subject: Your Ultimate Moving Checklist by:T. Scott Clendaniel [print this page] The stress of moving can seem overwhelmingThe stress of moving can seem overwhelming. There are dozens of tasks to accomplish and scores of things to keep track of. The good news is that a well-organized checklist can do wonders to manage all that information. This article details the best of the moving checklists online or in print.
== 4 Weeks Prior to Move: Organizing ==
Set the date.
Mondays - Thursdays are your best choices so that banks and offices are open in case you have a problem.
Arrange for utility transfers.
Notify current and future utility providers of your move date. Note when current security deposits will be refunded and how much is due when for the new ones. This includes:
__ Cable/satellite television
__ Cell phone service
__ Electricity
__ Gas
__ Internet/broadband
__ Local phone service
__ Long distance phone service
__ Propane
__ Recycling pick-up
__ Sewer
__ Security system
__ Trash pick-up
__ Water
NOTE: It's a good idea to schedule utility "turn on dates" at least one day prior to the move date and "turn off dates" at least one day after the move to allow for emergencies or issues that may arise.
File change of address.
At minimum, file a Temporary Change of Address with the U.S. Post Office to buy you time before you notify everyone else. You can file online at http://www.MoversGuide.com or call 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777) (both have a $1 fee), or go to the local Post Office and complete form PS 3575.
Make sure you have enough cash. Most moving companies insist on being paid in cash before they unload a single box. Be sure have the correct amount with you with moving expenses, deposits, tips, and anything else you'll need on moving day.
Start a "change of address log."
Create a change of address log by writing down who you receive mail from each day. Then contact those organizations with your change of address each morning or evening. This breaks up the task and helps make sure you aren't missing important contacts.
Notify specific people of your change of address. Some of the people who might need your change of address include:
__ Accountant/tax preparer
__ Alumni associations
__ Attorneys
__ Babysitter/ child care provider
__ Banks (auto loans, checking accounts, credit cards, home equity,
IRA's, mortgage, safe deposit box, savings
account)
__ Broker
__ Business cards (order new ones)
__ Cell phone provider
__ Child care/ daycare
__ Chiropractor
__ Courts, especially for traffic tickets or local disputes
__ Credit bureaus
__ Credit card issuers
__ Dentist
__ Department of Motor Vehicles
__ Diaper service
__ Doctor
__ Dry cleaning pick-up and delivery
__ Family members
__ Health clubs
__ House cleaning service
__ House of worship
__ Insurance providers (auto, health, life, other vehicles)
__ IRS (form 8822)
__ Lawn care
__ Luggage tags (replace existing ones)
__ Magazine subscriptions
__ New business cards
__ New employer
__ Newspaper subscriptions
__ Old employer
__ Orthodontist
__ Parent-teacher association
__ Passport
__ Pet sitter/ dog walker/ pet day care
__ Pharmacy (BONUS: get year-to-date expense summary for taxes)
__ Physical therapist
__ Physician (BONUS: get referral for new location)
__ Post office
__ Professional organizations
__ Retirement plan holders
__ Return address labels (order new ones)
__ Schools (BONUS: get copies of transcripts)
__ Snow removal service
__ Social Security Administration
__ Swimming pool maintenance (pool cleaning, pool opening or closing)
__ Swimming pool memberships
__ Veterinarian BONUS get vet records and recommendations
__ Water delivery service
== 4 Weeks Prior to Move: Resources and Packing ==
If you're moving yourself, start recruiting friends, family, neighbors and co-workers well in advance. Offer free breakfast, lunch, snacks, and drinks for your workforce, and be sure to deliver as promised!
Get the essential moving supplies.
At minimum, you will need:
__ Markers to label boxes (preferably wide tip, dark color)
__ Moving boxes
__ Newsprint, packing peanuts or other cushioning material
__ Packing tape
__ Scissors or utility knife
Make a moving organizer.
You can make a moving organizer for all your important notes, receipts, and important information by getting:
__ Binder, 3-ring, at least " wide
__ Pocket dividers to separate sections and hold important receipts
__ Paper for keeping all your notes (3-holed graph paper is ideal for this).
Start packing!
