Checklist For Your Move

Planning is everything! Make a checklist for your move and your life will be a whole lot less stressful. It is a life changing decision which will need lots of planning and organizing to make the move a successful one. On the other hand, there are various ways you can make the transition smooth by the use of organizational processes, and an essential tool is an eight-week checklist for your move.

2 months before the move

• Get quotes from at least three moving companies and be informed of their policies and protocols on their operations for moving.
• Know your rights and responsibilities as you prepare to work with a moving company.
• Consider extra insurance coverage that you may need for your move and start consulting with your insurance company with the fees, etc. It is most applicable if you have a lot of different major appliances, furniture, paintings, and glass materials.

7 weeks

• Get the word out that you're moving. You would want to inform your family, friends, and neighbors about moving soon, so you may spend more time with them before saying Au Revoir to the neighborhood or city.
• Assess your closet for clothes that you still want to keep and those that you'd want to sell or give away. Make major decisions about furniture and supplies, whether you would opt to buy new ones for your new home, or keep them with you. This is the best time to have a garage sale.
• Transfer records from your local agencies to their branch in your new area. If you have kids, this will also be the best time to transfer school records.
• Change your address. Notify your doctors, banks, insurance company, newspaper and magazine subscriptions, so they may make necessary changes as to where they would mail or contact you.

6 weeks

• Facilitate an in-home assessment and fees estimate with the moving company that you've decided to work with. Make sure they have your present home address, as well as the address of your new place, so there won't be any problems with direction on the actual moving date.
• Use a "moving folder" wherein you will put an inventory of all your household items and furniture to be included in the move.
• Place all your important personal and professional documents in one folder, properly labeling it with your complete name, home address, and contact number on the front.
• Start consuming food that is in your refrigerator, freezer, and pantry.

5 weeks

• Plan for your pets. When you're moving, you don't do it alone. Your pets are always staying with you no matter where you're going, so it's better to consider factors in every decision along the way that will also accommodate your pets to have a smooth transition.
• Determine your packing supplies. You will need to get a hold of bubble wraps, scotch tapes, boxes, etc. to pack your stuff in such a way that will not compromise their quality.
• Have a box labeling system. You will need to allocate one part of the house to have all the boxes in one place, with each box containing a group of similar items.
• Book hotels and transportation services ahead of time. You might actually have to stay in a hotel in your new area, one or two nights before your actual move and it's always the better option to book things ahead of time to avoid inconveniences in the future.

4 weeks

• Start packing things and supplies that you can do yourself. Place the items in their designated boxes, or folders to make things organized. Remember, organization is key.
• Jot down in a small notebook all contact numbers that you will need for the actual move. This includes the moving company's contact number, their designated driver assigned to you, their agent, your insurance company, your transportation services company, etc. This notebook will come in handy especially if you're in a tight situation in the middle of moving and need to contact the right person right away.
• Book your day off from work. Employers and co-workers will appreciate it if you have a one-month advanced notice!
• Change your address on the US Postal Service Website.

3 weeks

• Secure all your important belongings, jewelry, and heirloom in a safe, or your luggage with lock system.
• Start throwing trash from all over your house and segregate the garbage properly.
• Look up local businesses, doctors, banks, etc. in your new area and have access to the necessary paperwork needed for registration and applications.

2 weeks

• Double check with your moving company with all the information, down to the very specific details of the move.
• Withdraw cash, just in case anything goes wrong. There might be unexpected expenses along the way to your new area, and you would always want to be prepared.
• Go through your list of inventory to make sure everything is in place.
• Dispose of all flammable items that cannot be transported (e.g. paint, chemicals, etc.)
• Make sure the appliances are okay to transport. Freezers must be defrosted, all appliances unplugged, and gas lines disconnected.
• Get yourself ready physically and emotionally before the week of the actual move. Eat well and get some rest!

Week of the move 

• Keep in touch with your moving company all throughout the transition to make sure everything runs smoothly.
• Re-visit checklist for your move one more time.
• Take one last look around the house, if the electricity and water are turned off, if there are anything else left, etc.
• Arrive at your area one or two days before the move. You would want to be there before the moving company arrives.
• Hire a cleaning company to clean your previous place so the new owners may have a clean, dirt-free space.

Ready to make that checklist for your move?