The preparation stage - two to month before moving
Calls to action: from one month to two weeks before moving
Things to do: two weeks before moving
Things to do: one week before moving
The big day: moving day
Welcome to your new home: moving in
The day after: settling in
The preparation stage: Two months to One month before moving.
Planning and organization are the secrets behind a smooth move.
The First step: Finalize all real estate and rental deals
Step Two: Call your movers
Consult your movers and make sure your move is scheduled.
Step Three: Collect information about your new community
You would already have some knowledge about the locality you're moving in to. Add to it by requesting information from the local Chamber of Commerce or other such bodies about schools, community programs, parks and recreation facilities etc.
You will also want to identify new service providers, from doctors to mechanics.
If you are moving to another state:
- Check requirements for new drivers license and auto registration.
- Some state laws prohibit the moving of houseplants. Check whether this applies to you and, if it does, decide what you want to do with your plants.
- Ensure that your pets have proper, up to date health certificates and rabies inoculations. Some states might require these documents.
Step Four: Decide on items to be moved
This is the time to decide what items you want to keep and what to dispose of- you might not want to transport everything to your new home. Remember that the more you transport, the more it costs you.
If you decide to dispose of some items, you could:
- Donate them to a charity
- Hold a garage sale.
Make sure that you finish the disposal at least two weeks before moving.
Tips for holding a garage sale:
- Make sure you advertise locally
- Consult your neighbors- you might find others who wish to sell old stuff; you could team up with them for a large 'neighborhood sale'.
Step Five: Packing plans
Decide who will do the packing- or most of it. It is advisable to have your transport agent handle the bulk of the packing- after all, this is what they do for a living, and they would know the best methods for keeping items secure.
Ask the packing and moving agent for pricing information for such specific services such as piano packing and unpacking, storage etc.
Step Six: Relocation plans
Start thinking of where to place your furniture in your new home.
Drawing a floor plan will help reduce stress, as well as save you a lot of time, when your furniture reaches your new home.
Step Seven: Travel arrangements
Fix up travel arrangements (flight tickets/car rental/ hotel reservations if required) for yourself and your family. Try to keep options open- Moving house may call for flexible schedules.
If you have pets, you might require special arrangements to transport them.
Step Eight: Documents, receipts...
You need to pay special attention to critical documents and keep them safe and accessible. You should also plan on taking all such documents and other valuables with you.
- Medical and dental records, including prescription and vaccination records.
- Wills, stock certificates, insurance policy certificates
- Jewelry, coin or stamp collections, etc
Retain all receipts for moving related expenses in a separate folder. They may be tax deductible.
Step Nine: Notifications
You need to do more than tell your friends your new address:
- Notify both the old and new schools for new registration and transfer of school records.
- Inform the IRS through form 8822 (call (800) 829-1040 or visit www.irs.gov) and obtain form 3903 for deduction of moving expenses.
- Call your insurance agent/s for transfer of property, fire, auto and medical insurance. You may also wish to make a detailed list of your belongings, their value, and you coverage.
- Think whether you have any other registration that required a permanent home address, or anything else that might see letters coming to your old address.
- Obtain a Change of Address form from the local post office or get it online from www.usps.com
- Draw up a list of people and others whom you'll need to inform of your change of address.
Hints:
- Friends and family
- Clubs or Associations
- Magazine and Newspaper agents
- Doctors, dentists and any other service providers
- Banks
- Insurance companies
- Credit card companies
Calls to action: From one month to two weeks before moving
Step One: Packing supplies and preparation.
If you plan to do you own packing, even if partial, start collecting moving and packing supplies.
It is advisable to purchase these from a moving supply company- the supplies they provide are specifically designed for the moving industry, to prevent or minimize possible damage to items being moved.
Other boxes may not be of standard sizes that are best accommodated in the moving van, or may not stand up to the trip.
Ask your transport agent details about handling unusual and delicate items; prepare infrequently used items.
Step Two: Borrowed goods.
Return all items you have borrowed. They may be books from the library, tools from your neighbors...
Also remember to collect items you may have lent out, or given for servicing or cleaning, like furs and clothing.
Step Three: Arrange for a babysitter for your kids while your goods are being loaded (and unloaded at your new home)
Step Four: Unpacking of goods is a separate service, that you will have to order in advance. Order the same if you so require.
Step Five: If you live in, or are moving to, a building with elevators, ensure that the elevator will be available for service on moving out/moving in day.
Things to do: Two weeks before moving
One: What had you decided about disposing of the items you didn't want to take with you?
Two: Back up all your computer files on compact discs. It is advisable to take these with you.
Three: Clear your safe deposit boxes
Four: Transfer all prescriptions to a drugstore in your new city
Five: Dispose of items that are hazardous or flammable and are not permitted for transporting.
Six: Tape and seal all fluids that are ton-toxic and non-flammable.
Seven: Make final packing decisions
Eight: Have your car serviced, if you plan to travel by it.
Nine: Clean out school and gym lockers.
