Moving Checklist

July 21, 2003

Many of us seem to move in the summer time so that we can relocate our kids to their new school during the summer holidays. Following are a few handy tips to think about as your prepare to move to your new home:

4 Weeks Before Moving

- Tour your house and decide which items should be discarded or donated to charity. Consider a garage sale.
- Call doctors and dentists. They may recommend a colleague near your new home. Get copies of renewable prescriptions.
- Arrange transfer of school records.
- Check homeowner’s insurance policies to see if moving is covered. Be sure your new home is protected by transferring your fire, theft and other personal-property insurance.
- Transfer personal insurance records.
- If you have houseplants to move, ask your representative for tips or a brochure on how to move your houseplants and start preparing your plants for the move.

3 Weeks Before Moving

- Plan to use up most food items before the move.
- Check and clear tax assessments.
- Arrange to have major appliances serviced before you move them. If this is a company-paid move, check with your move coordinator first.
- Movers usually are unable to take aerosols, flammables, firearm ammunition or propane tanks. It’s best to use them up or give them away before you move, otherwise, be prepared to pack and move them yourself. If you do move these items yourself, make sure you follow any safety recommendations that deal with their transport.
- If you have pets to transfer, your Agent can give you advice on the best methods.
- Notify the Post Office and get change of address forms. Notify magazines to which you subscribe. Note: You must fill out a change of address form for each person receiving mail at your address.

2 Weeks Before Moving

- Make your travel reservations for the trip.
- Decide which items you’ll pack, and which you’d like the movers to pack. They can usually provide the best packing materials at a reasonable price.
- Close or transfer all charge accounts. Return library books and other things you’ve borrowed. Collect things you’ve loaned, and items in the dry-cleaners, lay-away, cold storage etc.
- Arrange to discontinue utilities and delivery services.
- Protect your shipment from damage by disposing of flammables such as gasoline, fireworks, matches, cleaning fluids, bottled gas; or aerosols, acids and caustic drain cleaners, etc.
- Arrange connection of utilities in new home. Draw up a floor plan of your new home, and indicate placement of furnishings. It makes moving in twice as easy.
- Movers are not permitted to take down TV antennas. They can arrange to have it done, if you wish. Arrange for cable/satellite TV disconnection.

1 Week Before Moving

- Transfer bank accounts, and ask your local credit bureau to transfer your records to your new city. Reconfirm travel reservations.
- Unless another means of payment has been prearranged, e.g. credit card, personal check, or company paid – arrange to have cash, certified check or money order ready to pay driver before goods are unloaded.
- Set aside maps, games, snacks, flashlights and other items you’ll take in your car. Gather medicines and important papers for the car trip.
- Your local phone company business office can help you with phone service for your new home, as well as disconnecting service at your present home.
- Drain water from all garden hoses. Start packing suitcases.
- Get name, address and phone number of your mover’s destination agent. Drain gasoline from lawn mower.
- Anything movers are packing should be left in place. It’s easier and safer; for example, to pack glassware right from the cabinet it’s kept in.

1 Day Before Moving

- Put cleaning supplies, toiletries and coffee pot in special box to be loaded last, unloaded first.
- Finish packing all suitcases.
- Defrost, clean and dry refrigerator.

Moving Day!

- Be on hand all day to answer questions, accompany driver during inventory, sign bill of lading, and confirm your new address and delivery date. Be sure to advise him of your enroute accommodations.
- Make final check of every room and storage area. Make sure windows and doors are locked, keys are transferred and the lights are out when you leave.

Moving In

- It’s a good idea to be at your new home a day ahead of the van so you can make sure utilities are connected and you can plan the placement of major items in your new home.

Note: This information was provided by the folks at Salmon Transfer www.salmonstransfer.com


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