Moving Checklist
It’s that time of year again – college students are heading back to school and anxious parents are trying not to forget anything along the way.
Moving to your dorm room or apartment is the same as moving into a new house – just on a slightly smaller scale.
We have some great tips to help your move go smoothly – regardless of whether it’s to a smaller or larger place across town, the next state over or all the way on the other side of the country.
You can successfully plan an organized move with a little help from this timeline.
Two Months Before
Sort and purge
Go through every room of your house and decide what you’d like to keep and what you can get rid of. Think about whether any items will require special packing or extra insurance coverage. Hold a garage sale or donate items – ask friends and family if they need anything or know of anyone that can use an item in the community.
Research
Start researching moving company options – ask your Solutions agent, friends, and co-workers for recommendations.
Don’t rely on a quote over the phone; request an on-site estimate. Get an estimate in writing from each company, and make sure it has a USDOT (U.S. Department of Transportation) number on it if you’re moving to a different state.
If you’re moving within a state, some states require a USDOT number. You can also check with your state’s public utilities commission, moving association, or Better Business Bureau.
Create a moving binder
Use a binder to keep track of everything — all your estimates, your receipts, and an inventory of all the items you’re moving.
Organize school records
If needed, go to your children’s school and arrange for their records to be transferred to their new school district.
Six Weeks Before
Order supplies
Order boxes and other supplies such as tape, bubble wrap and other packing materials, and permanent markers. Don’t forget to order specialty containers, such as dish barrels or wardrobe boxes.
Use it or lose it
Start using up things that you don’t want to move, like frozen or perishable foods and cleaning supplies.
Take measurements
Check room dimensions at your new home or apartment, if possible, and make sure larger pieces of furniture will fit through the door.
One Month Before
Choose your mover and confirm the arrangements
Select a company and get written confirmation of your moving date, costs, and other details.
Begin packing
Start packing the things that you use most infrequently, such as the golf clubs and skis. While packing, note items of special value that might require additional insurance from your moving company. Make sure to declare, in writing, any items valued over $100 per pound, such as a computer or flat screen television or gym equipment.
Label
Clearly label and number each box with its contents and the room it’s destined for. This will help you to keep an inventory of your belongings. Pack and label “essentials” boxes of items you’ll need right away – you don’t want to be hunting for toilet paper or towels at the last second.
Separate valuables
Add items such as jewelry and important files to a safe box that you’ll personally transport to your new home. Make sure to put the mover’s estimate in this box. You’ll need it for reference on moving day.
Do a change of address
Go to your local post office and fill out a change-of-address form, or do it online at usps.gov.
It’s also a good idea to ask a close neighbor to look out for mail after you’ve moved. Check in with him or her two weeks after the move, and again two weeks after that.
Notify important parties
Alert the following of your move: banks, brokerage firms, your employer’s human resources department, magazine and newspapers you subscribe to, credit card, insurance, and utility companies.
Forward medical records
Arrange for medical records to be sent to any new health-care providers or obtain copies of them yourself. Ask for referrals.
Two Weeks (or maybe more depending on your work) Before
Arrange to be off from work on moving day
Notify your office that you plan to supervise the move and therefore need the day off.
Tune up
Take your car to a garage, and ask the mechanic to consider what services might be needed if you’re moving to a new climate.
Clean out your safe-deposit box
If you’ll be changing banks, remove the contents of your safe-deposit box and put them in the safe box that you’ll take with you on moving day.
Contact the moving company
Reconfirm the arrangements.
One Week Before
Refill prescriptions
Stock up on prescriptions you’ll need during the next couple of weeks.
Pack your suitcases
Aim to finish your general packing a few days before your moving date. Then pack suitcases for everyone in the family with enough clothes to wear for a few days.
A Few Days Before
Defrost the freezer
If your refrigerator is moving with you, make sure to empty, clean, and defrost it at least 24 hours before moving day – there’s nothing worse than dealing with cleaning up a flood in your kitchen when you’re trying to move and you’ve already packed away the towels and cleaning gear.
Double-check the details
Reconfirm the moving company’s arrival time and other specifics and make sure you have prepared exact, written directions to your new home for the staff. Include contact information, such as your cell phone number.
Plan for the payment
If you haven’t already arranged to pay your mover with a credit card, get a money order, cashier’s check, or cash for payment and tip. If the staff has done a good job, 10 to 15 percent of the total fee is a good tip. If your move was especially difficult, you might tip each mover up to $100. Don’t forget that refreshments are always appreciated.
Moving Day
Verify
Make sure that the moving truck that shows up is from the company you hired: The USDOT number painted on its side should match the number on the estimate you were given.
Additionally, you can check if the moving truck has the company’s branding, or vehicle number that was listed in your confirmation. Scams are not unheard-of.
Take inventory
Before the movers leave, sign the bill of lading/inventory list and keep a copy. Be sure to recheck when you arrive.
If friends and family have helped you be sure they have plenty of water and snacks, and consider delivering some pizzas or other food as a thank you – good luck!
