Making Your Move Less Stressful...
A Moving Checklist To Make Sure Things Get Done
Moving can be stressful whether you're moving to another
city or just to another street. Here's a checklist that you
can use to plan and prepare in advance this big day.
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Things To Do ASAP After Deciding To Move
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Reserve a moving truck if you are planning to do-it-yourself.
Or contact a moving company and tell them the dates you plan
to move. Set up a date for an agent to come over and survey
your goods. Unless you're given a binding estimate, the
cost can vary, depending on the actual weight of items and any
extra services. |
| Decide if you are going
to pack for yourself or have the movers do it. |
| Transfer or resign from
organizations and associations. |
| Collect suitable containers
"&" packing materials if you plan to do the packing yourself. |
| Start to use up things
that can’t be moved, such as frozen foods, canned goods, and
flammable household aerosol cleaners. Buy only what you will
use before moving. |
| Prepare a list of friends,
relatives, business firms, and others who need to be notified
of your move. |
| Consider having a garage
sale to dispose of unwanted clothes or furniture. |
Things To Do 30-60 Days Before The Move
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| Assemble packing materials:
Boxes, felt-tip markers, large self-stick labels, newspapers,
utility knife, packing peanuts or bubble wrap, packing tape,
furniture pads, dolly, scissors |
| Pack an “Instant Aid”
box containing things you’ll need upon arrival:Sponges, paper
towels, powdered detergent, paper plates, toothpaste, light
bulbs, hammer, trash bags, hand soap, toilet paper, scissors,
utility knife, coffee cups, tea kettle, first-aid kit, snacks,
pencils and paper, masking tape, bath towels, and shelf liner
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| Establish credit in
your new city. Arrange for a transfer of bank account funds
and the contents of your safety deposit box. |
| Check personal insurance
policies to see whether moving is covered. Transfer fire, theft,
and other personal property insurance to ensure coverage at
your new home. |
| Gather information on
prescriptions. Get current phone numbers and addresses of your
doctor and dentist. |
| Arrange to transfer
school records and secure transcripts from the local school
district you are leaving. Get copies of your records from doctors,
dentists, accountants, etc. |
| Plan to cancel all utilities. |
| Pick up all dry cleaning
and anything left at the tailor. |
| Set a date to cancel
the newspaper. |
| Alert the post office
that you will be moving. If you don’t yet know your permanent
address, the post office can hold your mail for you. Send out
change-of-address cards. First-class mail is forwarded free
of charge for one year; newspapers and magazines - 60 days. |
| Take your car in to
have it checked for the upcoming road trip. |
| Transfer all prescriptions
to your new pharmacy. |
| Have rugs and draperies
cleaned and keep them in bags until the movers arrive. |
| Take pets to the veterinarian.
Most states require health certificates and rabies inoculations
for licenses. |
| Collect all items being
repaired, cleaned, or stored. |
| Return library books
and anything else you may have borrowed. |
Things To Do 2 Weeks Before The Move
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| Send change of address to: |
| Post Office: give forwarding
address |
| Charge accounts, credit
cards |
| Subscriptions: notice
requires several weeks |
| Friends and relatives |
| Bank: transfer funds,
arrange check-cashing in new city |
| Insurance: life, health,
fire, and auto |
| Automobile: transfer
of car title registration, driver's license, city windshield
sticker, motor club membership |
| Utility companies (gas,
light, water, telephone, fuel): arrange for refunds of any deposits
and service in new town) |
| School records: ask
for copies or transfer of children's records. |
| Health: medical, dental,
prescription histories. Ask doctor and dentist for referrals,
transfer needed prescriptions,x-rays |
| Church, clubs, civic
organizations: transfer memberships, get letters of introduction |
| Pets: ask about regulations
for licenses, vaccinations, tags, etc. |
Your Moving Day!:
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| If moving yourself,
pick up the truck early. |
| Number and make a list
of every box and its contents so you can find things easily.
