Moving to a new home requires a lot of preparation. To make sure you get it all done and have a smooth transition to your new address, begin planning months in advance, pace yourself and follow our handy moving checklist.

Two months before moving
It’s really never too early to start getting things done for your big move. The first step is determining whether you’ll move yourself or have a professional mover do it for you. Check rates, get quotes and, if it’s a work-related move, find out what expenses your employer may cover. This is also the time to start alerting the people and businesses in your life that need to know about your move and begin sorting the stuff that will go with you or stay behind.

• Create a “move file” to keep track of estimates, receipts and other important information.
• Check with the IRS to see what expenses can be deducted on your next tax return.
• Start pulling together medical and dental records, including prescriptions and immunization dates. Ask your existing doctors if they can refer you to a care provider in your new city or area.
• Arrange to have school records transferred to your children’s new school district and/or daycare.
• Call your insurance agent to see what changes to expect in your policies. Ask if moving is covered and arrange for insurance for your new home.
• Contact member organizations you have joined. Ask how you can end, sell or transfer your membership, if this applies.
• Clear out your household clutter. Start planning a yard sale or contact your local charities to make donations.
• Make a list of friends, relatives and businesses that need to be notified of your move.
• Plan to use up things that can’t be moved, such as frozen foods and harsh chemicals and cleaners.
• Purchase or collect boxes and other packing supplies.

Two to four weeks before moving

• Time to start fine-tuning your moving process, making plans to disconnect or transfer all of your services, and wrapping up loose ends at local businesses, if you’re moving out of the area.
• Begin packing and finish dealing with the items you won’t be taking with you.
• Get an itemized list of all moving-related costs and review with mover, including packing, loading, special charges, insurance, vehicles (if needed), etc.
• File a change of address with the post office.
• Contact utility companies to disconnect, transfer or connect services. This can also be done online. Do not have your telephone disconnected until the day after your move. You may need it for last-minute emergencies.
• Call your newspaper courier, lawn services and others and set a date to cancel your subscription.
• Start packing items you don’t use often. Also start disposing of the items you’ve designated for a yard sale, donation or the junk yard. If you donate, be sure to get a receipt for income tax purposes.
• Inventory all items to be moved.
• Decide if you will keep your plants or give them away. Plants cannot be loaded with your other household goods.
• Dispose of flammables, corrosives and poisons.
• Have your automobile(s) serviced.
• Contact your bank and/or credit union to transfer or close accounts. Clear out safety deposit boxes. Pick up traveler’s checks or cash for “on the road” expenses. Close any accounts you will not be transferring.
• Confirm travel arrangements.
• Confirm movers or truck rental reservation.

One week before moving
You’re almost there. Now it’s time to make final preparations by completing your packing, except for what you’ll need till the last minute at your old home and as soon as you reach your new home. These items can go into a suitcase and several “essentials” boxes, consisting of cleaning supplies, linens and non-perishable food.

• Make sure all library books have been returned and that all dry cleaning or items out for repair have been picked up.
• Finish packing and prepare an “essentials” containers. Designate items as “last load” items. Pack your suitcases and valuables separately.
• Drain gas and oil from your mower and other motors. Gas grills, kerosene heaters, etc. need to be emptied as well.
• Empty, defrost and clean your refrigerator at least 24 hours before moving day.
• Prepare all appliances for loading.
• Fill any necessary prescriptions needed for the next two weeks.
• If you’re moving out of a building with elevators, arrange with management for use of elevators on move day.
• Prepare specific directions to your new home for your moving company (drivers), including your travel itinerary and emergency numbers.
• Check to ensure that closets, cupboards, attics and basements are empty.
• If you have pets or children, make arrangements for someone to watch them while the moving truck is being loaded.

The day of the move
Here we go! Moving day is exciting and usually fast-paced, but if you’ve working steadily up to this point, it doesn’t need to be stressful. Your most important tasks are to make sure that you and your movers have no uncertainties about the load, the destination or how to reach each other in transit and that you close down your house properly.

• If you are using a moving company, go with the driver as he/she inspects what will be taken and confirms the inventory list. You’ll want to be sure that the true condition of furniture is taken down, in case something gets damaged in the move. Now is the time to iron out any differences in load estimates and pricing from what you were originally quoted.
• Make sure you have the name and telephone number of the moving company’s crew chief and that he or she has yours. 
• If you are moving yourself, take extra care in securing your load. Make sure the truck is locked and not parked in a vulnerable location.
• Be sure that your essential items are set aside, so they don’t accidentally get loaded on the truck.
• Do a final check of the entire house, closets, cupboards, basement, attic, shed and yard to be sure that nothing was left behind.
• Shut off all lights and faucets and turn down the thermostat.
• Make sure all windows and doors are locked.
• Leave keys, garage door opener, appliance manuals and any important instructions for the new owners.

Congratulations! You are on the road and on your way to your new home. Now you can enjoy your trip, with the peace of mind that you’ve made all your preparations on both ends of your big move.