moving_checklist

2 Weeks before Moving Day

  • Notify schools and arrange for the transfer of school records and transcripts.
  • Contact the IRS or your accountant regarding forms and information about tax-deductible moving expenses.
  • Cancel deliveries (newspaper, diapers, laundry, etc.).
  • Cancel or transfer membership in religious, civic, and athletic organizations.
  • Finalize arrangements with the moving company. If your moving company is packing your belongings, arrange for packing to be done 1-2 days before the actual moving day.
  • Arrange for child care on a moving day.
  • Dispose of items you do not want to bring or that your moving company cannot transport (flammables).
    • Hold a garage sale or sell online.
    • Donate to charity (tax-deductible) or give away to friends and relatives.
    • Bulky items pick up or drop off – check with your local garbage disposal company.
  • Drop off recycled household chemicals, oil, batteries, etc. – check with your local garbage disposal company.
  • If you are moving out of a high-rise building, contact the property manager and reserve the elevator for moving day. Secure parking for the moving truck.
  • Arrange to remove “installed items” you bring, like a TV antenna or shelves.
  • Change of address
    • Fill out change of address forms with the US postal service, Social Security Administration, IRS, and DMV
    • Friends and relatives
    • Subscriptions
    • Charge and credit card accounts
    • Frequent flyer programs
    • Brokers and mutual funds
    • Insurance agents/companies
    • Medical insurance
    • Catalogs you want to keep receiving
    • Charities
    • Memberships in professional and religious organizations or gym

4 Days before Moving Day

  • Stop watering your plants to avoid spillage during the move.
  • Confirm the date and time of your move with the moving company.
  • Return any cable equipment.
  • Cancel utilities (gas, electric, cable, phone, water, garbage; transfer services, if possible, or arrange new services).

1 Day before Moving Day

  • Take down curtains and curtain rods.
  • Empty, defrost, and clean your refrigerator. Make sure it has at least 24 hours to air dry.
  • Clean and air your stove.
  • Have the moving company pack your belongings (or finish packing if you do your own).
  • Plan your breakfast. Paper plates are fine. Eating something on the road is better.
  • Pack your personal belongings except for your alarm clock.
  • Go to bed early to prepare for an early start on a moving day.
  • Pack a special box with other essentials you will need for the first few days (Make sure to mark this box “DO NOT MOVE”).

Moving day

    • Collect all keys to locking items. Put them in a safe place.
    • Walk around with the crew chief.
    • Keep your signed bill of lading in an easily accessible place.

Ensure the movers have the correct delivery address and phone and cellular numbers.

  • Before the moving crew leaves your old location, take a final look through your old location to make certain nothing has been left behind. Check all closets and cabinets.

Things To Do After Moving In

  • Open bank accounts.
  • Open a safe deposit box account.
  • Begin deliveries (newspaper, diapers, laundry).
  • Register to vote.
  • Change driver’s license.
  • Change auto registration.
  • Install new batteries in existing smoke detectors (and install any additional needed smoke detectors) and buy fire extinguisher.
  • Hold a housewarming party for the folks who helped you find your home and your moving company helpers.