Keep, Give Away, Throw Away. Moving is the perfect time in your life to free your rooms of unwanted or unneeded items. Go room by room and use three categories for items you want , items you can give aways to a local charity like
Goodwill, or your local
City Mission and items that are no longer in usable condition.
Research your moving company. Research multiple moving companies and get multiple quotes. Search websites like Mover Review or Protect Your Move. Get an estimate in writing from each company, make sure the company has insurance, and make sure it has a USDOT (U.S. Department of Transportation) number on it. Coldwell Banker offers a concierge program with recommended moving companies.
Create a Moving Binder. Create a binder to keep track of everything including all of your moving expenses, your receipts, quotes received and an inventory of all the items you are moving.
Organize school records. Go to your children’s school and arrange for their records to be transferred to their new school district.
Confirm Moving Company & Arrangements. Select a company and get written confirmation of your moving dates, costs and other details.
Begin Packing and Label. Start packing the items that you use most infrequently. Label each box for the room it is destined for. Label any items that may require extra insurance, items that are valuable or fragile.
Do a change of address. Go to your local post office to fill out the forms or fill it out the online movers guide.
Notify important parties. Make a list of online financial institutions (credit cards, banks, Retirement savings) that need a change of address. Most can be changed individually online or by calling. Magazines, newspapers and other delivery services will need changed. Don’t forget websites like eBay, PayPal and Amazon that your home shipping address might need changed.
Medical records. Contact your healthcare providers for a copy of your medical history. If you already have arrangements in your new location, ask if the medical records can be forwarded.
Contact your utilities. If you are moving within the area, set up a change of service address. If you are moving out of the service area, give the companies a forwarding address to send the final bill or any refunds that are due. Return any cable equipment or make arrangements for pick up.
Pets. Make sure you contact your new areas governing board for pet regulations such as licenses, vaccinations, tags, etc.
Refill Prescriptions. Make sure all prescriptions are up to date and will carry through for the next few weeks while you are busy moving and unpacking.
Pack your suitcases. Try to finish up your general packing a few days before the move. Pack individual suitcases for everyone in the family to last a few days with all of the essentials.
Double-check the details. Reconfirm the moving company’s arrival time and other specifics and make sure you have prepared exact, written directions to your new home for the staff. Include contact information, such as your cell phone number and a back up number.
Defrost your freezer. If you are taking your refrigerator in the move, you want to prepare it properly. Empty, clean and defrost at least 24hrs prior to the move.
Plan payment arrangements. Make sure you have the proper payment ready for the movers – credit card, cashier’s check, money order etc. Don’t forget if they do a great job that tipping is acceptable.
Verify. Make sure that the moving company you hired is the one that shows up and the USDOT number matches the number on the estimate you were given.
Take inventory. Before the movers leave, sign the bill of lading/inventory list and keep a copy.
Keep expensive and personal items. Please keep these items on you on the day of moving so that they don’t get mixed in with packed items.
Planning your route. Let close friends or relatives know route and schedule you will travel, including any overnight stops. Whether you are flying or driving to your new home, it is always good to let someone know in case of emergency.
Last walkthrough. Final check of old residence: double-check closets, drawers and shelves to be sure they are empty
The last items. Leave old keys, garage door openers, broiler pans, landscape/house plans and instruction manuals needed by new owner with your agent.
