8-12 weeks before you move
- Contact moving companies. If you will be hiring a mover, obtain quotes from at least three moving companies. For an accurate estimate, ask for an in-house assessment.
- Pare down and sort. Donate, recycle or throw out what you don’t want to move. Start sorting items.
- Organize records. Transfer school records; contact your insurance agent to update property, auto, medical and other insurance records.
- Start your own “moving manual.” Start a binder containing an inventory of your household items, moving estimates or other important receipts to keep information in one place.
- Start looking for new doctors, dentists, etc. From doctors, dentists and veterinarians to banks and landscapers, it pays to investigate new service providers earlier rather than later.
4-6 weeks before you move
- Order supplies and start packing. Order boxes and other supplies such as tape, bubble wrap and markers. Pack things you won’t need first. Set goals.
- Contact utilities, cable, etc. Arrange to have services connected and disconnected now to avoid date/time conflicts.
- Obtain change of address forms. You can do this online at www.USPS.com or at your local post office.
- Schedule routine medical appointments. Doctor, dentist and vet visits may be hard to schedule for a while.
- Take measurements and map out. Give advance thought and planning to where things will go in your new home. Make sure larger pieces of furniture will fit through the door.
- Make packing and unpacking plans. Draw a diagram of where your furniture will go.
- Arrange for pet care. Make sure your pets are taken care of during the move and when you are unpacking.
1-2 weeks before you move
- Confirm details with the moving company. Make sure you have their contact information and they have yours.
- Organize key documents. You should carry with you original passports, deeds, financial statements and other critical documents. Make copies of them as well.
- Refill prescriptions. Forward medical records if needed.
- Gather keys/alarms codes/garage door openers. Keep all of these in one easy place to hand over to new owners.
- Arrange for cleaning. That includes your new home and existing home cleaned. Remember to defrost your freezer.
- Confirm closing/move-in dates with your real estate agent and mover.
- Clean out any safe deposit boxes. Also be sure to carry any valuables with you.
- Car tune up. If you are moving to a new location with a different climate, ask your mechanic what additional servicing you may need.
- Arrange for tips/payment for movers.
Moving day
- Make sure you have a moving day survival kit. These are items you will need upon arrival at your new home (bottled water, dishes, toilet paper, trash bags, pet food, toys for younger children, a couple of days of clothing).
- Check the moving inventory list and sign it. You should also read the Bill of Lading carefully and sign it.
- Do the walk-through with your real estate agent. Be sure to ask for all appliance manuals/warranties and instruction booklets.