Below are some tips that you need to consider if you are moving
Eight weeks before
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Remove unnecessary items from your attic, basement or storage
shed, etc. Use up
all the things that you can't move, such as frozen foods
and cleaning supplies.
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Obtain information about your new community [Research].
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Secure a floor plan of your new residence and decide what
household items you want to keep.

Start a possessions inventory.
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Solicit estimates from at least three moving companies.
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Call your homeowners insurance agent to find out to what
degree your move is covered.
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Create a file for documenting all moving papers and
receipts.
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Arrange to transfer your children's school or school records.
Six weeks before
-
Evaluate your possessions inventory. Can you donate
anything? Do you need it all?
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Notify your friends, relatives, professionals, creditors,
subscriptions, etc about
your moving.
-
Subscribe to a local paper in your new community and
familiarize yourself with local government, community and
social news and activities.
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Begin the off-site storage process (if applicable).
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Locate high-quality health-care professionals and hospitals
in your new location.
-
Complete post-office change of address cards for the
following: banks; charge cards; religious organizations;
doctors/dentist; relatives and friends; income tax
bureau/Social Security Administration/union; insurance
broker/lawyer/CPA/ stockbroker; magazines; post office; and
schools.
- Clean/Arrange your closets and make it ready for the move.
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Hold a moving/garage sale or donate items to charities.
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Choose a mover. Contact your mover to make arrangements and
inquire about insurance coverage.
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If relocating due to a job, contact your employer to see
what costs, if any, they will cover.
Four weeks before
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Start packing!
-
Send furniture, drapes and carpets for repair/cleaning as
needed.
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Gather auto licensing and registration documents, medical,
dental and school records, birth certificates, wills, deeds,
stock and other financial documentation, etc.
-
Contact gas, electric, oil, water, telephone, cable TV and
trash collection companies for service disconnect /connect
at your old and new addresses respectively. Also ask for
final readings.
-
Request refunds on unused homeowner's insurance, security
deposit with landlord, and prepaid cable service.
Notify your gardener, and pool service
(if applicable).
-
Contact insurance companies (auto, homeowner's, medical and
life) to arrange for coverage in your new home.
Three weeks before
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Make your travel plans.
-
Arrange to close current bank accounts and open accounts in
your new locale (if necessary).
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Notify your state's motor vehicle bureau of your new
address.
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Arrange for childcare on moving day.
Two weeks before
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Arrange special transport for your pets and plants.
-
Service your car for the trip.
- Contact your moving company and review/confirm arrangements for your move.
One week before
-
Prepare detailed directions and an itinerary with emergency
numbers for your moving company.
-
Settle outstanding bills with local retailers. Pick up dry
cleaning, and return library books and rented videotapes.
-
Take pets to the veterinarian and get copies of their
records.
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Drain gas and oil from power equipment.
-
Give away plants not being moved.
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Cancel newspaper delivery.
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Buy two-weeks worth of medication and have your
prescriptions forwarded to your new pharmacy.
-
Buy traveler's checks.
- Make arrangements to pay for your move.
Two to three days before
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If you're not doing it yourself, have your mover pack.
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Defrost refrigerators and freezers.
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Consider gathering all valuables and giving them to family
or friends to hold until the move is completed.
-
Disconnect all major appliances.
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Contact your moving company for any updates.
-
Pack first-night items and a survival kit. Keep them in
separate boxes in your car. First night items may include:
sheets, towels, toiletries, phone, alarm clock, change of
clothes and flashlight
Mover's survival kit may include: scissors, utility knife,
coffee cups, instant coffee/tea or a coffee maker, water and
soft drinks, snacks, paper plates, plastic utensils, paper
towels, toilet paper, soap, pencils and paper, local phone
book, masking and/or duct tape, trash bags, shelf liner and
aspirin or ibuprofen.
Moving day
-
Be home to answer any questions your mover may have.
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Record all utility meter readings (gas, electric and water).
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Stay until your movers are finished.
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Complete information on the bill and carefully read the
document and the inventory sheet before signing it.
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Keep your copies of the bill and inventory until your
possessions are delivered, the charges are paid and any
claims are settled.
-
Take one final look around to see if you forgot anything.
-
Give movers the directions to your new home, and an
emergency number where you can be reached during the move.
At destination
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Unpack first-night items and mover's survival kit.
-
Be at the destination to welcome the movers and be on hand
to answer any questions.
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After the job is completed, pay what is owed.
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Scrutinize the unloading of your items and account for each
one on your inventory sheet. Check promptly and carefully
for any damaged or missing items.
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Place moving and other important documents in a safe place.
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Go to the post office and collect held mail.
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