Week-by-week Moving Planner

• Start planning costs by using Quotes At Home to request quotes from multiple moving companies, all without leaving the comfort of your own home. We encourage you to arrange for an on-site estimate whenever possible because this is the best way to get the most accurate estimate. Be sure to get references from prospective movers.
  
  
• Begin to calculate possible expenses you will incur when moving to determine if you will need financial assistance. (e.g. pet care, hotel costs, home deposit)
  
  
• Call the Chamber Of Commerce and Visitors & Convention Bureau in your new town and get their new resident information packages.
  
  
• Keep all receipts for moving related expenses in a designated moving folder. Many moving expenses are tax deductible. Obtain an IRS Change of Address form, Form 8822, by calling (800) 829-1040 or visit the IRS website at http://web.archive.org/web/20060427030858/http://www.irs.gov/. You will be able to download and print form 8822 and most other IRS tax forms such as Form 3903 to help deduct moving expenses.
  
  
• If you’re doing your own packing, START NOW! Begin by collecting suitable moving and packing supplies if you plan to do your own packing or partial packing. You can purchase all these materials from your agent or a moving supply company. All boxes that you purchase from a moving supply company are specially designed for the moving industry to prevent any damages to your belongings. It is not recommended to get boxes from other sources. These boxes may be unusual sizes and they may not be strong enough to prevent damages to items packed inside.
  
  
• All travel arrangements (hotel, flights, car rental, etc.) for your family should be made at this time. Try to keep your plan flexible as possible to accommodate any schedule changes or delays.
  
  

• Prepare an inventory of everything you own. Divide this inventory into three separate categories: items to be handled by the mover, items to be handled by yourself, and items to be left behind.
  
  
• If you decide to dispose of items, one option is to donate them to a charity. You may also consider having a yard sale. Pick a date at least two weeks before moving date for the garage sale and remember to advertise locally. Check with your neighbors to see if they would be interested in teaming up to sell some of their old belongings, and plan a large neighborhood yard sale. Another great way to make some extra money by getting rid of your unwanted items is to auction them off on eBay. You can sell practically anything on eBay, and usually the buyer pays shipping costs.
  
  
• If it's a company move, check with your employer to find out what moving expenses they cover.
  
  
• Contact your insurance agent to transfer property, fire, auto and medical insurance.
  
  
• Get copies of (or arrange for transfer at both ends of move) all school, medical, dental, veterinary, legal, and accounting records.
  
  
• Locate and obtain all automobile licensing and registration information. Inquire about changes that you may occur in your auto licensing and insurance when moving.
  
  
• Wills, stock certificates and other one-of-a-kind items (jewelry, photos and home videos) are difficult or impossible to replace. Plan to carry them with you instead of packing them.
  
  

• Begin notifying others of your change in address. Click here to start the Change of Address process online. Be sure to notify the following
  
  
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• Friends and family
  
  
• Banks, insurance companies, and other institutions
  
  
• Credit card companies
  
  
• Doctors, dentists and other service providers
  
  
• Any clubs or associations memberships
  
  
• Local government agencies, Federal agencies and the IRS
  
  
• Magazine and newspaper subscriptions
  
  
• Contact utility companies such as the gas company, water, electricity, telephone, cable TV etc., to schedule disconnection of services on the day following your move. You'll want to have utilities on while you're still in the house. Call the utilities in your new town to arrange for service to start the day before your move, so that you have service when you arrive at your new home. And don't forget to arrange for an expert, if necessary, to install fixtures upon their arrival at your new home.
  
  
• Notify your children's school(s). Make arrangement for records to be forwarded to the new school district.
  
  
• Contact any clubs or organizations you are associated with for information on transferring, selling, or ending your memberships.
  
  
• Get a mail subscription for the local paper in your new location to familiarize yourself with the new community, its activities and issues.
  
  
• Begin to familiarize yourself with your new shopping districts, location of hospitals, police and fire departments.
  
  

• Register your children in their new schools.
  
  
• Set up a checking account in your new town or city.
  
  
• Get your kids involved with the moving process. Let your kids do some packing and let them suggest a layout for their new room. Make it fun and exciting for them to move.
  
