Moving can be a stressful process, so planning ahead is important. This guide provides a comprehensive checklist of tasks to complete six to eight weeks before moving day, including creating moving files, estimating expenses, disposing of unneeded items, and choosing a moving method. It also outlines important steps to take in the four to six weeks, two to four weeks, one week, and days leading up to the move. Completing these tasks will help make the moving process as smooth as possible.
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Moving day
1. Life Guide
Moving Day
In a list of life's hassles, moving has to rank near the top of that list! This guide is designed to provide
you with a comprehensive checklist of decisions to make and tasks to perform in anticipation of a move,
hopefully making life on the move easier for you.
Table of Contents Page
Provided by: Six to Eight Weeks Before Moving 2
Bill Hurlbut Four to Six Weeks Before Moving 3
Hurlbut Insurance Services Two to Four Weeks Before Moving 4
1933 Schumac Ln. Within One Week of Moving 5
Bedford, TX 76022 One Day Before Moving 5
Office: (817) 803-4498
Moving Day 6
bill@hurlbutinsurance.com
Delivery Day 6
Address Change/Service Change Checklist 7-8
Document Checklist 9
Disclosure Information 10
LG-07 Moving Day
2. Six to Eight Weeks Before Moving
Create a moving file where you will keep all records, receipts and information
regarding your move.
I y u r mo i gb c u eo ac a g i y u j b lc to o b c u ey u
f o ’e vn e a s f h n e n o r o o a in r e a s o
started a new job, you may be able to deduct your moving expenses if your
move is closely related to the start of work. Make sure you understand what, if
any, of your moving expenses will be deductible on your next income tax return and
keep the appropriate records. Visit the IRS website (www.irs.gov) for more
information.
Begin creating an inventory of your household goods.
Begin disposing of items you don't plan to move to your new location,
designating them for donation, a yard sale or as junk to be thrown away.
Create a floor plan of your new home to be used for furniture and appliance
placement. This may also help you in deciding which possessions to move and which to
dispose of.
Start learning more about your new community. Use the Internet and/or contact
the local Chamber of Commerce for information.
Make the "big" decision: are you going to move yourself or hire a mover?
If you decide to move yourself:
Get cost estimates from at least two truck rental companies and reserve a truck for
the date(s) needed.
Locate a source of packing materials.
Identify which friends and family members will help with your move or decide if you're
going to hire labor.
If you decide to hire a mover:
Ask friends, family and neighbors for recommendations regarding movers they've
used.
Understand your rights and responsibilities. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration, an arm of the U.S. Department of Transportation, provides a website
for this purpose. Spend some time reviewing the information available to you at
www.protectyourmove.gov.
Decide what, if any, of the packing you want to do.
Obtain cost estimates from at least three moving companies. Be sure to disclose
all items that are to be moved. Compare the estimates on the basis of cost and
services provided.
Select the mover you will use and schedule your moving day and delivery day.
Add your move contract and other information to your move file.
Moving Day 2
3. Four to Six Weeks Before Moving
Obtain medical records. Ask doctors/dentists for referrals in your new location.
Arrange for school records to be transferred to your children's new school district.
Contact your insurance agent concerning homeowners and automobile insurance at
both your current and new locations. Check to see if your insurance covers your
possessions during transit. If not, you may want to consider purchasing insurance for
this purpose. If purchasing a home in your new location, review the impact this might
have on your life insurance needs.
Obtain vet records for your pets and ask for referrals in your new location.
Begin using foods and household items that cannot be moved, such as frozen
foods, flammables, cleaning fluids and aerosols.
If you're doing your own packing, begin packing items that you don't use often.
Schedule disconnection of utility services at your current home and connection
at your new home. The general suggestion is to schedule disconnection for one day
after your scheduled move day and to schedule connection one day prior to your arrival
in your new location.
If you're making a long-distance move, make necessary travel plans and
reservations. Don't forget to make travel arrangements for your pets (if by air, check
on required health certificates). Be certain that ID tags are securely attached to your
pet's collar prior to the move.
Consider subscribing to the local newspaper in your new hometown. Schedule
the cancellation of newspapers at your current location.
Plan and hold a garage sale to dispose of unwanted items. Alternatively, donate
them to a favorite charity. If you plan to deduct the value of donated items for income
tax purposes, be certain to obtain the required documentation from the charity.
If you're planning to move any rugs or draperies, consider having them cleaned
and leave them in the wrappings for the move.
If you're moving any major appliances, check to see if you'll need a service
technician to prepare them for shipment. If so, make an appointment for the day
before moving day.
Consider having antiques and other valuables appraised in order to verify
value.
Gather important documents and plan to carry them with you. A document
checklist appears on page 9.
Moving Day 3
4. Two to Four Weeks Before Moving
Complete a change of address with the post office (change online at
www.usps.com).
Make a list of family, friends and businesses who need to be notified of your
new address and of services that need to be discontinued. An address
change/service change checklist appears on page 7.
Have your car serviced prior to the move.
Return any borrowed items to neighbors; return library books. Retrieve any items
you've loaned to others or that are in storage.
Be certain to pick up all dry cleaning and any items out for repair.
Decide what you will do with any house plants, as movers will generally not
transport them. You may want to give them to family/friends or include them in your
garage sale.