Ten: Mow your lawn one last time
Eleven: Clear and clean out your home. Remember the basement, the attic and closets.
Twelve: Schedule disconnection of appliances.
Thirteen: Inform newspaper agents and others that do regular deliveries.
Fourteen: If you need to use outside storage, call your transporting agent for options.
Things to do: One Week before moving
One: Drain all power tools like your lawn mower and snow blower of all the oil and gasoline to ensure safety during transportation.
Two: Separate the items that you wish to take with you, like documents and valuables, and those that are to be moved by the transport company. Drawing up a list will help.
Three: Prepare the items you will need while shifting. These include both items you will need while traveling, as well as items you will require for the first night you spend at your new home, like clothing and toiletries. Pack your suitcases.
Four: Confirm travel arrangements for yourself and your family. Arrange for payment to the transporting agents. Also provide them with an address and phone number where you can be reached until you get to your new home. Make sure they also know the address and phone number of your new home. Verify your travel and transport insurance polices.
Five: Disconnect and clean electrical and other appliances, including the ones you will leave behind. Empty, defrost and clean out your refrigerator and freezer at least 24 hours before moving. Clean your stove at the same time. You can use baking soda to get rid of any odors. Try leaving a container of baking soda in the refrigerator.
Six: Check whether you have any unsettled bills with local vendors or any uncollected laundry/dry cleaning. Also check for unreturned library books and videos.
Seven: Collect all the house keys, alarm codes and garage door remotes for handing over to the real estate agent or new occupant. Make sure you have not overlooked any repairs, minor ones included.
Eight: If the house you're moving out of will be unoccupied for more than a few days after you move out, it is advisable to notify the police.
Moving Out
- Search around the house, in every room and closet, before the moving van arrives. Clean your house as much as you can. Verify that all utilities have been disconnected.
- Get a baby sitter for your kids and put your pets in a room where they will not get in the way of the loading process.
- Leave your phone connected throughout moving day. Pack it in one of your suitcases only after the movers have left.
- Be on hand when the movers arrive. "Work" with the movers, and stay at home till the last item is packed.
- Make a final inspection before the transport vehicle leaves. It is your responsibility to see that all your items are packed and loaded.
- If you cannot be present while the movers at work, designate a friend or family member to stand in for you and make decisions on your behalf. Inform the transporting agent about whom you have given the authority. Be sure that the person you choose knows exactly what to do and what valuation liability program and amount you have selected. This person may be asked to sign documents obligating you to charges.
- Accompany the mover/driver as he or she inspects each piece of furniture and identifies them with number tags. These numbers will appear on the inventory, along with a detailed description of your goods as at the time of loading.
- Check the mover's inventory and make sure you agree with any comments about the condition of your items-take pictures if required.
- Provide the driver with clear directions to your new house. Also provide your new phone number and any other phone numbers on which you may be reached while the shipment is in transit. Make sure you take along the destination agent's name, address and telephone number.
- Hand over keys, garage door remote controls and alarm codes to the new occupant or real estate agent.
Moving in
- If possible, have your phone connected a day before move-in day.
- It is your responsibility to contact the destination agent if you cannot be reached on any of the phone numbers you have provided.
- The driver will contact you or the destination agent before the expected arrival time. This provides time to locate you and to prepare for unloading.
- Review your floor plan so you are ready to tell the movers where to place your furniture and appliances.
- Make yourself available during the unloading process so that the movers can place your furniture where you wish.
- If you cannot be present while the van is being unloaded make sure you authorize a representative to accept delivery and pay the charges on your behalf. Inform the destination agent of your representative's name.
- You, or your representative, will be asked to note the condition of your goods as mentioned in the inventory, and to note any missing items or damaged goods at the time of delivery.
- By signing the inventory sheet, you (or your representative) are acknowledging the receipt of all items listed. Record any loss or damage on the inventory sheet and report this to the destination agent immediately.
- Make sure you have your reference number when calling the destination agent for questions or complaints.
- You will also be asked to sign the pack/unpack certificate and the bill of lading.
- Unless other arrangements were made in advance, you are required by federal regulation to pay upon delivery for interstate moves. Payment upon delivery may be in cash, traveler's checks, money order or cashier's check. Personal checks are not accepted.
Settling In
- Do not use your stereos, computers, televisions, other electronic devices and appliances until they adjust to room temperature. This may take a few hours- its should be sufficient to avoid using them for a day after unpacking.
- Familiarize yourself with your neighborhood shopping areas. You may need house wares, tools or other items for your new home sooner than you think.
- Locate your local post office, police station, fire station and gas stations near your home. Also locate doctors and hospitals.
- Find out which day the trash is collected and what type of recycling programs are available in your community: you could get this information from the department of sanitation in your new city.
- Get new services such as banking, cleaning, cable television etc, if you have not done so already.
- Provide your new doctor and dentist with your medical history.
- Obtain local library cards.
- Register to vote in your new city.
- If you have moved to a new state, exchange your driver's license and register your vehicles.
- File documents in a safe place. Decide what must be retained and determine for how long.
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