SIX WEEKS BEFORE YOU MOVE
- Start to prepare your mailing list of people who need your change of address
- Notify banks, savings accounts, schools and institutions, credit card companies, magazine subscriptions, loyalty cards, hire purchase and rental companies
- If traveling internationally o Start to validate passports, birth/marriage certificates and other family documentation o Apply for visas/ensure visas are renewed/valid o Check voltage/wattage requirements to ensure that electrical goods will work in your new home
- Begin search for good health-care professionals in your new location.
- Fill out post-office change of address cards.
- Send your new address to anyone that might need it -- insurance agents, credit card companies, magazine subscriptions, friends, relatives, etc.
- Clean out closets and dispose of all items that you will not be taking with you.
- Hold a moving/garage sale or donate items to charities.
FOUR WEEKS BEFORE YOU MOVE
- Talk to your mover to start making packing preparations
- If your mover is doing the packing, arrange for it to be done at least two prior to loadings.
- Send furniture, drapes and carpets for repair or cleaning as needed.
- Gather valuable personal papers that you may need at your final destination location, including medical and dental records, school records, birth certificates, etc.
- Make travel reservations, i.e., hotels/motels.
- Make sure your pet's vaccinations are up to date
- Start packing your clothes, and selecting appropriate travel clothes depending on destination
- Start to dismantle climbing frames/garden furniture
- Make arrangements of connection of services at your new home, i.e., cable, DSL, security etc.
- Return library books.
TWO WEEKS BEFORE YOU MOVE
- Arrange to move pets.
- Arrange to have utilities (gas, electric, phone, cable, water, etc.) disconnected in your present home, and connected at your new home.
- Ready car registration and insurance records for transfer.
- Notify State Motor Vehicle Bureau of your new address.
- Arrange for child care on moving day.
- If necessary, reserve apartment elevator for pickup and/or delivery dates.
- Check with mover about moving house plants. (Some movers will not move plants.)
- Dispose of all items too dangerous to move, including flammable liquids.
- If necessary, have your automobile serviced and ready for the trip.
ONE WEEK BEFORE YOU MOVE
- Cancel newspaper delivery.
- Have enough medication to last at least two weeks. Have prescriptions forwarded to a pharmacy at your final destination.
- Ensure all cartons are packed, sealed and clearly labeled ready for collection.
- Check your/families medication for travel period and at least two to four weeks at new destination.
- Defrost the refrigerator/freezer
- Clean garden tools, movers, bicycles, and any other gardening/household equipment
- Identify items you need for personal travel
- Make arrangements to pay for your move.
- Withdraw items and close safety deposit boxes.
- Pack valuable items such as jewelry, vital documents, money, passport and other important documents safely.
- Collect any dry cleaning or laundry
- Ensure fuel is drained from fuel driven appliances such as lawn movers, etc.
MOVING DAY
- Go over inventory of your household goods with movers.
- Ensure bill of lading is carefully read and completed. Keep copies for yourself.
- Keep the bill of lading until your possessions are delivered, the charges are paid, and any claims are settled.
- Before the van leaves, take one final look through the house to make certain nothing has been left behind.
- Give the driver directions to your new home with your contact information in case of emergencies.
- Make sure all gas cylinders have been emptied, your local garage may assist. Please do not do this task yourself.
DELIVERY DAY
- Ensure that you pay the driver before your goods can be unloaded. As this is a Federal requirement for interstate moves.
- Supervise unloading and unpacking to ensure fragile goods are handled carefully.
- Look for any damages that could have occurred while transporting.
- Do a quick inventory check for missing items.
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