• Sort and purge. Go through every room in your house and make three piles 1. Keep 2. Donate 3. Trash

• Determine what items will require special packaging or insurance: artwork, piano, wine collection, etc.

• Talk to the company who is arranging your move and ask them for a short list of moving companies for you to interview and get written estimates

• Organize your children’s school records including any IEP’s that the new school district will need to review

Two Months Prior to Move

• Find out what packing supplies your moving company can drop off to help get you started such as boxes and bubble wrap. Then fill in what you need to get on your own like permanent markers

• Use items that can’t or shouldn’t be moved including: frozen and perishable foods and cleaning supplies

• Check the room measurements at your new home to make sure your furniture will fit in rooms, through doorways, up stairways and around landings

• Begin packing things that you don’t use frequently to get a head start: gardening equipment, out of season clothes, holiday décor – clearly labeling boxes so you know ALL contents inside

• Separate valuable items that you will personally transport to your new house. Anything that you would lose sleep over it if was damaged or lost such as jewelry, antiques, inherited items or important papers such as passports, birth certificates, school records

• Plan a garage sale if you decide to have one

• Get a change of address form from the post office or do it online at www.usps.gov

• Talk to your neighbors and let them know about your upcoming move, share your new address with them, if your house hasn’t yet sold, see if they will be on the lookout for packages or mail that didn’t get forwarded

• Let your banks, credit card companies and brokerage firms know you are moving

• Change addresses or cancel magazine and newspaper subscriptions

• Call utility companies to discuss final payments and turn off of service (electric, water, gas, telephone, cable, cellphone, sewer, trash collection)

• Talk to your veterinarian about pet vaccinations and discuss how pets will be transported to new home

• Plan how to transport your house plants since transporting them in a moving van will likely destroy them

• Talk to doctors and dentists to see if they have recommendations for providers in your new town.

• Organize important medical records and bring them with you

• Call your insurance agent to discuss new policies

• Call vendors who service your house or yard and let them know of move: snow removal, landscaper, exterminator

• Let local clubs and organizations know you are moving, i.e. gym, professional associations

• If you don't have enough drivers to transport all of your vehicles to new home, you will need to arrange a car mover

• Get appraisals on expensive items in case of loss or damage

• Does your new house need blinds, curtains, drapes? Measure and order so you can have privacy in your home the week you move in

Six Weeks Prior to Move

• Take your automobiles to your mechanic to determine if tune-ups are needed prior to driving to new home

• Visit your bank, empty safety deposit boxes, discuss branches in new city

• Reconfirm the date of the move with your moving company

• Arrange for childcare and/or pet care the days of your move so you can be productive and focused

• Notify government agencies of your move:

  • City/County Tax Assessor

  • State Vehicle Registration

  • Social Security Administration

  • State/Federal Tax Bureau (IRS)

  • Veteran’s Administration

Two Weeks Prior to Move

• Refill any prescriptions from the pharmacy

• Pack suitcases for every family member with enough clothing and toiletries for 3-4 days in case you can’t find items in boxes right away

• Defrost your freezer if it is moving with you

• Drain gas and oil from lawn equipment, gas grills, heaters, etc.

• Drain water hoses and water beds

• Get cash to tip the movers ($25/per head)

• Arrange for a cleaning service to do a deep clean on your new house prior to moving in

One Week Prior to Move