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The Ultimate Mover's Checklist

Apartment Hunting

 
Packing up boxes and removing all those pictures from the wall that represent your memories can make a huge impact upon your life. In fact, moving is known to be one of life’s most stressful experiences. [1] Even if you can afford movers, it can be difficult on you — both emotionally and physically. Save yourself some headaches, heartbreaks and cash by using this infographic to check off important steps to get you from one place to the next.
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Get Ready & Give Notice

  • Your rental agreement most likely has a clause stating how much advance notice you must give before moving (generally 30-60 days). [2, 7]

Start Sorting

  • Before packing everything up, purge, sell or donate unwanted items.  [5]
  • As you’re sorting, take inventory of your belongings. You’ll use this later. [2]

Round up your records
Make sure you have all your family’s important records handy (or forward them to new providers).

  • School
  • Bank
  • Medical
  • Prescriptions
  • Veterinary
  • Memberships
  • Worship
  • Service organizations
  • Chamber of Commerce
  • Gym [2, 5, 7]

Purchase packing materials

  • Use the free Weight and Volume Calculator at 123movers.com to help determine how many boxes and trucks you’ll need.

Pack & Plan

  •  Take your time packing, and it will save you a lot of time later.

Use plenty of boxes [4]

  • It’s better to have several smaller, lighter boxes than a few cumbersome, heavy ones.

Label everything!

  • Clearly mark what is in each box.
  • Number boxes for easy inventory.
  • Make sure you keep a copy of the inventory list with you.
  • Mark what room each box should be placed in at your new home. [4, 5]

Hire a pro

  • Professional movers can certainly make life easier.
  • Use a service such as 123Movers.com to get quotes and compare. [3]
  • Your moving company also should help you with inventory. [4]

Last-minute Minutiae
Remember all those little things to wrap up your exit.

  • Schedule a walk-through with your former landlord. [2, 4]
  •  Consume or donate items you don’t want to move. Such as produce, frozen foods, etc. [4]
  • Defrost your freezer and refrigerator and clean the old place.
  • Arrange for babysitting during the move.
  • Arrange for plenty of time off for the moving days. [2, 5]
  • Taking photos of the space during the final walk through is a good idea in case of a dispute.

Forward & Flip
Arrange to have your utilities and deliveries arrive with you in your new place. Turn off old utilities and turn on new utilities.

  • Power and Gas
  • Water
  • Sewage and Garbage
  • Phone
  • Cable
  • Internet [2, 4, 5, 7]

Forward your mail
As soon as you know your new address, fill out the USPS address change form. You may do it online at usps.gov.

  • Let everyone know your new address:
    • Bank
    • Old utilities (for final billings)
    • Subscription and prescription services
    • A business that may require your address
    • Anyone who sends you mail! [2, 4, 5, 7]
  •  Notify Your State:
    • Get your driver’s licenses and other IDs updated [2]

 Resources:

  • Try ForRent.com to search for your new place. You will also find tools such as a customized, time-sensitive moving checklist, city guides and tips for a kid- and/or pet-friendly move. [6]
  • Go to 123movers.com to shop for and compare moving companies, packing materials and storage – even if you are moving overseas.

Sources: 
[1]http://www.essortment.com/tips-reducing-moving-stress-16072.html
[2] http://www.forrent.com/moversChecklist.php
[3] http://www.123movers.com/
[4] http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2012/02/29/8-great-moving-day-tips/
[5] http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/organizing/moving/moving-checklist-00000000000208/index.html
[6] http://www.forrent.com/apartment-tips.php
[7] http://www.first30days.com/moving-to-a-new-city/tip/184