Relocation and Moving Checklist

Before you Start

If you are relocating for a job, check with your company to find out what relocation resources and assistance they provide. Companies often have relocaiton packages that may require you to use a pre-selected moving company or real estate agent.

Buy a convenient week-at-a-glance calendar to keep track of the many deadlines, appointments, and tasks that will occur during your relocation.

Keep a log of all relocation expenses and save your receipts in a safe place; under some circumstances relocation expenses are tax deductible.

Get your family involved! If you have kids, make them a part of the process. Print out the moving checklist and assign tasks to each family member.

Four Months Ahead

• Select a realtor and begin your home search in your new location. (Read our article on Choosing a Realtor.)

Two Months Ahead

• Contact three moving companies and get written estimates on your move. (Read our article on Choosing a Mover.)
• Be sure your family's health and dental care are up-to-date. Schedule appointments for final vaccinations or dental cleaning. Ask you doctor, dentist, and optimetrist for referrals in your new town.
• Be sure your pet vaccinations are up to date, and request vaccination records from your veterinarian.
• If you are moving to another state, find out the vehicle registration and driver's license requirements for your new state.
• Contact the Chamber of Commerce in your new town; they often offer "new residents" packages.

Six Weeks Ahead

• Walk through your house and gather things that you don't use before you move. Hold a garage sale or donate them to your favorite charity.
• Make a list of everything you will need to cancel: telephone, utilities, cable, alarm service, daycare, newspaper, health club, etc, and note the cancellation deadlines in your calendar.

One Month Ahead

• Schedule telephone and utility connections in your new location. Some services, such as cable Internet or DSL, have long waits for hook-ups.
• Make travel arrangements, including airline reservations, short-term housing reservations, and transport arrangements for pets and vehicles.
• Submit change-of-address to post office.
• Change address of magazine subscriptions, club memberships, etc.
• Contact your bank to transfer your accounts and have checks printed with your new address.
• Send change of address notices to your friends.

Three Weeks Ahead

• Start packing! If you plan on having the moving company pack your possessions, begin organizing items to make unpakcing easier.

• Gather important documents. Locate birth certificates, passports, marriage certificates, financial records, stock records, tax records, and medical records. Store them in a safe place so they can't be "lost" during your move.
• Walk through your house and photograph expensive or important items as a record for insurance claims. Also take "panorama" photos of every room to record less expensive items. Make a CD copy of your photos and store the CD with your documents.
• Clean and repair tools, garden implements, and small appliances that you intend to move.

Two Weeks Ahead

• Confirm moving and travel arrangements.
• Arrange a professional cleaner to clean your house after yoou have moved out.
• Start using up supplies and items that cannot be moved.

One Week Ahead

• Plan meals for the remaining week; avoid purchasing perishables.
• Fill any prescriptions or medications you will need for the next couple of weeks.
• Prepare a moving kit with your move calendar, paper and pens, tape, spare keys, first aid supplies, prescription medications, travel alarm, snacks and treats, children's games.
• Review cancellation deadlines and be sure you've cancelled everything.
• Return library books and items borrowed from friends.
• Pick up dry cleaning and items you have lent to friends.

Two Days Before the Move

• Clean out the refridgerator.
• Walk through your yard looking for items that might be overlooked by movers.
• Make sure your local real estate agent has keys to the house.
• Prepare clearly-marked boxes with the things you will need right away in your new home: toiletries, clean linens, cleaning supplies, pet food and pet supplies.
• Pack your travel suitcases with the clothes you will need for the first few days in your new home.

The Day of the Move - Leaving your House

• Have an ample supply of soft drinks in a cooler for your family and the movers!
• Review your instructions with movers and be sure they have the correct contact information and address for your new home.
• When the movers have finished packing and loading, walk through the house and yard to be sure nothing was missed.
• Before leaving the house, make sure appliances and water turned off, and all doors and windows are secure.

The Day of the Move - Your New Home

• Be on hand to review set-up instructions and supervise movers.
• Have soft drinks and snacks on hand for your family and the movers.
• Set up a play area for your kids where they can be safe and out of the way.
• Review Bill of Lading with movers and note any broken or missing items before signing. If there are broken or missing items, find out how to file a claim.
  
  Do not sign a delivery receipt for your household goods if it contains any language about releasing or discharging your mover or its agents from liability. By law, you have nine (9) months to file a written claim. Strike out this kind of language or refuse delivery until a proper receipt is provided.
• Check to be sure utilities are working properly.
• Check in with your company to confirm deatils of starting work at your new location.
• Let family and friends know you have arrived safely.

After the Move

• File all move receipts in a safe place.
• If you have changed states, get a new driver's license and new registration for your automobile.
• Register to vote.