​Two months before the move:

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• If you are being transferred by work, understand your company's moving policy.

• Pare down. Use up, sell, recycle or donate anything you don't want to move. Make it a family project.

• Make a moving folder or booklet. Include an inventory of your household items with a video or photos.

• Have any especially valuable items appraised.

• Get estimates from 3 to 5 moving companies.

 

Six weeks before the move:

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• Make travel arrangements.

• Notify each child's school. Request records be sent to their new school.

• Make copies of medical records for family. Arrange for new doctors to receive records.

• Talk to insurance agent about any changes to policies.

• Encourage children to make an address book of friends.

• Most movers won't move plants, so give away houseplants or make other arrangements.

• Notify lawn or pool services as well as any ongoing service.

 

One month before the move:

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• Plan for utilities to be disconnected and new services turned on.

• Gather boxes and packing supplies.

• Obtain address change forms from your local post office. Begin completing them.

• Contact all subscription services to inform them of your new address.

• Make a packing plan. Assign everyone a task and involve the kids.

• Make a plan for keeping pets safe and out of the way for moving day.

• Research restaurants, grocery stores and hotels close to your new home online. Keep this information in your moving folder.

• Make an unpacking plan for the new home -- who does what and diagram where the furniture goes (the movers will not rearrange your furniture for you, so think this through).

• Make an appointment with a service technician to prep appliances for moving, if necessary.

 

One week before the move:

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• Pick a staging room and if you're packing yourself, start filling and labeling those boxes.

• Confirm travel arrangements, utilities, moving date.

• Arrange for payment for movers - a $20-$25 cash tip per mover is usual.

• Type up directions to new home for movers; make sure they have all contact information.

• Fill out a change of address form at the post office.

• Notify clubs, organizations, magazines, friends, family, banks and credit cards of new address.

• Cancel newspapers.

• Notify new and old employers of new address.

• Obtain health certificates for any pets.

• Pack suitcases, toiletries, medical and financial records, jewelry or anything irreplaceable that will go with you.

• Have drapes and rugs cleaned and leave wrapped for move.

• Discuss contingency plan for the movers running late. Where will you sleep?

• Dispose of paint, oil, and weed killers. Drain fuel out of mowers. Discard propane tanks from grills.

• Donate items in the freezer that will not be eaten to friends and neighbors.

• Donate items that cannot be moved, like flammables, to friends or neighbors.

• If your moving company packs your household items in advance, consider using color coded stickers on the boxes and furniture from each room based on the layout of your new home. Keep the stickers with you and place on the doors or entrances to the appropriate rooms in the new location.

 

The day before the move:

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• Unplug any electronic devices 24 hours before moving (except plasma TVs) to let them cool down to room temperature.

• Make sure your cell phones are fully charged so that the movers can reach you.

 

Moving day:

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• Plan to spend the entire move day at home with the movers. Have plenty of drinks, ice and food items available for your family and the movers.

• Set all valuables and family heirlooms aside to be taken with you. Include any items, like children’s special toys, pajamas, personal items that will be packed in the vehicle to be taken with you.

• Pack and label an "open first" box with clean linens, toilet paper, soap, paper towels, shower curtain, a basic tool kit and other immediate necessities.

• As the move progresses, check rooms to ensure all items have been taken. Pay close attention to attics, basements, crawlspaces, closets, patios and often overlooked areas.

• Make sure all your belongings are loaded, and then make a final tour of the house to look for forgotten items or damage.

• Ask the movers to pack the vacuum cleaner last or consider borrowing one from a neighbor so you can clean after the household items have been taken. Wipe down doors, walls, and clean windows.

• Check the inventory list and sign it. Put your copy in your moving folder.

• As you prepare to leave, ensure all doors and windows are closed and locked.

• Leave behind all garage door openers, remote controls for ceiling fans, fireplace, manuals for appliances or any other items that are to remain with the property.

• Read the Bill of Lading carefully and sign it, if it is correct.