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Moving Checklist & Tips

Moving Timeline Check List

One Month Before Move

Arrange for moving your furniture and personal belongings either by hiring a moving company or renting a truck.

Accumulate moving supplies such as boxes, tape, rope, and anything else you might need

Some moving expenses may be tax deductible, so you should save all moving related expenses including meals, lodging, and gasoline. (see your tax advisor.)

Develop a plan for packing such as packing last the things you use the most.

Notify the Post Office of your move by using the Change of Address form.

Notify friends, family, and businesses of your move.

Two Weeks Before Move

Notify utilities like gas, electric, water, cable TV, and phone companies. Arrange for services at new address. (Once you have a confirmed closing date set.)

Notify long distance phone company and arrange for service at your new address.

Recruit people to help you on the moving day.

Arrange for someone to take care of pets during move.

Confirm moving company or rental truck arrangements.

One Day Before Move

Keep moving material separate so they don’t get packed until you are finished.

Don’t panic!!!!!

TIPS ON PACKING

A substantial amount of money can be saved by packing your household goods. To insure safety for your belongings, care should be undertaken to pack properly.

  • Use strong containers, in good condition, that can be sealed with strapping tape. These can be purchased locally from moving companies.
  • Keep in mind what the box will weigh after it is loaded. 40 to 50 pounds is considered the maximum.
  • Empty spaces in boxes should be filled with crumpled newspaper or bubble wrap to keep things from shifting in transit.
  • Books should be stacked on end and generally in smaller boxes than other things due to their weight.
  • Label each box after packing, first, so that the movers will know which room to put it in and secondly, to help you to prioritize which ones need to be opened first.
  • Remove all breakables from drawers before moving furniture.
  • Don’t pack valuables such as jewelry, collections, checks or savings books.
  • Packing takes longer than you expect so allow plenty of time. Pack items that aren’t frequently used first and unpack them last.
  • Organization in packing will save you hours of time and frustration in the long run.
  • Items that are no longer wanted can be donated to charity and you may be eligible for a tax deduction.

Change of Address

It is hard enough to have to pack and physically move without having to worry about whether or not you are going to receive your mail.

The U.S. Post Office has a change of address from that will notify the letter carrier about the change so your mail can be routed to the new address. (See enclosed movers guide.)

A change of address filed with the post office will not notify the people and companies that you have moved. You will need to do that yourself.

Magazines have labels that should be returned with the correct address. Credit card bills and installment loans usually have places on the return slip for you to notify them of a change of address.

Some people don’t send you mail on a regular basis and it will be up to you to let them know about your new address. Below is a checklist to help you remember all the necessary parties.

Electric
Gas
Water
Telephone
Bank
Credit Cards
Finance Companies
Schools
Doctor
Dentist
Accountant
Lawyer
Insurance Agents
Church
Organizations & Clubs
Friends & Relatives