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Helpful Hints

  • Touch base with utility companies to find out how much notice they need to establish a new connection/transfer
  • Plan to take the day off for moving day
  • Find useful things for your children to do — involve them as much as possible
  • Find someone to help watch small children on move day
  • While packing, clean as you go
  • Hold a garage sale, donate, sell, or trash unnecessary items
  • Plan how you will arrange furniture in the new place — use a floor plan or sketch
  • As move date approaches, begin using up perishable foods
  • Keep some cash on hand. Cash is handy for tipping your movers, or when sending someone on an errand such as lunch, parts, or unexpected repairs items
  • Keep important documents/papers together in an easy-to-find file. You never know when something unexpected may come up
  • Research storage facilities if needed

During the Month of Your Move

Schedule disconnection/connection of utilities at old and new place:
  • Phone
  • Internet
  • Cable
  • Water
  • Garbage
  • Gas
  • Electric
  • Newspaper
  • Housecleaning
  • Lawn
  • Pool
  • Water Delivery
Complete your change of address checklist:
  • Bank(s)
  • Credit Cards
  • IRS
  • Loans
  • Insurance
  • Pension plans
  • Attorney
  • Accountant
  • Physicians
  • Family support
  • Newspapers
  • Magazines
  • Licenses
  • Memberships
Provide important contacts with your new address:
  • Employers
  • Family and Friends
  • Attorney
  • Accountant
  • Others
Movers do not move houseplants, lamps, unboxed pictures, unboxed clothes, or pets. Plan ahead how these items will be transported.

Week of Your Move

  • Check your furniture for damages — note damages on your inventory
  • Take furniture apart if necessary (desks, shelves, etc.)
  • Make sure all paperwork for the old and new place is complete
  • Get rid of flammables such as paint, propane, and gasoline
  • Remove propane tank from BBQ. Secure patio umbrella
  • Try and use up perishable food
  • Confirm all moving details and that you have necessary paperwork
  • Make a schedule or action plan for the day of the move
  • Defrost your freezer and clean the fridge
  • Make any home repairs that you have committed to making
  • Return borrowed, checked-out, and rented items
  • Get things back that you have lent out
  • Finalize moving method and make necessary arrangements
  • Separate valuable items to transport with you — label as DO NOT MOVE
  • Fill out a Change of Address form at a post office or online

Day of Move

  • Remove bedding
  • Take movers/helpers through the house to inform them of what to do
  • Before movers leave old residence walk through the empty place to check for things left behind — look behind doors, kitchen cabinets, drawers, closets, etc.
  • Make sure your movers have the correct new address and directions if necessary
  • Lock the windows and doors and turn off the lights

At Your New Place

  • Verify utilities are working — especially power, water, heating, and cooling
  • Perform an initial inspection, note all damages and take photographs if needed
  • Clean the kitchen and vacuum as needed (especially where furniture will be going)
  • Direct movers/helpers where to put things
  • Begin unpacking, starting with kitchen, bathroom, and other essentials
  • Confirm that mail is now arriving at your new address
  • Double-check utilities/services have been stopped at your old address
  • After you are moved in, update your home inventory, including photos of rooms; updating your renter’s insurance or homeowners insurance if needed