Ultimate Moving Checklist

There is a lot to do when it comes to moving. That’s why we have created this complete moving checklist for you to use when preparing for your upcoming relocation. Read it over, print it out, and get started. You have some work to do. Remember, if you need any help, have any questions, or if you are ready to get your free moving quote just call Olympic Moving & Storage!

(Read: Best Professional Moving Tips)

4 WEEKS BEFORE MOVING

• Tour your house and decide which items should be discarded or donated to charity.
• Consider hosting a moving sale.
• Start researching moving companies and schedule an in-home moving quote.
• Before you get your moving estimate, decide which items you will pack and transport and which items you would like the moving company to pack and transport.
• Create a ‘Moving Binder’ to keep track of all of the moving information, your receipts, and an inventory of all the items you will be moving.
• Call your family doctors and dentists and get copies of renewable prescriptions and request medical and dental records.
• Arrange for the transfer of school records.
• If you are making an international move make sure that your passport is up to date as they can take as long as 4-6 weeks to process.
• Transfer medical/dental insurance records.
• Check your homeowners insurance and see if moving is covered.
• Transfer your fire, theft, and other personal property insurance to your new home.
• If you are moving from an apartment, notify your landlord and request your deposit back.

3 WEEKS BEFORE MOVING

• Be aware of the items that cannot be moved. Try to use, or give away, all of your perishable food, aerosols, bottled gasoline, and ammunition before your move date.
• Notify important parties of your new address, including your employer’s HR department, magazines and newspapers you subscribe to, and your credit card companies.
• Begin packing the things that you use the most infrequently, such as your waffle iron, volleyball net, and golf shoes.
• Notify the post office of your change of address. Remember you must do this for each person receiving mail at your home.
• Take care of routine checkups for your family. It may be a while before you find a good doctor, dentist, optometrist in your new area.
• If you are driving to your new home, get your car tuned up in preparation for the trip.
• Separate your valuables and place them in a lock box that you will transport with you personally.
• If you are doing your own packing, start buying the moving supplies you will need including boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, and box labels.
• Schedule your moving date and time.

(Read: The Complete ‘Non-Allowable’ Moving List)

2 WEEKS BEFORE MOVING

• Return any library books, neighbors shovel, and any other things you’ve borrowed.
• Collect the things you have loaned out, sent to the dry-cleaners, layaway, storage, and safety deposit box.
• Schedule to be off work on your move out day.
• Plan on how you are going to move your plants.
• Take your pets to the vet and make sure that they have the proper required health certificates since each state has different regulations.
• Get an appraisal of your valuable items or antiques to verify value.
• Plan out meals with whatever is left in your cupboards so that you use the rest of your food and don’t have to throw it away.
• Send any rugs and draperies out for cleaning. Leave them in the plastic wrap upon return so they are ready to be packed up for the move.
• Arrange for the connection of utilities to your new home.
• Clean out your locker at the gym, bowling alley, and golf club.
• If you are moving pets, ensure that you have a plan to relocate them successfully. If you need to board them or leave them with friends you should confirm this now.

1 WEEK BEFORE MOVING

• Transfer your bank accounts and ask your local credit bureau to transfer your records to your new city.
• Set aside any maps, games, snacks, flashlights, medicines, important papers, and anything else that you will be taking with you in your car.
• Make a “clean out closet” that includes all of the things you will need for the final cleaning of your home after your items are all moved out.
• Arrange for your new phone, internet, and cable services to be installed at your new home.
• Make sure that all of your appliances are properly serviced for shipping.
• Pack a “first night box” with everything you will need for the first night in your new home. Pack it last so it can be unpacked first.
• Drain the water from all of your garden hoses, water beds and spa.
• Drain gasoline and oil from all of your yard and power equipment.
• Refill your prescriptions.
• Make arrangements to pay your mover if you haven’t already. Understand what type of payments that they will accept and bring cash if you want to tip the movers.
• Cancel your security, pest control, cleaning help, lawn maintenance and any other services that you receive.
• Backup your computer’s memory and have a plan for checking emails while in transit.
• Arrange for your satellite dish or cable disconnection.
• Contact your moving company to confirm your moving arrangements.
• Encourage your children to make an address book of friends.

(Read: How to Host a Profitable Moving Sale)

1 DAY BEFORE MOVING

• Put non-combustible cleaning supplies, toiletries, and other items you will need first in special boxes to be loaded last and unloaded first.
• Defrost, clean, and dry refrigerator and freezer.
• Dispose of any remaining flammables, fireworks, cleaning fluids, matches, ammunition, poisons, or anything else listed on the non-allowable list.
• Visit the ATM and get enough cash to tide you over.
• Clearly label, and be sure to point out, any extra fragile items that may need special care.
• Give your new contact information to friends, family, and important businesses.
• Gather all keys, alarm codes, and garage door openers and place them into a folder so you are prepared to hand them to the new owner or real estate agent.
• Pack pet food and pet litter.
• Unplug all electrical devices so that they are at room temperature when it comes time for the move.
• Notify the police in your town if your old home will be uninhabited for a long period of time.
• Mow your lawn one last time, especially if the house will not be occupied quickly.
• Leave a note for the new occupants with your new address so that they can forward any mail that happens to come for you after you’re gone.

CONCLUSION

If you follow our Ultimate Moving Checklist you will be organized and ready every step of your move. Relieve the stress by having this step-by-step guide. Good luck on your move!