 Every family’s schedule for a move will be different,
of course. But much of the hassle can be taken out
of Moving Day by adapting a proven timetable to fit
available time. Feel free to shift tasks to suit your
special circumstances.
M-Day (Moving Day) Minus Six Weeks
- Change address at post office (effective on moving
day). Keep a list of needed address changes; check off as
notified. Change magazines and other computer-addressed
mail now.
- Start a file of vital papers and reminders (an accordion
file or three-ring binder with pocket dividers keeps them in
their proper categories).
- Get estimates from moving companies. Plan ahead if
moving in peak season ofJune through September.
M-Day Minus Five Weeks
- Select moving company, confirm moving date and
decide who will pack: professionals or family. Paid packers
typically come the day before M-day.
- Start sorting. Decide what to move, what to sell, give
away, discard. Take cuttings or give away extra house
plants. Trim down as much as possible before take-off.
Be ruthless.
- Sketch floor plan of new home, decide furniture
placement.
- Inventory possessions, with
value and year of purchase if possible.
Photo or video records are ideal.
- Start do-it-yourself packing: seldom used dishes, glassware, books, off-season clothes, workshop, garage, garden
tools, hobby equipment. Establish staging area for packed
cartons in extra room or garage.
M-Day Minus Four Weeks
- Take care of legal contracts (by self or with the help of
an attorney, insurance agent, accountant and/or a relocation advisor). Included:
- credit cards, bank accounts, charge accounts
utilities and telephone services
- memberships in social, athletic and religious organizations; make arrangements to move membership
- insurance: homeowners, automobile, medical, life
and disability
- employment agreements
- wills, trusts and other legal or financial matters; safe
deposit box
- leased products and services.
- Make sure employer has new address. Get letters of
reference to establish credit in new location.
- Talk with veterinarian about moving pets; get records.
Allow extra time if needed shots require a waiting period
in between. Check airplane restrictions.
M-Day Minus Three Weeks
- Arrange for children’s medical/dental records, birth
certificates and school transcripts. Ask doctors, dentists to
recommend colleagues in the new area.
- Fill prescriptions and get copy from doctor for new
pharmacist or optometrist.
- Drop off dry cleaning (make a note: remember to pick
it up!)
- Pick up anything being repaired, serviced or on layaway
M-Day Minus Two Weeks
- Check address-change list. Everyone notified?
- Make reservations, have car serviced for the trip.
Earlier ticketing can save money, but risks partial loss if
changes are needed. Best to provide breathing room.
- Collect children’s games, activities for the trip.
- Arrange to have major appliances serviced for move,
if needed. Check owners’ manuals.
- Start packing often-used belongings(do-it-yourselfers).
- Plan farewell parties and visits for this week.
M-Day Minus One Week
- Return borrowed items, library books; collect anything
borrowed by friends and neighbors.
- Cancel newspaper delivery, effective on M-Day.
- Plan meals and snacks, to minimize shopping and use
up on-hand food. Have “quick-fix”
foods ready for M-Day, or plan to eat
out/carry in.
- Consider having kids go to
friends/babysitter for M-Day.
- Arrange to have utilities turned
on in the new location on estimated
move-in date.
- Empty oil and gas from lawnmower and other equipment.
- Pack everything in kitchen
that you can do without until
unpacked at new home.
M-Day Minus One Day
- Empty, defrost and clean refrigerator. Leave door
open to dry well.
- Get travelers checks. Empty safe deposit box.
Consider cashier’s check for opening checking account in
new town and certified check for house closing. Make
arrangements to pay movers (personal checks may not be
accepted).
- Finish packing suitcase with personal belongings to
use until van arrives at new home.
- Finish packing kitchen things.
- Pack “CARE” carton of essentials (coffee pot, toiletries, canned and dry food, can opener, light bulbs, trash
bags, sauce pan, etc.) to be loaded last and unloaded first.
- Load the car, if driving to new home. Pack favorite
picnic food to save money.
M-Day
- Strip beds.
- Load last-minute items in car.
- Be available to movers for questions/suggestions,
but don't try to supervise the van packing. Mark boxes
(colored stickers are ideal) for room placement in new
home. Check inventory carefully. Be sure movers know
how to contact you en route and in the new town before
their arrival. Give them map to new home.
- Check rooms, cupboards, closets, drawers,
dishwasher, washer/dryer. Empty garbage.
- Sweep or vacuum (borrow neighbor’s equipment).
- Leave appliance manuals, warranties, neighbors’
names, service companies, drawing of things in yard that
don't show now (like bulbs). Give new owner the address
so stray mail can be forwarded.
- Say goodbye to the home with a final check. Lock up.
Leave keys and garage-door opener in designated place.
Take off.
Moving In
- Be at new home a day ahead of van, if possible, to be
sure utilities are connected and to plan for placement of
furnishings.
- When movers arrive, open the “CARE” package and
start feeling “at home."
- As movers unload, direct the placement of furnishings.
Give them a floor plan sketch. Check each item off inventory sheet.
- Check exterior of cartons for damage before signing
- Celebrate! Go out or carry in for dinner.
E-Mail Laura at: laura@lauragilley.com today!
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