COUNTDOWN to Moving Day
Obtain a floor
plan of your new residence and decide what
household items you want to keep.
Begin an
inventory of all household goods.
Solicit
estimates from several moving companies.
Contact your
insurance agent, and ask them about your
homeowners policy to determine whetheryour
possessions are covered when moving.
Establish a file
for all moving papers and receipts.
Arrange to
transfer child(ren)’s school records.
Choose a mover.
Begin search for
good health-care professionals in your new
location.
Fill out
post-office change of address cards.
Send your new
address to anyone that might need it —
insurance agents, credit card companies,
magazine subscriptions, friends, relatives,
etc.
Clean out
closets and dispose of all items that you will
not be taking with you.
Hold a
moving/garage sale or donate items to
charities.
For self moves,
reserve a truck or trailer. Obtain necessary
moving supplies, boxes, twine, labels, etc.
Start
packing!!
If your mover is
doing the packing, arrange for it to be done
one or two days before loading begins.
Send furniture,
drapes and carpets for repair or cleaning as
needed.
Begin to use up
overstocks of staple foods.
Gather valuable
personal papers that you may need at your
destination location, including medical and
dental records, school records, birth
certificates, etc.
Make travel
plans and arrange any motel or other
reservations.
Arrange to have
utilities (gas, electric, phone, cable, water,
etc.) disconnected in your present home, and
connected at your new home.
Ready car
registration and insurance records for
transfer.
Notify State
Motor Vehicle Bureau of your new address.
Arrange for
child care on moving day.
If necessary,
reserve apartment elevator for pickup and/or
delivery dates.
Arrange to move
pets.
Check with mover
about moving house plants. (Some movers will
not move plants.)
Dispose of all
items too dangerous to move, including
flammable liquids.
If necessary,
have your automobile serviced and ready for
the trip.
Transfer all
bank accounts.
Cancel newspaper
delivery.
Have enough
medication to last at least two weeks. Have
prescriptions forwarded to a pharmacy at your
new destination.
Buy traveler’s
checks.
Make
arrangements to pay for your move.
Withdraw items
and close safety deposit boxes.
Have mover pack
your goods (unless doing it yourself).
Defrost and dry
refrigerators and freezers to be moved.
Set aside
valuable items to carry with you including
jewelry, vital documents, money and valuable
small items.
Be on hand to
answer questions and give directions to movers
and stay until they are finished.
Accompany driver
for inventory of your household goods.
Complete
information on bill of lading and carefully
read the document before you sign it.
Make sure you
have your copies of the bill of lading and
inventory.
Keep the bill of
lading until your possessions are delivered,
the charges are paid, and any claims are
settled.
Before the van
leaves, take one final look through the house
to make certain nothing has been left behind.
Give the driver
directions to your new home.
Notify the
driver and the van line where you can be
reached during the move.
DELIVERY DAY Be on hand to You must pay the Supervise Check carefully Note on the
answer any questions and give directions.
driver before your goods can be unloaded. This
is a Federal requirement for interstate moves.
unloading and unpacking.
for any damaged or missing items.
inventory any damaged boxes or obvious damage
to unboxed items before you sign anything.