Moving is always stressful. I have prepared this checklist to help make your move as stress free as possible. If you have questions please don’t hesitate to call me at 847-370-5065 or contact me online. I will get back to you as fast as a cheetah.
Two Months Before Moving
Sort through your belongings to reduce the number of things you have to move.
Have a garage sale or donate items you no longer need to charity.
Decide whether to move yourself or hire professionals. Make reservations with a moving company or a truck rental company.
Tip: Call three companies for estimates to compare
Gather packing Supplies boxes, packing material, tape, fell markers, and scissors.
If you’re moving a long distance, make travel arrangements with the airline, hotel, and rental car agency. If you’re driving to your new home, get maps and plan your travel route.
Save all moving receipts, because some moving expenses may be tax deductible. Check the current tax code for requirements
Place your legal, medical, financial, and insurance records in a sale and accessible place
Purchase insurance coverage for valuables to be moved.
One Month Before Moving
Start packing items that aren’t regularly used such as off-season clothes and decorations and items in storage areas (garage, attic, and closets).
Make travel arrangements or your pets.
If you’re driving, get your car tuned up.
Get medical records from your doctors, dentist, optometrist. and veterinarian.
Send items (rugs. drapes. clothing. quilts. bedding) to the cleaners
Back up important computer files.
Two Weeks Before Moving
Contact your utility companies (gas, electric. water. cable, trash collector, end local phone service providers) and notify them of your move.
Sign up for services at your new address.
Contact your long distance phone company and notify them of your move.
Call friends and family and recruit help for the moving day if necessary.
Confirm your travel reservations.
Arrange to dose or transfer your bank account, if appropriate. pick up items from safety deposit box.
One Week Before Moving
Pick up items from the cleaners, repair shops, or friends.
Pack a survival kit of clothes, medicines, special foods. and so on to carry you through the day after arrival in your new home.
Finish packing all boxes minus what you’ll need in the final week.
Inform the post office of your upcoming move.
Send change-of-address cards with your new address and phone number to:
Friends and family
Banks, insurance companies, credit card companies. and other financial institutions
Magazines and newspapers
Doctors, lawyer, accountant realtor, and other service providers
State and federal tax authorities and any other government agencies as needed
Workplace. schools, and alma meters
Voter registration office and motor vehicle bureau
The Day Before
Set aside moving materials such as tape measure. pocket knife and rope.
Pad corners and stairways of house
Lay down old sheets in the entry and hallways to protect floor coverings
Remove hanging fixtures
If moving yourself, pick up the rental truck and a hand truck or dolly to move heavy boxes.
If you’re driving, check oil and gas in your car.
If you’re traveling, make sure you have tickets, charge cards, and other essentials.
Moving Day
Carry with you:
The keys to your new home.
Map of new town and directions to your house.
The telephone number of the moving company.
Cash or traveler’s checks
Documentation related to the sale of your home.
Your insurance policies and agent’s phone number.
Your current address book or personal planner.
Prescription and non-prescription medicines
Enough clothing to get by if the movers are late.
Any important personal records and documents
Any items of great personal value to you that are virtually irreplaceable (for example, a photo album).
Back-up copies of important computer files
Sheets and towels for the first night in your new home
Personal hygiene items (for example: toothpaste, soap. razor)
Arrival Day
Show movers where to place furniture and boxes.
Check inventory to ensure that eve thing was delivered before signing delivery papers.
Note any damages on the inventory sheet
Tip: It’s helpful to have the movers read off the inventory numbers on boxes and furniture while you check the inventory list
Unpack any valuable items such as silver, an and jewelry, upon arrival.
After the Move
Walk and drive around your neighborhood and community to orient yourself and your family.
Get new driver’s licenses, library cards. voter registration cards, and bus passes.
Enroll children in school.
Change locks
