposit box at the same time, and move all vital papers and/or jewelry into the box in advance. That way you don’t have to worry about them on moving day.

  

Create one “Open Me First” box for each room.

You’ll need to access certain packed items almost immediately after you arrive, and they need to be packed together in special boxes (one per room) and marked with either bright red markers or special stickers so you can spot them easily. The specific rooms are:

Kitchen:

__ aluminum foil

__ break-proof or disposable flatware, cups, and plates

__ coffee maker (don’t forget the filters!)

__ dish detergent

__ frying pan and spatula

__ pet food and bowels

__ scissors

__ tea kettle

 

Main Bathroom:

__ bath mat

__ bath towels

__ first-aid kit (aspirin, band-aids, hydrogen peroxide)

__ hair dryer

__ shampoo

__ shower curtain and rings

__ soap

__ toothbrushes and toothpaste

 

 

Tool room or drawer:

__ batteries

__ duct tape

__ flashlight

__ flat-head screwdriver

__ hammer

__ level

__ Phillips-head screwdriver

__ picture hangers

__ tape measure

__ utility knife

 

Finish off packing for “non-living” rooms.

You want to be completed for non-essential rooms such as the basement, garage, attic, utility rooms, etc. so you can focus on main living areas in the last weeks.

 

Start eating up perishable food from freezer and refrigerator.

Consider holding a “Packing Party.”

Invite trusted friends over for a “Farewell Packing Party.” Provide free food and drinks, provide upbeat background music, and allow friends to tackle projects that require little supervision, such as packing books or pots and pans. Have friends take pictures and send you copies.

 

Hold a yard sale.

You might be surprised to learn that you can earn a few hundred dollars by selling non-essential items, earning you cash and making your move more efficient.

 

== 1 Week Prior to Moving Day ==

 

Confirm start time, current home address and future home address with movers.

Even if you already have this information, it’s a good idea to double-check. It's also wise to ask who you can contact (name and phone number) if the movers don't show up on-time, since the start of the move may be well before the movers' offices open.

 

Recruit friends for “moving day madness.”

 Having extra help for last-minute errands or helping to watch movers and answer questions can be invaluable.

 

Make arrangements for child and/or pet sitting.

 Having small children and pets watched on Moving Day can eliminate a lot of stress and confusion on the big day, especially while taking care of all the other important details.

 

== 1 Day Prior to Moving Day ==

 

Make sure everyone’s cell phone is fully charged.

Moving Day would be a bad day to be out of contact.

 

Have everyone pack one or two suitcases or a knapsack (no more).

Even if you’re only moving across the street, having a suitcase with the following, taken with you instead of on the moving truck if possible, will make things easier once you move in:

 __ Eyeglasses

__ Favorite toy for the kids

__ Prescriptions

__ Something to read

__ Three days’ worth of changes of clothes

__ Toothbrush and toothpaste (if not in “Open Me First” box)

 

 == Moving Day ==

 

Start early.

Moving is stressful enough without waking up late and running around with movers waiting outside.

 

Take all garbage out of the house.

Movers get into huge trouble for leaving anything behind. So many people have been shocked to find their garbage packed into their garbage cans and sent along for the move!

 

Make sure drivers have your cell phone number and you have theirs, along with their names.

Things come up on moving day- make sure you have a way to stay in contact.

 

Be available for movers’ questions.

You need to be visible and available at all times- near the door is usually a good spot.

  

Perform final checks before leaving current home.

Here are some final items to verify before shutting the door for the last time:

• Are the air conditioning, fans, and heat turned off?
• Is the water shut off, including to hoses?
• Are the light switches turned off?
• Are the keys and garage door openers for current home turned in or left on the kitchen counter?
• Anything left in refrigerator, freezer, stove, drawer under stove, in closets, in bathroom, under porch, in garage, in attic, in crawlway?
• Did you pack your hoses and sprinklers?

 

Use this checklist to help manage the details of your upcoming relocation, and enjoy your move!

You can get your free moving checklist, moving tips and advice at our parent site, http://Movers-Edge.com.  And please vist our free moving blog at http://www.MovingHQ.wordpress.com.

About the Author

T. Scott Clendaniel is a consultant, speaker and writer. He is the veteran of over 16 lifetime moves, including two across the Pacific. He is also the founder of the website Movers-Edge.com. You can get your free moving checklist, moving tips and advice at our parent site, http://Movers-Edge.com. And please vist our free moving blog at http://www.MovingHQ.wordpress.com.

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