For complete packing tips, see http://www.Movers-Edge.com/Packing-Tips-s/1.htm. NOTE: Almost everyone under-estimates how much time it takes to pack, so start early and leave plenty of extra time.
Start separating cherished items from the non-essential.
One of the biggest secrets of moving success is eliminating as many items from the move as possible. Donate items to charity, give them to friends, prepare them for a yard sale or throw them out.
== 2 Weeks Prior To Moving ==
Make arrangements to return items.
Here are some critical items to return prior to moving:
__ Clothing at dry cleaners, tailors or in storage
__ Clothing lent to friends
__ Items at repair shops
__ Tools lent to neighbors or friends
Open bank accounts near your new address.
You may want to open a new safe deposit box at the same time, and move all vital papers and/or jewelry into the box in advance. That way you don't have to worry about them on moving day.
Create one "Open Me First" box for each room.
You'll need to access certain packed items almost immediately after you arrive, and they need to be packed together in special boxes (one per room) and marked with either bright red markers or special stickers so you can spot them easily. The specific rooms are:
Kitchen:
__ aluminum foil
__ break-proof or disposable flatware, cups, and plates
You want to be completed for non-essential rooms such as the basement, garage, attic, utility rooms, etc. so you can focus on main living areas in the last weeks.
Start eating up perishable food from freezer and refrigerator.
Consider holding a "Packing Party."
Invite trusted friends over for a "Farewell Packing Party." Provide free food and drinks, provide upbeat background music, and allow friends to tackle projects that require little supervision, such as packing books or pots and pans. Have friends take pictures and send you copies.
Hold a yard sale.
You might be surprised to learn that you can earn a few hundred dollars by selling non-essential items, earning you cash and making your move more efficient.
== 1 Week Prior to Moving Day ==
Confirm start time, current home address and future home address with movers.
Even if you already have this information, it's a good idea to double-check. It's also wise to ask who you can contact (name and phone number) if the movers don't show up on-time, since the start of the move may be well before the movers' offices open.
Recruit friends for "moving day madness."
Having extra help for last-minute errands or helping to watch movers and answer questions can be invaluable.
Make arrangements for child and/or pet sitting.
Having small children and pets watched on Moving Day can eliminate a lot of stress and confusion on the big day, especially while taking care of all the other important details.
1 Day Prior to Moving Day
Make sure everyone's cell phone is fully charged.
Moving Day would be a bad day to be out of contact. :-)
Have everyone pack one or two suitcases or a knapsack (no more).
Even if you're only moving across the street, having a suitcase with the following, taken with you instead of on the moving truck if possible, will make things easier once you move in:
__ Eyeglasses
__ Favorite toy for the kids
__ Prescriptions
__ Something to read
__ Three days' worth of changes of clothes
__ Toothbrush and toothpaste (if not in "Open Me First" box)
== Moving Day ==
Start early.
Moving is stressful enough without waking up late and running around with movers waiting outside.
Take all garbage out of the house.
Movers get into huge trouble for leaving anything behind. So many people have been shocked to find their garbage packed into their garbage cans and sent along for the move!
Make sure drivers have your cell phone number and you have theirs, along with their names.
Things come up on moving day- make sure you have a way to stay in contact. q Be available for movers' questions. You need to be visible and available at all times- near the door is usually a good spot.
Perform final checks before leaving current home.
Here are some final items to verify before shutting the door for the last time:
Are the air conditioning, fans, and heat turned off?
Is the water shut off, including to hoses?
Are the light switches turned off?
Are the keys and garage door openers for current home turned in or left on the kitchen counter?
Anything left in refrigerator, freezer, stove, drawer under stove, in closets, in bathroom, under porch, in garage, in attic, in crawlway?
Did you pack your hoses and sprinklers?
Use this checklist to help manage the details of your upcoming relocation, and enjoy your move!
About the author
T. Scott Clendaniel is a consultant, speaker and writer. Clendaniel is the veteran of 16 lifetime moves, including across the Pacific Ocean and back. He is also the founder of website http://www.Movers-Edge.com, offering a wide variety of FREE moving resources.
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