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For more help, contact Scott or Bill via email or phone. We will be happy to get the information you need, and exceed your expectations!
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Moving Checklist |
(feel free to print this out for future reference)
Moving,
whether across town or across the country, is a huge and often overwhelming
ordeal that involves much more than just packing. To help make your move less
chaotic and more manageable, use the following checklists:
Eight
Weeks Before
·
Remove unnecessary items from your attic, basement,
storage shed, etc.
·
Use things you can't move, such as frozen foods and
cleaning supplies.
·
Obtain
information about your destination community.
Your REALTOR can help.
·
Secure a floor plan of your new residence and
decide what household items you want to keep.
·
Start a possessions inventory.
·
Solicit estimates from at least three moving
companies.
·
Call your homeowners insurance agent to find out to
what degree your move is covered.
·
Create a file for documenting all moving papers and
receipts.
·
Arrange to transfer your children’s school
records.
Six
Weeks Before
·
Contact the IRS and/or your CPA for tax-deductible
information.
·
Evaluate your possessions inventory. Can you donate
anything? Do you need it all?
·
Notify your friends, relatives, professionals,
creditors, subscriptions, etc.
·
Subscribe to a local paper in your new community
and familiarize yourself with local government, community, and social news and
activities.
·
Begin the off-site storage process (if applicable).
·
Locate high-quality health-care professionals and
hospitals in your new location.
·
Complete a change of address via post-office cards
or an online service for the following:
·
Banks;
·
Charge cards;
·
Religious organizations;
·
Doctors/dentist;
·
Relatives and friends;
·
Income tax bureau/Social Security
Administration/union;
·
Insurance broker/lawyer/CPA/ stockbroker;
·
Magazines;
·
Post office; and
·
Schools.
·
Clean your closets.
·
Hold a moving/garage sale or donate items to
charities.
·
Choose a mover.
·
Contact your mover to make arrangements and inquire
about insurance coverage.
·
If relocating due to a job, contact your employer
to see what costs, if any, they will cover.
Four
Weeks Before
·
START PACKING!!!
·
Send furniture, drapes and carpets for
repair/cleaning as needed.
·
Gather auto licensing and registration documents,
medical, dental and school records, birth certificates, wills, deeds, stock and
other financial documentation, etc.
·
Contact gas, electric, oil, water, telephone, cable
TV, and trash collection companies for service disconnect/connect at your old
and new addresses. Also ask for final readings.
·
Request refunds on unused homeowner’s insurance,
security deposit with landlord, and prepaid cable service.
·
Notify your gardener, snow removal service, and
pool service (if applicable).
·
Contact insurance companies (auto, homeowner's,
medical, and life) to arrange for coverage in your new home.
Three
Weeks Before
·
Make your travel plans. A REALTOR like myself will
have personal maps for your needs.
·
Arrange to close current bank accounts and open
accounts in your new locale (if necessary).
·
Notify your state’s Motor Vehicle Bureau of your
new address.
·
Arrange for childcare on moving day.
NOTE:
For apartment dwellers, reserve the elevator for pickup and/or delivery dates.
Two
Weeks Before
·
Arrange special transport for your pets and plants.
·
Service your car for the trip.
·
Contact your moving company and review arrangements
for your move.
One
Week Before
·
Prepare detailed directions and an itinerary with
emergency numbers for your moving company.
·
Settle outstanding bills with local retailers. Pick
up dry cleaning, and return library books and rented videotapes.
·
Take pets to the veterinarian and get copies of
their records.
·
Drain gas and oil from power equipment.
·
Give away plants not being moved.
·
Cancel newspaper delivery.
·
Buy two-weeks worth of medication and have your
prescriptions forwarded to your new pharmacy.
·
Buy traveler's checks.
·
Make arrangements to pay for your move.
Two-to-Three
Days Before
·
If you’re not doing it yourself, have your mover
pack.
·
Defrost refrigerators and freezers.
·
Consider gathering all valuables and giving them to
family or friends to hold until the move is completed.
·
Disconnect all major appliances.
·
Contact your moving company for any updates.
·
Pack first-night
items and a survival kit. Keep
them in separate boxes in your car.
·
First
Night Items:
Sheets, Towels, Toiletries, Phone, Alarm Clock, Change of Clothes, and
Flashlight
·
Mover's
Survival Kit: Scissors, utility knife, coffee cups, instant
coffee/tea or a coffee maker, water and soft drinks, snacks, paper plates,
plastic utensils, paper towels, toilet paper, soap, pencils and paper, local
phone book, masking and/or duct tape, trash bags, shelf liner, and aspirin or
ibuprofen.
Moving
Day
·
Be home to answer any questions your mover may
have.
·
Record all utility meter readings (gas, electric,
and water).
·
Stay until your movers are finished.
·
Complete information on the bill of lading and
carefully read the document and the inventory sheet before signing it.
·
Keep your copies of the bill of lading and
inventory until your possessions are delivered, the charges are paid, and any
claims are settled.
·
Take one final look around to see if you forgot
anything.
·
Give movers the directions to your new home, and an
emergency number where you can be reached during the move.
At
Destination
·
Unpack first night items and mover’s survival
kit/pack.
·
Be at the destination to welcome the movers and be
on hand to answer any questions.
·
After the job is completed, pay what is owed. The
driver is obligated by law (a Federal requirement for interstate moves) to
collect payment upon delivery.
·
Scrutinize the unloading of your items and account
for each one on your inventory sheet. Check promptly and carefully for any
damaged or missing items.
·
Place moving and other important documents in a
safe place.
·
Go to the post office and collect held mail.
