2 months prior
o Get estimates from moving companies and/or storage units.
o Make a list of people you want to give your new address to when you move.
o Sketch or print the floor plans of your new home and start thinking about furniture placement.
o Go through each room of your home. Think about what will and will not fit with your new home and designate items for donation or yard sale.
o Take an inventory of your valuable belongings for insurance purposes.
6 weeks prior
o Set your moving date.
o Finalize your moving company choice and make your reservations.
o If you are doing the packing, collect boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, and other necessary packing supplies.
o Pack the items you don’t use often. For example, your out of season clothing and other seasonal items such as Christmas decorations. Note: if you haven’t worn a piece of clothing or used an item in a year or more, you probably should put it in the donate or yard sale pile.
o Make any necessary travel arrangements (remember to think about your pets needs too).
o If you have children, have their records transferred to their new school or daycare.
o Obtain your medical records to give to future medical providers.
o Organize and hold a yard sale.
1 month prior
o Return library books.
o Pick up all dry cleaning.
o Pick up any prescriptions and have your prescriptions transferred to a pharmacy near your new home.
2 weeks prior
o Contact utility companies (gas, electric, phone, cable/satellite TV, etc.) to cancel services at your current home and activate services at your new home on your move in date.
o Cancel your newspaper subscription if moving to a new city, or, if staying within the same city, provide them with your new address.
o If moving to where a new bank is required, remember to empty your current safe deposit box.
o File a “Change of Address” with the post office to have your mail forwarded to your new address.
o Change your address with your credit card companies, magazine subscriptions, financial institutions and other companies and organizations as necessary.
o Send friends and family your new address.
1 week prior
o Properly dispose of paints, flammable liquids and other items that can’t be moved.
o Call to confirm any travel arrangements.
o Finish packing and pack yourself a suitcase with a few days’ worth of clothing, toiletries and any valuable belongings you prefer to keep with you.
o Check out every room, cupboard, closet, attic and crawl space to make sure you have packed everything so you don’t leave anything behind.
o Remember to leave all literature related to operation and warranties of appliances staying with the house.
o Arrange for childcare/pet care for moving day.
o Confirm your reservation with the moving company.
o Print a map and directions to your new address for the movers.
o On the day before your move, empty, defrost and clean out your refrigerator.
Moving day
o Supervise any moving company workers as they pack/move your belongings.
o Leave a note to the new residents and include your new address in case the post office doesn’t forward your mail right away and the location of all warranty papers.
o Turn off lights, lock windows, and close and lock the doors before you leave.
GOOD LUCK and Wishing you the best in your new home!