Moving Timeline Checklist
A successful move is a well planned move. The following timeline and recommended tasks will help you to plan your move with the most success and the least stress.
- 6 Weeks Before "Move-Out Day"
- 4 - 5 Weeks Before "Move-Out Day"
- 3 Weeks Before "Move-Out Day"
- 2 Weeks Before "Move-Out Day"
- 1 Week Before "Move-Out Day"
- "Move-Out Day"
- "Move-In Day"
6 Weeks Before "Move-Out Day"
- Create a "move information" file. Using a brightly colored organizer folder with interior pockets makes it easy to store important information and collect receipts for moving-related expenses.
- Visit the IRS Web site at www.irs.gov and view Publication 521 to learn more about tax deductible moving expenses.
- Contact your insurance agent to transfer property, fire, and auto insurance.
- When organizing dental and medical records, be sure to include prescriptions, eyeglass specifications, and vaccination records.
- Contact any clubs or associations for information on transferring, selling, or ending your memberships.
- Wills, stock certificates, and other one-of-a-kind items (jewelry, photos, home videos, etc.) are difficult or impossible to replace. Plan to carry them with you instead of packing them.
- Make personal travel arrangements (flights, hotel, rental cars, etc.) for your family. Keep your plans as flexible as possible to accomodate any schedule changes.
- Create a floor plan of your new home and begin thinking about where you'll want to place furniture. Advance planning eases the stress of making major decisions when your furniture arrives at your new home.
- Get your mail moving. Complete change-of-address forms, available from your local Post Office or online at www.usps.com. Start recording the local addresses you may need later.
- Take your old phone book with you to your new home.
4 - 5 Weeks Before "Move-Out Day"
- Take an objective look at what you own. Decide what must go with you and what can be left behind. Books you've read and will never read again? The pan with the broken handle or the children's long-neglected games? It's easier to make decisions to donate or throw out these items while preparing for your move than when you are getting settled into a new community.
- Sit down and start organizing your move. Make a list with three columns: items to leave behind, items for the moving company, and items you'll move yourself. For each item you aren't going to take with you, decide whether you'll sell it, give it away to charity, or dispose of it before your move.
- For anything you've outgrown or just don't use, consider having a garage sale. Make sure to pick a date at least two weeks before the move and advertise it locally. Think about teaming up with neighbors who want to sell some of their old belongings, and plan a neighborhood "super sale".
- Start including your children in the move planning. Make it exciting and fun by having your kids do some of their own packing and let them suggest layouts for their new room.
- Start collecting suitable containers and packing materials. You can obtain these materials (used) for a reasonable fee from local moving companies or from specialty box stores. Be sure to plan for boxes for unusual shaped items such as framed pictures, clothing, television sets, and electronics.
3 Weeks Before "Move-Out Day"
- Make sure to notify your moving coordinator of any major changes to your planned household goods, if there are any changes in the dates, or other relocation needs related to your move.
- If you have young children, arrange for a baby sitter to watch them on moving day. Since you'll be concentrating your efforts on the move, a sitter can keep your children occupied and make sure they remain safe during the busy loading process.
- Clear off your worktables and place rakes, shovels, and hoses in one location.
- You should plan to carry valuable jewelry with you. If you've hidden any valuables around the house, be sure to collect them before leaving.
- Animals can't be moved in a moving van. If you're not taking your pets by car, make other transportation arrangements. Because some states require up-to-date health certificates and rabies inoculations, it's a good idea to take your pets to the veterinarian prior to the move to ensure that you have the proper documents.
- Some state laws prohibit the entry of house plants and house plants will not survive a move in a moving van. Consider giving your plants to a friend or local charity.
- While you are sorting through your belongings, remember to return library books and anything else you have borrowed. Also remember to collect all items that are being cleaned, stored, or repaird (clothing, shoes, watches, etc.).
- Send change-of-address cards to national newspapers and magazines. Cancel delivery of local papers and settle your accounts.
2 Weeks Before "Move-Out Day"
- Make final packing decisions.
- Clean and clear your home, including closets, basements, and attics.
