Moving Checklist

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Six weeks prior to Moving Day:

____ Obtain and fill out post office change-of-address cards.

____ Subscribe to the paper in your new hometown to learn more about your new community.

____ Make arrangements for storage if necessary.

____ Ask your doctor or health plan provider for referrals, and obtain all medical records.

____ Have antiques, pieces of art, and other valuables appraised.

____ Clean all closets and drawers.

____ Start using foods and cleaning supplies that cannot be moved.

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Four weeks prior to Moving Day:

____ Schedule disconnection of all utility services at your old home, and connection of them at your new one. Be sure to disconnect the day after you leave and connect the day before you arrive. If you have "last month" deposits with services, such as the telephone company, request your refund.

____ If you are moving yourself, reserve a rental truck.

____ If you are packing yourself, obtain packing materials and start packing items you won't need until after you arrive at your new house. See our Packing Tips.

____ Arrange for cleaning and repair of furniture, drapes, and carpeting.

____ Arrange for special transportation of your pets and plants if necessary.

____ Check with your insurance company to see how your possessions are covered during transit.

____ Make any travel plans necessary for your move.

____ Check to see if you need any moving permits.

____ Plan your moving sale. Remember to check with local authorities about restrictions.

____ Collect your important records -- Gather personal and family records, including medical and dental, veterinary and school records; legal and financial documents; birth certificates, passports and insurance documents.

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Three weeks prior to Moving Day:

____ Properly dispose of items that cannot be moved, such as flammable liquids.

____ Prepare auto registration for transfer (if moving to another state).

____ If you are moving in or out of an apartment, arrange for use of the elevator.

____ Make child-care arrangements for moving day.

____ Hold your moving sale.

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Two weeks prior to Moving Day:

____ Arrange for disposal of anything not sold at your moving sale.

____ Service your car in preparation for the move. If you're moving from a warm climate to a cold one, check your antifreeze.

____ Return any borrowed items (including library books) and  retrieve any loaned items.

____ Cancel newspaper delivery.

____ Notify any creditors of your move.

____ Transfer prescriptions and be sure you have an adequate supply of medications on hand.

____ Assemble a file folder of information to leave for the new owner of your home.

____ Change your address - One week before your move, send change-of-address cards to everyone who will need to contact you.

____ Pick up laundry - Laundry tickets are easy to misplace, so ask for your things by name and not just by the receipts you have.

____ Pack a travel kit: Put aside critical items like a checkbook, credit cards, personal phone book, ID, flashlight, keys, toiletries, tools, paper plates, cups, towels, travel alarm clock, aspirin, bandages and games for the kids. Also, pack a suitcase with clothing and other personal items.
 
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One day prior to Moving Day:

____ Transfer your bank accounts.

____ Take animals to vet for immunization, if necessary.

____ Close and empty your safe-deposit box.

____ Settle any bills with local businesses.

____ Drain power equipment of oil and gas. Drain water hoses.

____ Find new homes for plants that will not be moved.

____ Confirm any travel reservations.

____ Drain your waterbed.

____ Defrost refrigerator and freezer, propping doors open.

____ Let movers pack your belongings (unless it's a do-it-yourself move).

____ Disconnect and prepare major appliances for move.

____ Set aside anything that will travel in your car so it will not be loaded on the truck.

____ Pack a box of items that will be needed first at the new house. Clearly mark this box "Load Last."

____ Obtain cash or traveler's checks for the trip and to pay the movers.

____ Confirm arrival time of your moving van/truck.

____ If moving yourself, dismantle beds and other large furniture.

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Moving Day:

____ If using a mover, be sure someone is at the old house to answer questions.

____ Note all utility meter readings.

____ Read your bill of lading and inventory carefully before signing. Keep this paperwork in a safe place.

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Delivery Day - Again, be on hand to answer any questions:

____ Check your belongings carefully and note on the inventory paperwork any damaged items.

____ On an interstate move, be prepared to pay the driver before possessions are unloaded.

____ Supervise unloading and unpacking.

____ Be prepared to pay your mover with cash, certified check, or traveler's checks unless other arrangements have been made in advance.

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