Moving Checklist

Creating a moving checklist is one of the most important steps that you can take in order to prepare for your move. There are so many different things going on during this time, and you need to have a list pointing out the things that must be accomplished before the actual moving day. Many lists include tasks assigned to groups according to when they need to be completed. This makes it very easy for those who are moving to take a look at the week ahead of them before they begin on any one task.

In order to help you better understand a moving checklist, we have compiled some of the most common things into a template checklist for you. Feel free to print copies of this checklist and personalize it to your own specific needs.

Eight Weeks Before Moving Day
░ Decide on a moving method and obtain moving quotes from companies that provide the services that you need.
░ Determine and create your moving budget. If your company is paying for part of your move, find out what services they will authorize.
░ Obtain and review the FMCSA publication on rights and responsibilities. Ask questions that you may have to prospective companies before you decide to hire them.
░ Begin looking into the place that you will be moving to. Learn about what the neighborhood has to offer and what is close by.
░ Request new resident information from the Chamber of Commerce in your new location.
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Seven Weeks Before Moving Day
░ Decide on a date to move.
░ Sign a contract and hire a company. Keep their number close so that you can call them whenever you have another question or concern.
░ If you are packing yourself, start to obtain packing supplies and make a plan on packing.
░ Build a moving schedule.
░ Schedule the transfer of school records and medical records, or request copies that you can hand deliver.
░ Find out how to cancel memberships to health clubs, gyms, or other programs that you may be a part of. See if you can transfer the membership as well.
░ Start collecting copies of important paperwork that you might need, including financial documents, insurance paperwork, and legal records.
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Six Weeks Before Moving Day
░ Have a Garage sale or sell things online. Cleaning out will make packing, unpacking, and the move in general a whole lot easier.
░ Donate items that do not sell to a local charity. Make sure to get a receipt for your tax records.
░ Take your pets to see the veterinarian. Make sure to get up to date record to take to the new doctor.
░ Build a list of people that you need to notify about the fact that you are relocating. Include relatives, friends, and businesses.
░ Build a map of your new home and start thinking about where each of your things is going to go when you get there.
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Five Weeks Before Moving Day
░ Start packing up things that are not used on a daily basis. Books, special dishes, and seasonal clothes are good places to start.
░ Start using up frozen foods and begin to only purchase foods and perishables that will be used before you move. Do the same with chemical cleaners that cannot be moved or packed.
░ Contact your moving company and confirm your moving date. Start planning for the events of moving day.
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Four Weeks Before Moving Day
░ File change of address paperwork with the postal service. You can do this online or by mailing in a card that you get at your local office.
░ Call all utility companies and schedule the disconnection and final billing date for things like cable, electric, and water. Make sure to have your new address on hand to give them.
░ Cancel newspaper subscriptions and other local subscriptions.
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Three Weeks Before Moving Day
░ Return any borrowed items and make sure to pick up any cleaning or repairs that you may have out.
░ Get rid of hazardous materials that cannot be moved. Make sure to use proper procedures to do this.
░ Get together any paperwork or information that you will need upon arrival in your new home. This can include vehicle registration and birth certificates.
░ Consider taking your car in to a mechanic to make sure that it is in good working order.
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Two Weeks Before Moving Day
░ Confirm and prepare all arrangements for the transport of people and pets on moving day.
░ Notify anyone you owe of your move and provide them with your new address.
░ Plan out meals and how you will be eating over the next couple of weeks. Try to avoid needing to use appliances that may not be in working order yet.
░ Obtain travelers checks for expenses that may be encountered along the way.
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One Week Before Moving Day
░ Drain waterbeds, disconnect appliances, and get things that you use often ready for the move.
░ Pack ‘travel’ boxes that will include important things for each member of the family.
░ Place any and all important paperwork in a single file that is not to be packed.
░ Consider getting help with children for moving day.
░ Plan out moving day, including the help you will need, the food that will feed your help, and the time you will have.
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Moving Day
░ Load the truck or supervise the loading of your things into the truck. Always be present for moving day.
░ Verify that all information is correct on the paperwork that the movers present you with.
░ Keep a close friend informed about what is going on in case you run into trouble and need help.
░ Check everything twice before locking, signing, or leaving.
░ Turn in keys to landlord or Realtor. Make sure that you take note of any utility readings before you leave.
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