MOVING DAY TIPS
6 WEEKS BEFORE THE MOVE:
| • | Take an objective look at what you own and decide what can be left behind. Extra weight on a moving van costs more. |  |
| • | Organize a garage sale if you have items worth selling. | |
| • | Contact moving companies and get estimates. Pay attention both to cost and what the mover will do to make your move as smooth as possible. Ask for estimates to include the option of having the company pack some or all of your belongings. The time and effort you save might be worth the cost. | |
| • | While the mover is liable for breakage to any items it packs, you are responsible for damage to items you have boxed. | |
| • | Start a central file for all the details of your move. A brightly colored organizer folder with pockets is less likely to be misplaced. Collect all receipts for moving-related expenses. Depending on the reason for the move, you may be entitled to a tax deduction. | |
| • | Draw a floor plan of your new home and consider where you’ll want to place the furniture. Mark and label specific pieces of furniture on your diagram. If a piece of furniture won’t fit, don’t take it with you. | |
| • | Make any personal travel arrangements – flights, hotel, rental cars – for your trip. | |
|
5 WEEKS BEFORE THE MOVE: |
|
| • | Select your mover and discuss dates and cost. |
| • | Decide whether you want to pack yourself or hire the mover to do it. |
| • | Start gathering boxes if you decide to pack by yourself. Your mover can provide boxes best suited for moving, including special containers for clothing on hangers, lamp shades, and dishes.
|
| 4 WEEKS BEFORE THE MOVE: | |
| • | Notify the post office, magazines, credit-card companies, friends, and family of your change of address. The U.S. Postal Service offers a kit to make this process easier. |
| • | Call utilities to schedule disconnection of gas, water, electricity, telephone, and cable TV on the day following your move. |
| • | Talk with your mover to schedule disconnection service of major appliances being moved a few days before your move. |
| • | Complete any repair work on your old home and arrange for services needed at your new home. |
| • | Start your self-packing with seldom-used items; fancy dishes, specialty cookware, nonessential clothing, curios, decorative items. |
3 WEEKS BEFORE THE MOVE:
• Inventory your everyday household goods such as radios, pots, pans, and small appliances. Decide which you will discard.
• Start your serious self-packing. Label contents of all boxes. • Make sure you have your driver’s license, auto registration, and insurance records. • Plan food purchases to have as little as possible in the freezer and refrigerator by the time you move. Use all frozen items
• Arrange to clean your new home as close to move-in as possible. • Arrange for copies of school and medical records and make bank safe-deposit arrangements in your new town.
• Hold a garage sale.
2 WEEKS BEFORE THE MOVE:
• Check with your insurance company to cancel current insurance or transfer coverage to new home. • Meet with your bank to change account status. • Transfer prescriptions to drug store in your new town. • Cancel delivery services. • Have your car serviced if you will be driving it to your new location.
1 WEEK BEFORE THE MOVE:
• Mow your lawn. • Dispose of toxic and flammable items. Drain gasoline and oil from gas-powered tools such as mowers and snow blowers. Movers won’t take them if they are full.
• Arrange for child care on moving day if you have young children. • Pack a suitcase with clothes for the move. • Put your “open first” (load last) boxes in a separate place so the mover can identify them. • Pay outstanding bills.
1 OR 2 DAYS BEFORE THE MOVE:
• Expect movers to arrive to start packing. • Empty and defrost refrigerator and freezer; clean both with disinfectant and let them air out. Put baking soda inside to keep them fresh.
• Arrange for payment to the moving company. • Empty your safe-deposit box. Plan to take important papers, jewelry, cherished family photos, irreplaceable mementos, and vital computer files with you.
• Write directions to your new home for the van operator, provide the new phone number and include numbers where you can be reached in transit.
• Leave your forwarding address and phone number for your home’s new occupants.
MOVING DAY:
• Remove linens from beds and pack in an “open first” box. • Review all details and paperwork when movers arrive. Accompany van operator to take inventory. Verify delivery plans. • Give home final cleaning.
MOVE-IN DAY:
• If you arrive before the movers, tidy up your new home. This is a good time to line cupboards with shelving paper. • Unpack your car. • Check to make sure utilities have been connected and follow up on any delays. • Confine pets in out-of-the-way room or consider boarding them overnight at a local kennel. • Plan to be present when the moving van arrives. • Assign oversight duties: One person should check the inventory sheets as items are unloaded; a second person should direct the movers on where to place items. • Once items are unloaded, unpack only what you’ll need for the first day or two. Give yourself at least two weeks to unpack and organize your belongings.
Sources: Wall Street Journal, Relocation Journal
