Plan Your Move

Plan your move well in advance this will help relieve some of the stress and make the whole moving process run a lot smoother. If time permits start 8-12 weeks before the actual move giving you the time to go through your belongings, hold a garage sale, start packing, use up what foods you can and contact and notify friends, relatives and others of the move.

8 weeks before moving day

• Create a file box for all moving related documents
• Shop and compare moving companies
• Organize and prepare an inventory list of items that will be moved
• For items that you will not be taking call friends, neighbors, or charities
• Check with your accountant and enquire what you can deduct on your next tax return
• Contact new Chamber of commerce for a new resident package
• Start to budget for the move

7 weeks before moving day

• Call your insurance agent to see what changes to expect in your policies for changing states.  Ask if moving is covered and arrange for insurance for your new home
• Cancel or transfer club memberships
  
  Collect and organize files for transfer:
• Medical
• School/daycare/university/college records
• Legal
• Financial
• Veterinary
• Insurance
• Vehicle

6 weeks before moving day

• Start preparing list of friends, relatives, business partners that will need to be contacted
• Start using up frozen goods
• Repair minor damages to your home

5 weeks before moving day

• Start to collect boxes and other packing supplies
• Pack items that are not used or rarely used
• Arrange a yard sale if necessary
• Take items that you are not taking, selling or giving away to the dump
• If you require storage of certain items either short term or long term make arrangements
• Inquire as to parking restrictions and procedures for the moving vehicle

4 weeks before moving day

• Notify schools
• Notify cell phone company
• Notify vehicle registration and licensing company
• Notify and cancel housecleaning services
• Notify veterinarian
• Transfer pet licenses
• Arrange for transfer of pets
• Notify and cancel lawn/garden service
• Arrange for work done at your new home if required
  
  Send out change of address forms:
• Revenue agency
• Homeowner insurance
• Health
• Life
• Auto
• Financial advisor
• Stock broker
• Credit card service
• Lawyer
• Accountant
• Doctor
• Dentist
• Veterinarian
• Magazines
• Book clubs
• Music clubs

3 weeks before moving day

• Draw up a floor plan of your new home and indicate furniture placement.
• Confirm move-in date with your real estate agent or landlord
• Collect items being cleaned, repaired, stored and loaned to friends
• Make sure you have returned all rented items
• Return library books
  
  Schedule disconnection of services:
• Phone
• Internet
• Cable
• Satellite
• Gas
• Electricity
• Water/sewer
• Newspaper
  
  Schedule connection of services:
• Phone
• Internet
• Cable
• Satellite
• Gas
• Electricity
• Water/sewer
• Prepare to transfer automobile registration

2 weeks before moving day

• Arrange a baby sitter for moving day
• Arrange care for your pets during the busy days of packing and moving
• Make arrangements for transfer of plants
• Confirm travel arrangements for both family and pets
• Dispose of poisons, flammables or corrosives
• Prepare your automobile for the trip by having it serviced
• Use up perishable foods

1 week before moving day

• Prepare items to take on your persons such as money, valuable documents, medication and jewelry etc.
• Prepare your essentials kit
• Label and set aside items and boxes that you do not want packed or removed.
• Pack your local phone book for future reference
• Confirm hotel/motel reservations if required
• Defrost and clean fridge and freezer
• Clean rugs and drapes
• Take down any fixtures that are going with you
• Drain water from garden hoses
• Drain oil and gas from garden equipment such as lawnmower, trimmer etc.
• Have utilities turned on at the new home, have meter read

Plan your move using the above guide and also review our House & Home Directory of Resources to find additional tools to help with your move.