Items can get damaged in the move, so appraise your most expensive pieces and have them insured.
Start going through all of your things to figure out what’s going with you. Reserve items for self storage, sale, donation, and trash. This is a great time to get your unit rented, as well.
Depending on when you’re moving, it might be good to set up a garage sale to help get rid of as much as possible in one or two days.
When you call your insurance company to get moving insurance, make sure you set the date to transfer your policies to your new area on your auto, home and any other policies.
Update your address with all active accounts, like bank, schools, doctors, etc. If you’re moving out of the area, get a copy of all of those records to take with you, as many require written consent to print records. Save them in a folder inside a locked filing cabinet.
Set up last visits to the vet and doctors for pets and family; this is also a great time to get those records.
Make sure you have enough medications to cover the transition period until finding a new doctor, if necessary, and set your new pharmacy to one close to your new place.
Start setting up travel plans for family and pets. That means scheduling flights, setting up car rentals, or reserving hotel rooms where necessary.
Since moving expenses are tax deductible, make sure to save all of your related receipts over the coming weeks.
Start collecting as much moving supplies as possible. Boxes, tape, scissors, labels, bubble wrap, and more. Keep it consolidated in one place so things don’t start getting lost.
Begin packing nonessential items. Seasonal clothing, décor, sports equipment, and items in the basement and garage are some examples. Label everything based on items in the boxes and rooms they will go into. If the item is fragile or needs to be loaded first or last, include that on the label.
Call utility companies, internet and cable services, home phone, and any other services and set the date for transfer.
Determine where kids and pets are going the day of the move, and make any necessary arrangements.
Do you know where all your furniture will go in the new house? Now’s a great time to figure this out, because you may find that you are lacking pieces, or need to find new furniture options. Plus, the movers will not move anything around for you so knowing what goes where ahead of time will save the headache (and back ache) later.
Inform your home services such as lawn care and cleaners that you will be moving and schedule one final service right before you move.
Do you need a new license or car registration? Find out the requirements make the switch.
If you plan on doing any changes to the new location, schedule that now. Carpet cleaning, painting, or anything that would be easier done prior to settling in.
You should be down to essentials left to pack, so start cleaning empty or near-empty rooms.
All valuable items like jewelry should be packed separately and moved by you to ensure you don’t lose them.
Here 10 Best MoverGet your records in order. Make copies of the important items and pack those up.
Give your neighbors back their Tupperware, return books, and just generally ensure you aren’t taking anything with you that belongs to someone else.
Prepare appliances that are going with you for the move.
It’s finally time to start packing essential items, like kitchenware, clothing, bathroom items and the rest.
Label a few boxes to go with you personally, and include items like cell phone charges, tool kits, scissors, flashlight, trash bags, toilet paper, linens, and toiletries.
Save several outfits for each family member in case the move does not go as planned. Make arrangements for sleeping and eating, for the same reasons.
Finalize everything with your real estate agent, ensuring closing is going ahead as planned.
Gather together garage door openers, alarm codes, keys, and any other necessary information for your real estate agent.
Prepare your appliances and outdoor grills for the move.
Back up any computers and put the hardware in special boxes labeled for your own car to make sure they aren’t exposed long term to high or low temperatures.
Get rid of all of your garage chemicals and treatments. Cleaning supplies can go with you.
Call the moving company for final confirmation and remember to grab cash to give each mover a tip – about $20 a mover.
Exchange phone numbers with your movers and provide them a map to your new place with the address.
Read the mover’s paperwork carefully and get everything signed.
Clean out the fridge and freezer, and put a box of baking soda inside (this prevents and eliminates any odor issues).
Take out any final trash once the movers have left to go to the new place.
