Moving Home Checklist

recommended SpartaMovers.com

To paraphrase an old real estate saying - the three most important factors for a stress-free move are: planning, planning, and more planning and, we would also add Labels & Lists!

Plan your move at least one month in advance.

Set up a moving expense book, and line up your suppliers - movers, storage companies, delivery of new appliances or furniture. Don't forget painters, carpet installers and other services working on your new house prior to your move in date.

We can help you with special services and pricing from a broad range of trusted providers to help keep your move hassle free.

Note: Book your moving company well in advance, just in case there is a delay with transferring over funds on possession day.

Make a list of main utilities and let them have the changeover date.

Some may be handled by your lawyer as part of the final adjustments included with the sale. Others, particularly cable television and telephone you should do yourself. Try to schedule utilities and service connections before you arrive at your new house - and book your appointments as far out in advance as possible, or you might find yourself on a waiting list at month end.

Prepare a list of personal items.

Jewelry and precious breakables, pack your pillows, a set of sheets and blankets, along with your nightclothes, a towel and toiletries to take with you in your car. Then at the end of a long and tiring day, you can get ready for bed without having to sort through boxes. You might also pack a lunch complete with utensils (and perhaps a wine opener!) to enjoy your first meal in your home. You'll want to pack the coffee maker for that first morning coffee!

6-8 Weeks before move

Organization is the key for a smooth move and this is the time to start working on the details of your move. Check with the movers to ensure your move is scheduled. This is the time to decide what items...start working on the details of your move.
 
Check with the movers to ensure your move is scheduled.
 
This is the time to decide what items you wish to transport to your new home and what you may want to dispose of. If you decide to dispose of items that you don’t need you should either donate them to charity or consider having a garage sale. Contact a local charity or pick a date at least two weeks before moving date for the garage sale. 

Start collecting suitable moving and packing supplies if you plan to do your own packing or partial packing. You can purchase all these materials from your, and most give a credit when you are finished with them. All boxes that you purchase from a movers agent or a moving supply company are specially designed for the moving industry to prevent any damage.

Think about your new home layout and start thinking about where you'll place the furniture. Create a floor plan of your new home and this will help reduce the stress of making decisions when your furniture arrives at your new home.

Get familiar with your new community. Request information from the local Chamber of Commerce on schools, community programs, parks and recreation facilities.

All travel arrangements (hotel, flights, car rental, etc.) for your family should be made at this time. Try to keep your plan as flexible as possible to accommodate any schedule changes or delays.

4-5 Weeks before move

Contact or visit your local Post Office to obtain a Change of Address form. You can also obtain this form online at the postal service website by visiting www.usps.com .   You can make copies of this change of address form...

Contact or visit your local Post Office to obtain a Change of Address form. You can also obtain this form online at the postal service website by visiting www.usps.com.

You can make copies of this change of address form or make up your own change of address notice to give to the following people and businesses.
 
 - Friends and family
 - Banks
 - Insurance companies
 - Credit card companies
 - Doctors, dentists and any other service providers
 - Clubs or Associations
 - Magazine and Newspaper subscriptions
 

This is a good time to take a look at what you own, and decide what must go and what can be left behind. All items such as old books, magazines, broken items and old toys can be left behind. Remember, adding more weight to your shipment will cost you more money.

Organize your move by deciding and making lists of what items you will not transport, what items your movers agent will move and what items you will move yourself.

Make a decision on who will do most of or all of the packing. It is a good idea that you let the movers agent do most of the packing. The movers agents know the best methods for keeping items safe and secure as this is what they do for a living.

Ask the movers agent you use for further details about handling unusual and delicate items and begin preparing those items that are not frequently used.
 
Get your kids involved in the moving process. Allow your kids to do some supervised packing, let them suggest a layout for their new room. Make it fun and exciting for them to move.

Contact utility providers (e.g. telephone, gas, electric, cable TV and trash collection) at new and old locations with your moving date to make arrangements for connection and disconnection.
 
Complete banking arrangements in old and new location and transfer any funds to your new bank if necessary.
 
Check requirements for new drivers license and auto registration in your destination state.

