Moving Tips
1 month before the move | 3 weeks till move | 1 week till move | 2 days till move | Moving day
One Month
Before the Move
• Hire a moving company.
• Inventory and evaluate your possessions.
This is an excellent time to get rid of clutter.
• Contact doctors, dentists, lawyers and
accountants and obtain copies of your personal
records. Also, ask for referrals to replace
these people in your new city.
• Get a change-of-address kit from the
post office and send notices to everyone. Don't
forget to fill out a card for everyone in the
household who receives mail.
• Pets and plants need special care. Arrange
transportation. Bring pets to the vet for rabies
shots and health certificates if needed.
• Notify the principal of your children's
schools and arrange for transfer of school records.
• Contact the gas, electric, oil, water,
telephone, cable TV, newspaper and rubbish companies
for service disconnect/connect at your old and
new addresses. Remember to keep phone and utilities
connected at your current home throughout moving
day.
• Arrange for insurance coverage in your
new location: auto, homeowner's, medical and
life.
• Plan a garage sale to sell unneeded
stuff or arrange to donate them to charity.
Get receipts for possible tax deductions.
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Three Weeks and Counting
• Make travel arrangements.
• Collect important papers (insurance,
will, deeds, passport, stock certificates, birth
records, etc.
• Open bank accounts in your new location.
• Arrange to transfer your insurance on
household goods and personal possessions so
they will be covered at your new home and en
route.
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One Week Left
• Have your cars serviced.
• Arrange for sufficient cash or travellers
checks to cover cost of moving and expenses.
Cash or certified cheque is typically required
by the moving company. They will not typically
unpack the van without it.
• Check your safe deposit box, pick up
any dry-cleaning, return library books and rented
video tapes, etc.
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Two Days to Go
• Defrost freezer and refrigerator. Block
doors open so they can't accidentally close
on pets or children.
• Disconnect your major appliances and
prepare them for the move.
• Pack a box of personal items needed
immediately at your new home. Bring this with
you if possible.
• Organize and set aside those things
you are bringing with you so they don't get
loaded on the van by accident.
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Moving Day
• Supervise the loading. Read your bill
of lading and inventory carefully before you
sign them. Keep these and all related papers
in a safe place until all charges have been
paid and all claims, if any, have been settled.
• Take a note of the all meter readings
• Leave house keys with your real estate
agent.
