SIX WEEKS BEFORE MOVING

• Contact several moving companies for written estimates. A personal referral from someone you trust is always a good source. Check the policy of the company you choose as to which items they will pack for you and which items they won't move. Request information about their insurance coverage. Make sure you understand how you will be required to pay them (cash or certified check) so you are prepared at your new location. Get appraisals of high value items in case of future claims. If the moving company is going to be packing for you, make your own inventory of everything to be moved.
• Moving yourself? Make arrangements for truck rental, moving help and packing supplies (boxes, packing materials, packing tape, markers and twine).
• Gather cartons and packing materials, and begin packing immediately. Label all cartons by room and mark "Open First" on those boxes containing important items to be unpacked first (dishes, pots and pans, alarm clock, bedding, special toys, towels, light bulbs, tools, toiletries).
• Request marriage, birth, baptismal and school records (with raised seal).

FOUR WEEKS BEFORE MOVING

• Contact your insurance agent for transfer or cancellation of coverage on household goods, personal possessions and automobiles. You will need coverage at your new home as well as en route.
• Inquire about your new state's auto licensing procedure.
• Contact your local post office to complete a change of address form. In addition, send your change of address to:
  • family
  • friends
  • magazines
  • subscriptions
  • newspapers (cancel local delivery)
  • banks
  • credit card companies and charge accounts
  • stores
  • service organizations and clubs to which you belong
  • past employers for W-2 forms
• Service appliances to be moved.
• Service your power lawn equipment, making sure to drain all gasoline and oil to prevent mishaps.
• If your car or other possessions are not fully paid for, seek permission to move them. This would include leased cars.
• Pick up copies of your family's medical, dental and shot records, as well as eyeglass prescriptions and x-rays. In addition, check with your doctor(s) for all prescriptions. Contacting a pharmacy in the area to which you are moving might be very helpful.
• Contact your veterinarian for pet records and immunization. Ask your realtor about regulations for licenses, vaccinations, tags, etc. in your new area.
• Ask the realtor in your new area about deposits required and remit the same for installation of telephone and other utility services (gas, electric, water and cable).
• Dry-clean and pack clothes and rugs in protective wrapping.
• Sell, donate or hold a garage sale for unwanted items.
• Start a bank account in your new town (checks ordered, etc.). Can you transfer the account from your current bank?
• Contact your child's new school. What is required for registration?

ONE WEEK BEFORE MOVING

• Use up perishable foods.
• Request readings for gas, electric and water from the proper utility companies and make arrangements for a refund of deposits. Give new address for final billing.
• Cancel telephone, cable TV (return box, if necessary), garbage pickup, diaper and laundry service, lawn and snow removal services.
• Request service for gas, electric, water, telephone, cable, and garbage pick up in your new location. Make arrangements for deposits, if required.
• Transfer, or close, all checking and savings accounts. Purchase traveler's checks for possible expenses while en route. Make arrangements for Certificate of Deposits that will mature after your move. Remember to arrange for payment for the moving company at this time.
• Make arrangements for all items in your safety deposit box. Once in your possession, keep them separated from other packed items. (See section on Vital Documents.)
• Service your automobiles.
• Clean all your appliances. Keep a little charcoal in the refrigerator to dispel odors.
• Dispose or drain any flammable items (lawn mower/snow blower gasoline, paint and aerosol cans).
• Prepare luggage for overnight travel while en route to your new home. In addition, prepare a carton with a few days worth of clothes, shampoo, toothpaste, soap and tissues, Band-Aids, pet foods - as well as any other items you will need the first few days in your new home.
• Make travel arrangements for pets and plants.
• Prepare one room that will be used by the movers to work freely.
• Arrange to have a sitter watch your children at their house on moving days. Make arrangements for pets to be out of the way on moving day as well.
• Make arrangements to visit with friends and neighbors to say your good-byes.

MOVING DAY

• Strip beds.
• Take down any window treatments that you are taking with you.
• Spend the day at home with the movers. You will be expected to make last minute decisions, as well as point out items that are fragile.
• Make a final inspection of the entire house. Consider all cupboards, medicine cabinets and closets, shelving units, attic, basement, shed (or other outbuildings) and garage.
• Assure that the moving company knows the proper delivery date, directions and address and phone number of your new home.
• Leave all keys, garage door transmitters and all appliance information as well as your new address, with your realtor.
• Let a close friend or relative know the route and schedule you will travel, including overnight stops. Use him/her as a message center.

PLAN WHAT ITEMS WILL TRAVEL IN THE CAR WITH YOU

• Toys and games for children.
• Special breakable items or collectibles.
• Important documents and records. (See Vital Documents section.)
• Change of clothes.
• Vacuum cleaner.
• Toilet paper and tissues.
• First aid kit.
• Food kit (bottled water, cereal, bananas, snacks).

VITAL DOCUMENTS

(to be packed in one place for easy access)

• Passports
• Military papers
• Mortgage records
• Marriage license
• Birth certificates
• Vehicle titles
• Stock certificates
• Insurance papers (life, health, auto, etc.)
• Bank records
• School records
• Medical records
• Tax records
• Legal documents (wills, etc.)
• Jewelry
• Phone book from former town for future correspondence needs

Remember that many moving expenses are tax deductible, so keep your receipts!

AT YOUR NEW ADDRESS

• Obtain certified check or cashiers check necessary to close on your new home.
• Check to make sure gas, electricity, water, garbage and telephone are ready for you.
• Check pilot light on stove, hot water heater and furnace.
• Request mail from post office, if they have been holding it for you.
• Have new address recorded on driver's license (if remaining in state).
• Apply for a new driver's license (if out of state).
• Register to vote.
• Register car. Are new plates required? Does your new community require vehicle stickers?
• Transfer motor club membership.
• Register your family in your new church.
• Register the children in their new school.
• Arrange for medical services

©2002 Marge Harris. Publication or use of this article on or off-line without written permission from Marge Harris is prohibited. If you would like to use Marge's articles on your Web site or in your publication, just email Marge for details!

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