Moving Checklist

Print this and check off as you move to make your move easier.

Two Months Before Move

• Depending on whether you are using a mover or moving yourself with a truck rental, get quotes from several different companies for a cost comparison.
• Start to take inventory of your household goods and minimize clutter. A good place to start is the attic, garage, basement, and other storage areas.
• Get rid of items you do not plan to move with you. Have a garage sale, give items to Goodwill, and properly dispose of chemicals such as old paints, cleaners, and florescent bulbs. [Call the Ft.Worth Environmental Collection Center at 817.871.5257 or the Dallas Environmental Collection center at 515.993.5803]
• Organize a file for all your moving paperwork (estimates, receipts, etc.).
• Arrange to transfer school records.
• Select your mover or truck rental company.
• Get your new home ready by getting any painting or repairs done before you move in.
• Checkout Smoothmoves.com for tips on moving with children and other great organizing tips as well.

Six Weeks Before

• Complete and return a change-of-address form from your local post office so you can have your mail routed to the correct place.
• Make arrangements for storage if necessary.
• Notify insurance companies of your move.
• Ask your doctor or health plan provider for referrals in your new location and obtain all medical records.
• Have antiques, pieces of art, and other valuables appraised and plan to have them moved separately just in case.
• Start using foods and cleaning supplies that cannot be moved.

Four Weeks Before

• Schedule disconnection of all utility services at your old home, and connection of them at your new one. Be sure to disconnect the day after you leave and connect the day before you arrive. If you have “last month” deposits with services, such as the telephone company, request your refund.
• If you are moving yourself, reserve a rental truck.
• Start packing away things that you will not need to live on in the meantime.
• Have furniture, drapes, and carpeting repaired and cleaned if necessary.
• Arrange for special transportation of your pets and plants if necessary.
• Check with your insurance company to see how your possessions are covered during transit.
• Make any travel plans necessary for your move.
• Check to see if you need any moving permits.
• Collect your important records — Gather personal and family records, including medical and dental, veterinary and school records; legal and financial documents; birth certificates, passports and insurance documents.

Three Weeks Before

• Prepare auto registration for transfer (if moving to another state).
• If you are moving in or out of an apartment building with an elevator, arrange for use of the elevator.
• Make child-care arrangements for moving day.

Two Weeks Before

• Arrange for disposal of anything not sold at your garage sale.
• Service your car in preparation for the move. If you’re moving from a warm climate to a cold one, check your antifreeze.
• Return any borrowed items (including library books) and retrieve any loaned items.
• Cancel newspaper delivery.
• Notify any creditors of your move.
• Transfer prescriptions and be sure you have an adequate supply of medications on hand.
• Assemble a file folder of information to leave for the new owner of your home.
• Change your address – One week before your move, send change-of-address cards to everyone who will need to contact you.
• Pick up laundry — Laundry tickets are easy to misplace, so ask for your things by name and not just by the receipts you have.
• Pack a travel kit:
• Put aside critical items like a checkbook, credit cards, personal phone book, ID, flashlight, keys, toiletries, tools, paper plates, cups, towels, travel alarm clock, aspirin, bandages and games for the kids. Also, pack a suitcase with clothing and other personal items.

The Day Before

• Transfer your bank accounts if on automatic payment schedule
• Close and empty your safe-deposit box.
• Settle any bills with local businesses.
• Drain power equipment of oil and gas. Drain water hoses.
• Find new homes for plants that will not be moved.
• Confirm any travel reservations.
• Defrost refrigerator and freezer, propping doors open.
• Let movers pack your belongings (unless it’s a do-it-yourself move).
• Disconnect and prepare major appliances for move.
• Set aside anything that will travel in your car so it will not be loaded on the truck.
• Pack a box of items that will be needed first at the new house. Clearly mark this box “Load Last.”
• Obtain cash or traveler’s checks for the trip and to pay the movers.
• Confirm arrival time of your moving van/truck.
• If moving yourself, dismantle beds and other large furniture.

Moving Day

• If using a mover, be sure someone is at the old house to answer questions.
• Note all utility meter readings.
• Read your bill of lading and inventory carefully before signing. Keep this paperwork in a safe place.

Delivery Day – Be on hand to answer any questions.

• Check your belongings carefully and note on the inventory paperwork any damaged items.
• On an interstate move, be prepared to pay the driver before your possessions are unloaded.
• Supervise unloading and unpacking.
• Be prepared to pay your mover with cash, certified check, or traveler’s checks unless other arrangements have been made in advance.

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