Sort and purge your belongings. Go through every room and decide what you’d like to keep and what you can part with. Start sorting things that might need special treatment during the move. Hold a garage sale to get rid of anything you don’t need.
Research. Start looking into moving options. Request an on-site estimate and get it in writing. Also, research your new community and become more familiar with the opportunities in the area.
Create a moving budget.
Collect Records. Arrange for medical, dental, veterinarian, and school records to be transferred to your new location. Pack copies of important legal and financial papers separately, and create a moving binder to keep track of receipts, quotes, and other important information.
Six Weeks Before
Purchase Supplies. Gather or purchase boxes of all sizes and other supplies such as Bubble Wrap, tape, and markers.
Start cleaning out the cupboards, and toss out old food or cleaning supplies.
Make travel arrangements for any pets, and plan how to transport any plants so you aren’t surprised on moving day.
Try to acquire measurements of your new place and make sure your furniture will fit through the doorways and can be arranged the way you want.
One Month Before
Confirm your moving arrangements and contact any friends or family to help, if necessary
Begin packing. Start packing things that you use infrequently, and be sure to label each box with the contents and in which room the box should be placed. Be sure to clearly label boxes you will need to access right away and mark boxes that contain fragile items that need to be handled with care. Keep a list of valuable items that might require additional insurance coverage from your moving company, and separate out any valuables you’d like to transport personally.
Fill out a change of address form at your local post office, or do it online at usps.gov.
One to Two Weeks Before
Arrange to take time off on and/or around moving day.
Plan meals to use up any perishable food remaining before the move.
Notify utility services of your move. Call these departments at your current and future locations to cancel, transfer or set up new service:
Electric
Water
Gas
Cell phone
Cable/satellite, Internet and landline phone
Sewer
Trash Collection
Notify banks, insurance companies, credit cards, pharmacy, gym, and magazines or newspapers you might subscribe to of your change of address.
Take your vehicle in for a tune-up. Ensure everything is functioning properly before moving day.
Assemble a folder with important information about the house for the next homeowner and complete any necessary repairs.
Week Of
Confirm moving plans with mover or those helping out.
Refill prescriptions that might be needed during the next couple weeks.
Pack a box of new home essentials. Include disposable tableware, light bulbs, scissors, trash bags, tape, pen and paper, markers, etc.
Pack a travel suitcase with enough clothes and toiletries to get you through the first few days in your new home.
Drain gas or oil from appliances such as lawn equipment, grills, heaters, etc. Empty and defrost any refrigerators or deep freezes at least 24 hours before you move.
Clean and vacuum rooms as they empty. Deep clean bathrooms and kitchen areas. Clean out and wipe down any appliances that will remain behind.
Plan for payment. If using a moving company, make arrangements to ensure they receive their payment in a timely manner.
Purchase refreshments for moving day. All involved will appreciate having at least water available.
Don’t forget to say good-bye to your neighbors!
Day Of
Be sure to be present when help arrives so you can give people/movers a walkthrough and make sure everyone is aware of anything that might need special handling.
Once everything is loaded, do a final walkthrough. Be sure to lock all windows and outside doors as well as check all cupboards, closets, light switches and thermostat before heading out.
PROTECT YOUR POSSESSIONS WITH PERFECT PACKING
Use the right size boxes. Put heavier items such as books in smaller boxes, and lighter items like towels and blankets in larger ones.
Put heavier items on the bottom and lighter items on top. If you are loading your own truck, pack heavier boxes first, toward the front of the truck, for balance.
Don’t leave empty spaces in boxes. Fill in gaps with towels or packing material.
Avoid mixing items from different rooms.
Label each box with the room and contents. This will help movers know where each box belongs.
Securely tape up boxes.
Be sure to wrap breakables in paper and bundle together when possible.
For framed pictures, make an X with masking tape across the glass to strengthen it. Wrap the pictures in paper or bubble wrap for extra protection.
Use wardrobe boxes to make closets easier to pack. Clothes in drawers can be placed in suitcases.
Save time to pack up the kitchen because it tends to take the longest to pack.
Try to pack electronics in their original boxes.
Be sure to keep important documents and records in a box or file that is easily accessible.
Avoid packing with boxes from the grocery store. You never know what might be hiding in the box.
As you disassemble shelving or furniture, tape the parts to the base.
Ask movers to pack anything you might need right away toward the back of the truck so it is the first thing that gets unloaded.