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| Pack a "handy items
box" for your first night and day in your new home. It should
include: scissors, utility knife, cups, paper plates and towels,
toilet paper, snacks and portable beverages, soap, pens and
paper, local phone book, tape, bath towels, trash bags, toiletries,
sponge and shelf liner. |
| Leave all old keys needed
by new tenant or owner with the real estate agent |
And don't forget to:
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| Check your old house
to make sure you've turned off water and no leave-behind appliances
are running. Inspect basement, attic and garage. Lock windows
and doors.
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| Empty freezer: plan
use of foods |
| Defrost freezer/refrigerator:
place charcoal to dispel odors |
| Have appliances serviced
for moving |
| Remember arrangements
for TV and antenna |
| Clean rugs or clothing
before moving; have them wrapped or packed |
| Check insurance coverage,
packing and unpacking labor, arrival day, various shipping papers,
method and time of expected payment |
| Plan for special care
needs of infants and children |
| And on moving day: |
| Carry currency, jewelry,
documents yourself or use registered mail |
| Plan for transporting
pets; they are poor traveling companions if unhappy |
| Carry traveler's cheques
for quick, available funds |
| Let close friend or
relative know your route and schedule, including overnight stops;
use him/her as a message headquarters |
Moving Checklist For Kids
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| Your children may feel
anxious and excited at the thought of a moving adventure. To
ensure that they are most comfortable in their new surroundings
here are some suggestions. |
| Be sure to investigate
the local children attractions in your new destination. |
| Park District Programs
may be available for class enrollment. |
| Research the ages of
children nearby. |
| Assist in getting the
kids' rooms set up first. |
| Rental movies might
help keep kids occupied as you begin to get moved into your
new home. |
| Have snacks and drinks
available on moving day. |
| Special book(s) or craft
items and games may keep the kids occupied on moving day. |
| If the children are
young, a babysitter may assist you in being responsible for
the kids on the day you move into your new home. |
| Have a change of clothes
easily accessible for the kids. |
| Any medications that
are taken on a regular basis should be accessible to you. |
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Moving Checklist For Pets
Your pets require special care and attention when moving to
a new location. Here are some suggestions on making the move
as comfortable as possible: |
| Small dogs and cats
can be flown by air transportation or driven along in the car.
There are businesses that specialize in the transportation of
pets. Your moving company may be able to supply you with names
of pet movers or you may look in your phone directory business
pages. |
| If you are arriving
in your new destination by air transportation, your pet(s) can
ride along in the baggage compartment. If you choose to transport
your pet(s) in this fashion, here is a quick checklist of items
to consider: You must provide the airline carrier with a current
health certificate from your veterinarian. |
| Make sure to speak with
the airlines about their specific rules and regulations regarding
pet transportation. They may provide special shipping containers.
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| If you have a container
for your pet, make certain that it fits within the requirements
of the airline carrier. |
| Tranquilizers may be
appropriate to obtain from your veterinarian to give to your
pet prior to the trip. |
| Something familiar to
your pet such as a toy or an article of clothing or blanket
may help your pet feel more comfortable during the flight. If
your pet is flying without you, be sure you have arranged for
someone to pick up your pet. If you do not know anyone in the
new destination, a local kennel can do that for you. Some kennels
will board pets, which may assist you in the move as well. |
| If your pet(s) are traveling
with you in the car, be sure to have their water bowl, leash
and favorite toy. Be sure to make frequent stops as pets can
get carsick easily and being restricted in a car all day can
make them nervous and upset. Some motels and hotels offer accommodations
for pets. Be sure to plan your stay on the road ahead of time.
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| Smaller pets such as
hamsters, birds and other small animals can be transported in
the car fairly easily. Make sure that your pet has enough food
and water in their cages and are kept out of drafts or extreme
temperatures. Cover their cages to keep them quiet and calm.
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| The above checklist is for informational purposes only &
is not a substitute for legal, tax or other professional assistance. |
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