Moving Day Countdown

Moving can be a real hassle.  There really is a lot to do to make the transition a smooth one.  And if you don’t take the right approach to preparation and planning, you could find yourself in a very overwhelming situation.  Here is a great outline for taking on the moving process courtesy of Century 21:

Two months prior to Moving Day

1. If you use a mover, get a few estimates from moving companies.
2. If you will move yourself, get costs from at least two truck rental companies.
3. Create a floor plan of your new apartment for furniture and appliance placement.
4. Make an inventory of your household goods and begin to remove clutter.
5. Start a file for all your moving paperwork (estimates, receipts, etc.).  Staying organized during the move is important.
6. Choose a mover or truck rental company.
7. Visit smoothmoves.com for tips on moving with children.

Six weeks prior to Moving Day

1. Obtain and fill out post office change-of-address cards.
2. Subscribe to the paper in your new hometown to learn more about your new community, and make storage arrangements if necessary.
3. Ask your current doctors or insurance companies for referrals in your new residential area, and obtain health records for easy transition.
4. Clean all closets and drawers.
5. Start using up all food and cleaning supplies that cannot be moved.

Four weeks prior to Moving Day

1. Schedule disconnection of all utility services at your old residence, and connection of new services at your new residence.
2. If moving and packing yourself, make sure you reserve a rental truck and obtain any packing materials and start packing items you won’t need until after you move into your new residence.
3. Arrange for special transportation of your pets and plants if necessary.
4. Check with your insurance company for coverage of your possessions during the move.
5. Make travel plans for the final move.
6. Check to see if you need moving permits.
7. Plan your moving sale (ex. Yard sale).  Remember to check with local authorities about restrictions.
8. Collect all important records and make sure you secure them doing the move (ex. Birth certificates, social security cards, legal records, etc.).

Three weeks prior to Moving Day

1. Properly dispose of items that cannot be moved (i.e. flammable liquids).
2. Prepare auto registration for transfer (if moving to another state).
3. Arrange use of the elevator in your apartment on move-in day.  Often Sundays are prohibited for moving purposes.
4. Hold your moving sale.

Two Weeks prior to Moving Day

1. Arrange for disposal of anything not gotten rid of during your moving sale.
2. Service your car in preparation for the move.  Suggestion: if moving from warm to cold climate, check your antifreeze!
3. Return borrowed items *library books) and retrieve any items you have loaned out.
4. Cancel your newspaper delivery
5. Notify any creditors of your move.
6. Transfer prescriptions and make sure you have adequate supply of meds on hand.
7. Change your address; send change-of-address cards to everyone who will need to contact you.
8. Pack a necessities travel kit: checkbook, credit cards, ID, flashlight, keys, toiletries, tools, paper plates, cups, towels, aspirin, personal phonebook, etc.

One day prior to Moving Day

1. Transfer your bank accounts
2. Take animals to vet for immunizations, if necessary.
3. Close and empty your safe-deposit box.
4. Drain power equipment of oil and gas.  Drain water hoses.
5. Confirm any travel reservations
6. Defrost refrigerator and freezer, propping doors open.
7. If using a moving company, let them pack your belongings.
8. Disconnect and prepare major appliances for move (washer, dryer, microwave, oven, etc.).
9. Set aside car travel items is they will not be loaded on the moving truck.
10. Pack a box of items that will be needed first at the new house and clearly mark the box “Load Last.”
11. Confirm arrival time of your moving van or truck.

Moving Day

1. If using a mover, be sure someone is at the old house to answer questions.
2. Note all utility meter readings.
3. Read your bill of lading and inventory carefully before signing.  Keep this paperwork ina  asafe place.

Delivery Day

1. Check your belongings carefully and note on the inventory paperwork any damaged items.
2. On interstate moves, be prepared to pay the driver before your possessions are loaded.
3. Supervise unloading and unpacking.
4. Be prepared to pay your mover with cash, certified check, or traveler’s checks unless other arrangements have been made in advance.

Source:  Century21.com
Picture Courtesy of: TheMuuj