3 Weeks before move

Notify your mover if there are any changes in the dates of your move. If you will need any additional accessorial service such as piano moving, packing and unpacking, storage you should inform the mover agent for pricing information. Also inform the mover agent if you add or subtract items from your planned shipment.

Decide how much packing your will handle yourself. You should inform the mover agent of any items that you decided to pack.
 
Whether you move your car with the mover agent or a car carrier, you should make your final reservation for a car pick up at this time.
 
Consider giving your plants to friends or a charity if you are moving from one state to another. Some state laws prohibit the moving of houseplants.
 
Make transportation arrangements for your pets. Take your pets to your veterinarian to ensure proper up to date health certificates and rabies inoculations. Some states will require these documents.

You will need to carry all valuable jewelry with you. If you have any valuables around the house, be sure to collect them before leaving.
 
Return any borrowed items such as library books. Also collect all items that are being repaired stored or cleaned (clothing, furs, shoes etc) 
 
If you are moving to a building with an elevator make sure the elevator will be available on your intended day and time of arrival at your destination.

2 Weeks before move

Disconnect and disassemble your computer system before your move. Back up all your computer files on a disk. 

Transfer all prescriptions to a drugstore in your new city. 

Disconnect and disassemble your computer system before your move. Back up all your computer files on a disk. Consider taking all back up files and disks with you in the car or whatever mode of transportation you will be using to get to your new home. Remember, exposure to extreme temperatures can damage your software.
 
Make final packing decisions. Clean and clear your home including closets, basement and attic.
 
Dispose of items that represent a hazard and are not allowed to be shipped. Please refer to the “items not to pack” section for more information on what you cannot or should not ship.

Tape and seal all cleaning fluids that are non-toxic and non-flammable in plastic bags.
 
Drain your lawn mower, snow blower and power tools of all the oil and gasoline to ensure safe transportation.
 
Schedule appliance disconnection and preparation with a service provider.
 
If you need to use outside storage call your van line agent about storage options available.

Have your vehicle serviced if you plan to travel by car.
 
Cancel newspapers and other regular deliveries

1 Week before move

Make sure to separate out which items you'll take with you and which items the movers will take. Items you may wish to take with you could be jewelry and important documentation.

Make sure you haven't overlooked..

Make sure to separate out which items you'll take with you and which items the movers will take. Items you may wish to take with you could be jewelry and important documentation.
 

Make sure you haven't overlooked anything in the house including minor repairs

Mark the boxes to be shipped with the words, "Fragile", "Do Not Load" and "Load Last" stickers.
 
Empty, defrost and clean your refrigerator, freezer and clean your stove all at least 24 hours before moving to let them air out. Try using baking soda to get rid of any odors. You can also leave a container of baking soda in the refrigerator.
 
 (Seasonal) Mow your lawn one last time before you move.
 
Prepare items you will need while your goods are in transit. Pack your suitcases and confirm travel arrangements for you and your family. Try to keep plans as flexible as possible in the event of unexpected delays or schedule changes.
 
Make sure your agent knows the address and phone number of your new home. You should also provide an address and phone number of where you can be reached until you will get to your new home.

Arrange for payment to the mover agent. Contact your mover agent to inquire about methods of payment accepted. Generally this will be cash on delivery (COD).
 
Verify with your mover agent the insurance you have chosen. Refer to our “Insurance and Liability” guide for more information.
 
Pick up any dry cleaning and laundry.

Settle any outstanding bills with local merchants.
 
 Return videos and library books.
 
Prepare your “first night back” and “ready box”. Your first night box should contain the clothing and toiletries you will need for the first night in your new home. 
 
Disconnect and clean any appliances that will be moving with you and those that will remain.

Gather keys, alarm codes, garage door openers, canada post keys and instructions which box, and be prepared to hand over to the new owner or real estate agent.
 
If your old home will be unoccupied for a period of time after you move, notify the police.

Moving Day! Move out day and Move in day.

"Work" with the movers and be on hand when the movers arrive. If you are not able to be present while the movers are there, designate a friend or family member to help out and make decisions in your absence.

Insurance Moving companies are required to assume liability for the value of the goods that they move. The level of liability can vary. You need to be aware of the amount of protection and the charges for each option.

Contact us if you need any help - stay calm - enjoy the move

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