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Down
It's really
never too soon to begin planning for a move, and veteran movers have found
that a comprehensive timetable and checklist is the best strategy to
ensure a smooth relocation. It's also a great way to involve the entire
family in the move and to spread some of the responsibilities to each
person, including your children You'll feel a sense of accomplishment as
items are checked off. Moreover, as the weeks roll by, your checklist will
help ensure that nothing has been overlooked or omitted from your
planning, and that alone will go a long way toward relieving some of your
anxiety.
Eight
Weeks Before
- Contact
your mover to make arrangements for moving day.
- Remove
items from your attic, basement, storage shed, etc.
- Start to
use up things you can't move, such as frozen foods and cleaning
supplies.
- Contact
the Chamber of Commerce or visitors and tourism bureaus in your new
community for information on your new city.
Six
Weeks Before
- If
you're moving at an employer's request, verify what expenses and
responsibilities are theirs and which are yours.
- Contact
your accountant for information on what moving expenses may be
tax-deductible
- Begin to
inventory and evaluate your possessions. What can be sold or donated
to a charitable organization? What haven't you used within the last
year?
- Make a
list of everyone you need to notify about your move: friends,
professionals, creditors, subscriptions, etc.
- Obtain a
mail subscription to the local paper in your new community to
familiarize yourself with local government, community, and social news
and activities.
- Locate
all auto licensing and registration documents.
- If some
of your goods are to be stored, make the necessary arrangements now.
(Your moving consultant should be able to help.)
- Contact
schools, doctors, dentists, lawyers and accountants and obtain copies
of your personal records. Ask for referrals where possible.
Four
Weeks Before
- Obtain a
change-of-address kit from the post office and begin filling out the
cards.
- Arrange
special transport for your pets and plants.
- Contact
utility and related companies for service disconnect/connect at your
old and new addresses. However, remember to keep phone and utilities
connected at your current home throughout moving day.
- Contact
insurance companies (auto, homeowner's or renters, medical, and life)
to arrange for coverage in your new home.
- If
you're packing yourself, purchase packing boxes. Pack items that you
won't be needing in the next month.
- Plan a
garage sale to sell unneeded items or arrange to donate them to
charity.
Three
Weeks Before
- Make
travel arrangements and reservations for your moving trip. However,
don't make plane reservations for the same day that you're moving out.
House closings are often delayed. and other unexpected situations
often arise.
- Collect
important papers (insurance, will, deeds, stock, etc.).
- Arrange
to close accounts in your local bank and open accounts in your new
locale.
Two
Weeks Before
- Have
your car checked and serviced for the trip. Also, make sure that your
automobile is prepared (filled with the necessary antifreeze/coolant,
for example) for the type of weather conditions you'll be traveling
in.
- If
you're moving out of or into a building with elevators, contact the
building management to schedule use of the elevators.
- Contact
your moving consultant to review and confirm all arrangements for your
move.
One
Week Before
- Settle
any outstanding bills with local merchants.
- Don't
forget to withdraw the contents of your safety deposit box, pick up
any dry cleaning, return library books and rented videotapes, etc.
- Take
pets to the veterinarian for any needed immunizations. Get copies of
pets' records.
- Drain
gas and oil from power equipment (lawn mowers, snow blowers, etc.)
- Give
away plants not being moved.
- Prepare
specific directions to your new home for your moving company. (Include
your itinerary, emergency numbers, etc.)
Two
to Three Days Before
- Defrost
your freezer and refrigerator. Block doors open so they can't
accidentally close on pets or children.
- Have
your major appliances disconnected and prepared for the move. (Again,
your moving consultant can help with arrangements for a third party to
provide these services.)
- Pack a
box of personal items that will be needed immediately at your new
home. Have this box loaded last or carry it with you in your car.
- Organize
and set aside those things that you're taking with you so that they
don't get loaded on the van in error.
- Contact
your moving consultant to confirm arrival time of the moving van, as
well as to notify him/her of any last-minute details.
Moving
Day
- Your
moving van operator and crew arrive at the agreed upon time. Make sure
that someone is at home for any enquiries the van operator may have
with respect to your shipment.
- Record
all utility meter readings (gas, electric, water).
- Read
your bill of lading and inventory carefully before you sign them. Keep
these - and all related papers - in a safe location until all charges
have been paid and all claims, if any, have been settled.
If
you require additional moving information, please contact me!
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