Assemble a folder of information to leave for the new owner of your house.
Transfer prescriptions to a pharmacy in your new location. Be certain you have an
adequate supply of prescription medications to last you through the move.
Have a "going-away" party for your kids and their friends. Do the same for
yourself, but keep it simple.
If you're doing your own packing, continue packing items used on an infrequent
basis.
If you're moving yourself, arrange to have any needed hired labor available on
moving day.
Moving Day 4
5. Within One Week of Moving
Transfer your bank and/or credit union accounts and clear out any safety
deposit boxes. Make sure you have sufficient cash or traveler's checks to cover
expenses while traveling to your new home.
Confirm all travel arrangements, including for your pets.
Confirm arrangements with the moving company.
Plan meals to help empty the refrigerator.
Drain oil and gas from all power equipment to be moved. Drain hoses.
Pack the clothing and personal items you will take with you to your new home.
Pack an "essentials" box…i mst a wi b n e e f s a y u n w h u e Ce r
te h t l e e d d i t t o r e o s . lal
l r y
mark this box or boxes as "last load."
Make arrangements to stay somewhere else the night before moving day.
If you're doing your own packing, complete the job.
One Day Before Moving
Disconnect major appliances and prepare them for the move (this may require
paying a service technician). Defrost your refrigerator and freezer.
If you're doing your own packing, check throughout your house and verify that
everything has been packed for the move. If you're moving yourself, dismantle
beds and any other large furniture items, such as a dresser and mirror. Verify the
availability of family/friends or hired labor for moving day.
If the moving company is doing your packing, be available when the packers
arrive. Be sure to point out to them any fragile items that need special care, as well as
the boxes you will need first when the moving van arrives at your new home. If you
want certain items packed together, group them together for the packers. Before the
packers leave, check closets, cabinets, attic and basement to verify that everything has
been packed.
Moving Day 5
6. Moving Day
If you're moving yourself, get busy…y uh v afld ya e d
o a e ul a h a !
If you've hired a moving company, be there when the movers arrive and plan to
stay until they finish.
Accompany the movers as they inventory your possessions and resolve any issues
regarding the condition of any of your household goods.
Point out the boxes you want loaded last (the ones you'll want unloaded first at
your new location).
Carefully review your inventory and bill of lading before signing. Keep these
papers with you in a safe place.
Make certain the moving van driver has directions to your new house, as well
as a phone number where you can be reached.
Before the moving van leaves, take another tour through your house, verifying that
everything has been packed.
Make a note of all utility meter readings.
Hit the road for your new home!
Delivery Day
Verify that all utilities have been turned on in your new house.
Be on hand at your new house to accept delivery and answer questions as to where
boxes, furniture and appliances should be placed.
You may need to pay the driver before unloading begins. Payment may need to
be in the form of cash, certified check or traveler's checks unless other arrangements
have been made, so be prepared!
Check your possessions carefully as they are unloaded. Before signing any
documents, note any missing or damaged items on the driver's copy of the inventory.
You should then personally report any loss or damage to your moving company
salesperson or move coordinator.
Keep all receipts and documentation of your move for income tax return purposes
and for loss/damage claim purposes.
Moving Day 6
7. Address Change/Service Change Checklist
Government
Social Security Administration (www.ssa.gov)
Post Office (change online at www.usps.com)
Driver's License
Voter Registration
Vehicle Registration
Passport
IRS (use IRS Form 8822)
Department of Veterans Affairs (forms available online at www.va.gov)
Child Support Payments
Employment
Current Employers
Previous Employers (as needed for future benefits, such as pensions)
Business Associates
Financial Institutions
Banks (checking/savings accounts, CDs, safety deposit box)
Lenders (auto, mortgage, student loan)
Credit Card Companies
Insurance Companies (life, health, auto, home, disability)
Investment/Brokerage Accounts
Utilities/Services
Water and Sewer
Electric
Gas
Telephone/Cell Phone
Garbage
Cable or Satellite
Internet
Moving Day 7
8. Address Change/Service Change Checklist (continued)
Service Providers
Attorney
Accountant
Insurance Agent
Financial Advisor
Doctor
Dentist
Veterinarian
Daycare/Babysitters
Cleaning Service
Yard Care Service
Subscriptions/Memberships
Magazines
Newspapers
Book/Music/Movie Clubs
Churches
Civic/Community Organizations
Professional Licensing/Certification Boards
Health, Social and Country Clubs
Legal
Wills
Trusts
Property Titles
Education
Your Schools
Children's Schools
Family and Friends
Moving Day 8
9. Document Checklist
Document Location
Personal:
Birth Certificate
Marriage License
Pre- or Post-Nuptial Agreement
Will
Trust(s)
Living Will(s)/Power(s) of Attorney
Mortgage Papers
Automobile Titles/Papers
Income Tax Returns
Gift Tax Returns
Insurance Policies
Employee Benefit Documents
Passport
Military Records
Medical Records
Citizenship Papers
Warranties
Current Bills
Funeral/Burial Documents
Other: _________________________
Business Ownership:
Partnership/Incorporation Documents
Buy-Sell Agreement
Section 303 Stock Redemption Agreement
Business Valuation/Appraisal
Business Tax Returns
Other: _________________________
Moving Day 9