Planning to Move Soon?

Here's a calendar of pre-move activities to help keep you on track two months, one month, three weeks, two weeks, one week, and one day prior to your move, as well as on Moving Day:

(Pause your mouse briefly over a colored section to read its label.)

Two Months Prior to Your Move
For my U.S. readers: Visit your local post office and pick up their handy Mover's Guide. The U.S. Postal Service provides this free of charge. Some of the items in the packet include: Change of Address forms, moving tips, and useful coupons that will save you money on moving supplies.
 
This is the time to pin down your moving company, if you haven't done so.

One Month Prior to Your Move

• File change of address forms for everyone who receives mail at your home.
• Notify local utilities about turn off dates and schedule connection dates for new utilities.
• Inform creditors, financial agencies, magazines, etc of your new address.
• Obtain copies of all medical and dental records. Don't forget veterinarian records for your pets.
• Sort and purge household goods. This is the perfect time to earn some extra money with a garage sale.

Three Weeks Prior to Your Move
By now you should know what you're going to pack. Notify your moving company of anything that has changed since you scheduled your move.
 
Check your homeowner's insurance policy to be sure moving is covered. Arrange insurance for your new house. Inventory all valuables and consider video taping your possessions. This visual record will be important if there's an insurance claim later on.

Two Weeks Prior to Your Move

• Transfer contents of safe deposit box.
• Arrange details of pet relocation.
• Have your auto serviced, if you'll be driving a long distance to your new home.
• If your car will be shipped, remember that the gas tank should be less than ½ full.
• Arrange to discontinue your trash pickup, landscaping service and newspapers.

One Week Prior to Your Move

• Verify with the moving company how they want to be paid.
• Transfer bank and savings accounts.
• Use up food in freezer.
• Remember to drain fuel from mowers and other power equipment that you'll be moving.
• Make arrangements for new TV/Cable, and Internet Service Provider (if applicable).
• Arrange for new cellular phone service (if applicable).

As you pack up your boxes, consider color coding by room designation. For example, place a green self-stick dot on those boxes filled with kitchen items; blue for your son's bedroom; red for the family room, etc. Go to your new residence ahead of time and place corresponding colored dots on the door of target rooms. If you can't get to the home due to distance, ask your realtor or rental agent to do this for you. Provide them with a floor plan and place colored dots on the plan as assigned. Don't forget to mark your boxes with a written room designation in case those dots don't survive the move. Also write contents on the box with a magic marker (e.g. "linens for kid's bedroom," "kitchen utensils," "office supplies," etc).

Pack a box of must-have items that will travel with you in the car: A cooler for beverages, items to keep the kids happy, etc.

The Day Before Your Move

• Defrost and clean your refrigerator.
• Make sure you have travelers checks in sufficient amounts to deal with unforeseen circumstances such as transportation breakdowns or having to stay in a motel and eat out an extra day.
• Let a relative or close friend know your travel route and schedule. Ask them to be your message center while you're in transit.

Moving Day

• Remember to verify the new address and phone number when you sign the mover's bill of lading.
• Leave keys with new owner or realtor.
• Double check the house to be sure you aren't leaving something behind. Lock windows and doors.
• Carry jewelry and important documents with you.

That should do it. Have A Great Move!

All the best,