  
• If no longer required, cancel local deliveries.
  
  
• If you have pets, call your new township to determine if there are any specific requirements for pet ownership. In addition, obtain and transfer veterinarian records.
  
  

• Notify your mover if there are any changes in the dates of your move. If you will need any additional accessorial service such as piano moving, packing and unpacking, or storage you should inform the mover for pricing information. Also inform the mover if you add or subtract items from your planned shipment.
  
  
• Prepare any mowers, snow blowers, boats, snowmobiles (or other vehicles you won't be using before the move) for the move by servicing and draining gas and oil, to prevent a moving van fire.
  
  
• Repair, send out for re-upholstery, or clean furniture, drapes, carpeting as needed.
  
  
• Have appliances serviced for moving.
  
  
• Start using things up that you can't move, like cleaning supplies and frozen food.
  
  

• Inform your agent or mover of any items that you decided for him/her to pack.
  
  
• Consider giving your plants to friends or a charity if you are moving from one state to another. Some state laws prohibit the moving of houseplants.
  
  
• If you are transporting your vehicle with an auto shipper, you should make your final reservation for a car pick-up at this time.
  
  
• Return any borrowed items such as library books. Also collect all items that are being repaired stored or cleaned (clothing, furs, shoes etc.).
  
  
• Transfer all prescriptions to a drugstore in your new city.
  
  

• Arrange for help on moving day, such as a babysitter for your children.
  
  
• Confirm travel reservations.
  
  
• Reserve elevator if moving from an apartment.
  
  
• If you need to store any items during the move, call your moving company about storage options available.
  
  
• Have your automobile serviced if your travel is by car.
  
  

• Clean rugs and clothing and have them wrapped for moving.
  
  
• Defrost freezer and refrigerator. Place deodorizer inside to control odors.
  
  
• Give a close friend or relative your travel route and schedule so you may be reached if needed.
  
  
• Disassemble and disconnect your computer system before your move. Back up all your computer files on a disk. Consider taking all back up files disks with you in the car. Exposure to extreme temperatures can damage your software.
  
  
• Dispose of items that represent a hazard and are not allowed to be shipped. Tape and seal all cleaning fluids that are non-toxic, non-flammable in plastic bags.
  
  
• Make sure to mark which items you'll take yourself, so the movers won't take them or have any questions.
  
  

• Make sure you haven't overlooked anything in the house.
  
  
• Mark your boxes to be shipped with "Fragile", "Do Not Load", "Load Last" stickers.
  
  
• Prepare items you will need while your goods are in transit. Pack suitcases if you have not done so already.
  
  
• Pack a box of things you'll need as soon as you arrive at your new home. (This might include non-aerosol cleaning supplies, disposable plates and cups, light tools, snacks, bathroom items and trash bags.)
  
  
• Take this box with you or have the driver load it last and unload first. This is usually the day packing is done.
  
  
• Make sure all packing services have been performed before you sign for them.
  
  

• Be on hand when the driver arrives and throughout the loading process. (If you won't be there, make sure someone will be there to direct the movers. Make sure the driver has in writing the name and phone number of that person.)
  
  
• Accompany the driver during inventory. Check on the condition of your goods as they are loaded.
  
  
• Make a final tour of your home. See that nothing is overlooked.
  
  
• Double check closets, drawers, shelves, attic and garage to be sure they are empty.
  
  
• Sign the bill of lading and make sure your new address and phone number are correct.
  
  
• Lock all windows and doors, and turn off all switches.
  
  
• Carry important documents, currency and jewelry yourself, or use registered mail.
  
  
• Carry traveler’s checks for quick, available funds.
  
  
• Arrive at your home a day ahead of time, if possible, to make sure utilities are connected and to plan placement of major items in your home.
  
  
• Be on hand to pay the driver with cash, traveler's check, certified check or money order prior to your goods being unloaded.
  
  

• Renew your driver's license, auto registration and tags.
  
  
• Shop around for new insurance policies, especially auto coverage.
  
  
• Revise your will and other legal papers to reflect your new address.
  
  
• Locate the hospitals, police stations, veterinarian and fire stations near your home.