Moving Tips

For Full Service Moves

  • Get written estimates from several moving companies
  • Will the movers pack for you?
  • What items won’t they move?
  • Get appraisals of high-value items in case of future claims

For Do-It-Yourself Moves

  • Make arrangements for truck rental and moving help, and buy packing supplies:
  • Boxes
  • Packing and masking tape
  • Markers
  • Newspapers
  • Twine
  • Get rid of anything you do not use. Give it away to charities, friends, family, or toss it. A garage sale is a good solution as well.
  • Verify when your landlord needs notice and make sure to give it in plenty of time.

Two Months Prior to Moving

  • Clean out the attic, basement, storage shed, and garage.
  • Contact your insurance companies to notify them of the move.
  • Create a move file to keep all moving documentation in one location.
  • Plan arrangements to have your children’s school records sent to their new school.

1 ½ Months Prior to Moving

  • Choose your moving company and make tentative move day plans or if doing it by yourself schedule your moving van.
  • Clean out closets and any other small storage areas.

1 Month Prior to Moving

Start packing boxes. Mark boxes clearly as to contents and room to be placed in. Mark “Open First” clearly on boxes containing important items to be unpacked first. Other boxes can be named: Dishes, pots & pans, alarm clock, bedding, towels, light bulbs, plates, tools – hammer, etc. These boxes will most likely be needed during your initial move in period.

Make arrangements to schedule disconnect and transfer dates with your utility companies. Schedule refunds for any deposits made. Give new address for them to send their final bill:

  • Cable (return box if necessary)
  • Electric
  • Gas
  • Fuel
  • Telephone
  • Water

Organize important documents and keep them in a safe place:

  • Passports
  • Military records
  • Mortgage records
  • Marriage license
  • Birth certificates
  • Vehicle titles
  • Stock certificates
  • Insurance papers
  • Bank records
  • School records
  • Medical records
  • Tax records

Complete a change of address form and notify friends and family and the following of your new address:

  • Schools
  • Former Employer (W-2)
  • Social Security
  • Credit Cards
  • Loans
  • Doctors/Dentists
  • Banks
  • Churches
  • Insurance
  • Attorney
  • Accountant
  • Phone Service

3 Weeks Prior to Moving

Make arrangements for picking up your important records that you do not already have:

  • Birth/Death records
  • Family Doctor, Dentist, Optometrist, Orthodontist and other specialties
  • Legal
  • Veterinarian
  • School Documents
  • Contact the Chamber of Commerce in your new town. Request a relocation package.

2 Weeks Prior to Moving

  • Confirm moving date with moving company &/or your rental van company.
  • Take care of any arrangements for your pets and children for the move day.
  • Contact banks to close out accounts and/or open accounts in your new community.
  • Discontinue or transfer newspaper subscriptions.
  • Confirm all utility transfers/disconnects.
  • Take care of change of address with Motor Vehicle Bureau.
  • Clean out refrigerator and try to use up all perishable items.
  • Don’t forget about any safe deposit boxes you may have.
  • Get your car serviced if you will be driving it a distance.
  • Drain all gasoline and oil from lawnmowers and other power equipment.
  • Write out driving directions for the moving company.

1 Week Prior to Move

  • Pick up all laundry and dry cleaning.
  • Return library books, videotapes, etc.
  • Empty your safe deposit box and gather all valuables and important papers for safe transport to your new location.
  • Fill prescriptions, making sure you have at least two weeks’ supply

Pick up your important records:

  • Birth/Death records
  • Family Doctor, Dentist, Optometrist, Orthodontist and other specialties
  • Legal
  • Veterinarian
  • School Documents

1 Day Prior to Move

  • Pack your former town’s phone book for future correspondence.
  • Pick up ice and beverages for moving day.
  • Record utility readings (oil, gas, and electric) to compare to final bills.
  • Empty and defrost/clean refrigerator and freezers.
  • Disconnect and clean any other appliances that will be coming with you.
  • Gather keys, alarm codes, garage door remote controls, etc., and have them ready to turn over to the new owner.
  • Confirm move time with moving company or confirm pickup time of your rental van.

The Day of the Move

  • Make sure moving van driver has correct address, phone number and directions.
  • Keep any valuables or family heirlooms with you.
  • Make sure to have your move file and keys handy.
  • Double check the entire house before the movers leave.
  • Lock all windows and doors and turn keys in.
  • Meet the movers promptly at your new home to supervise placement of boxes and furniture.

REMEMBER: Your moving expenses may be tax deductible, so hang on to your receipts. Visit the Internal Revenue Service website at www.irs.gov and obtain the “Tax Information On Moving Expenses” to find out which moving expenses you can deduct.