- Dispose of flammables such as fireworks, cleaning fluids, matches, acids, chemistry sets, aerosol cans, nail polish, paint, ammunition, and poisons such as weed killer. See the lists under "Moving-Special Care Items" on this web site.
- Plan meals that will use up the food in your freezer.
- Have your automobile serviced if you're travelling by car.
- Transfer all current prescriptions to a drug store in your new town.
- Thousands of people leave town without checking their safety deposit boxes. Don't be one of them. You also should call your bank to find out how to transfer your accounts.
- Drain the oil and gasoline from your lawn mower and power tools to ensure safe transportation. Refer to you owner's manuals for specific instructions.
- Schedule appliance disconnection and preparation.
- Make sure to back up all your computer files on a separate disk before moving. Consider taking the backup and other media with you in the car since software is delicate and sensitive to temperature extremes. Remember that you must also disassemble and disconnect your computer system prior to "move-out" day.
1 Week Before "Move-Out Day"
This is your week to make sure you have taken care of everything.
- Check back through this checklist to make sure you haven't overlooked anything.
- Since you will want to have your utilities (electric, gas, phone, etc.) on during moving day, arrange to have them disconnected from your present home the day after your scheduled move-out. Call ahead to have utilities connected at your new home the day before or the day of your scheduled move-in.
- Write "DO NOT LOAD" (with a BLUE marker) on all the things you want to take with you.
- Write "LOAD LAST" (with a GREEN marker) on things you will need to use as soon as you get to your new home.
- Write "FRAGILE" (with a RED marker) on items that need special care.
- Start packing your suitcases and confirm your family's personal travel arrangements (flights, hotel, rental cars, etc.).
- Try to keep your plans as flexible as possible in the event of an unexpected schedule change.
- Make sure your moving coordinator has your cell phone number to allow communication while in transit.
- Empty, defrost, and clean your refrigerator and freezer and clean your stove - all at least 24 hours before moving to let them air out. Try using baking soda to get rid of any odors.
"Move-Out Day"
- Strip your beds and make sure the bedding goes into a "LOAD LAST" box.
- Be on hand when the movers arrive. If you can not be there for any part of the day, inform your move coordinator who will be taking your place. Be sure that individual knows as much as possible about your packing and move plans.
- Confirm the delivery date and time at your new address. Write directions to your new home for the van operator and give him your cell phone number.
- When the van operator arrrives, review all details and paperwork. Accompany the driver as he or she surveys your belongings.
- It's your responsibility to see that all of your goods are loaded, so remain on the premises until loading is completed.
- Make sure your vacuum is packed last so it can be unloaded first and you can clean before furniture is unloaded.
- One Last Check - take a final look around:
Light switches turned off?
Furnace/air conditioner shut off?
Water shut off?
All utilities arranged for disconnection?
All closets checked?
Windows and exterior doors shut and locked?
Old house keys and garage door openers available for new occupants?
Have you left anything?
"Move-In Day"
- Be sure you're there when the movers arrive.
- Plan to stay around while they unload in case they have any questions. If you cannot be there personally, make sure you authorize an adult to be your representative to accept delivery. Your representative will be asked to note any change in the condition of your goods at the time of loading and to note any missing items at the time of delivery. You should inform your moving coordinator of the name and cell phone of your representative.
- Check to make sure the utilities have been connected and follow up on any delays.
- Make sure your phone is connected. Ideally, you should have the phone company hook it up the day before "Move-In Day".
- Confine your pets to an out-of-the-way room to keep them from running away or getting agitated by all of the activity.
- It's a good idea to review your floor plan so you can tell the movers where to place your furniture and appliances. Be available to direct them as they unload.
- If possible, get a babysitter to supervise the children during the unloading process.
- To prevent possible damage, televisions, stereos, computers, and other electronic equipment and major appliances should not be used for 24 hours after delivery, allowing them time to adjust ot room temperature.
- Personally document any loss or damage and immediately report this to your moving coordinator.
- Clean your house as much as you can before the moving van arrives.
This information is provided as a general planning guide to assist you with your move. Specific information and guildelines may be different with the actual moving company and all of the information provided by the moving company will supersede the above information.
If you have any questions about this information, please call or use the form below to contact us.
