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Two
Months Prior to Moving Day
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If you use a
mover, get 2-3 estimates from
moving companies you can trust.
Such as the The American
Alliance of Ethical Movers
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If you move
yourself, get costs from a truck
rental company
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Create a floor
plan of your new home for
furniture and appliance
placement
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Make an inventory
of your household goods and
begin to remove clutter (start
with the basement, attic,
garage, and other storage
areas). Prepare to have a moving
sale for your less valuable
items, and have a net-auction
for the more valuable ones – see
QuikDrop.com
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Prepare current
house for sale – upgrade
lighting, lawn and paint
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Arrange to
transfer school records.
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Choose a mover
from the quotes and reserve your
moving and delivery dates.
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Get your new home
ready – Contact painters,
carpenters, plumbers, roofers
etc., so your home is ready when
you arrive
Six
weeks prior to Moving Day
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Subscribe to the
paper in your new hometown to
learn more about your new
community.
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Make arrangements
for storage if necessary
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Ask your doctor or
health plan provider for
referrals, and obtain all
medical records.
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Have antiques,
pieces of art, and other
valuables appraised
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Clean all closets
and drawers.
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Start using foods
and cleaning supplies that
cannot be moved.
Four
weeks prior to Moving Day
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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
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Change the locks
on all the doors in your new
home, if the new home is ready.
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If you are moving
yourself, reserve a rental truck
for your selected moving day.
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If you are packing
yourself, obtain packing
materials from uBoxes.com and
start packing items you won’t
need until after you arrive at
your new house.
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Arrange for
cleaning and repair of
furniture, drapes, and carpeting
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Arrange for
special transportation of your
pets and plants if necessary.
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Check with your
insurance company to see how
your possessions are covered
during transit.
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Make any travel
plans necessary for your move.
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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 prior to Moving Day
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Hold your moving
sale.
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Properly dispose
of items that cannot be moved,
such as flammable liquids
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Obtain and fill
out post office
change-of-address cards.
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Prepare auto
registration for transfer (if
moving to another state).
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Make child-care
arrangements for moving day.
Two
weeks prior to Moving Day
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Arrange for
donation or disposal of anything
not sold at your moving sale.
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Service your car
in preparation for the move. If
you’re moving from a warm
climate to a cold one, check
your antifreeze.
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Return any
borrowed items (including
library books) and retrieve any
loaned items.
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Cancel newspaper
delivery.
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Notify any
creditors of your move.
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Transfer
prescriptions and be sure you
have an adequate supply of
medications on hand.
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Assemble a file
folder of information to leave
for the new owner of your home.
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Change your
address. One week before you
move, send change-of-address
cards to everyone who will need
to contact you.
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Pack a travel kit:
Put aside critical items like a
checkbook, credit cards,
personal phone book, ID,
flashlight, keys, toiletries,
paper plates, cups, towels,
travel alarm clock, aspirin,
bandages and games for the kids.
Also, pack a suitcase with
clothing and other personal
items.
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Order new checks.
Have them ready with your new
address by moving day
One
day prior to Moving Day
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Transfer your bank
accounts.
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Close and empty
your safe-deposit box.
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Settle any bills
with local businesses.
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Drain power
equipment of oil and gas. Drain
water hoses.
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Find new homes for
plants that will not be moved.
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Confirm any travel
reservations.
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Defrost
refrigerator & freezer, propping
doors open.
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Let movers pack
your belongings (unless it’s a
do-it-yourself move).
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Disconnect and
prepare major appliances for
move.
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Set aside anything
that will travel in your car so
it will not be loaded on the
truck.
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Pack a box of
items that will be needed first
at the new house. Clearly mark
this box “load last.”
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Obtain certified
check or traveler’s checks for
the trip and to pay the movers.
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Confirm arrival
time of your moving van/truck.
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If moving
yourself, dismantle beds and
other large furniture.
Moving Day
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If using a mover,
be sure someone is at the old
house to answer questions.
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Note all utility
meter readings.
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Read your bill of
lading and inventory carefully
before signing. Keep this
paperwork in a safe place.
Delivery Day-Again, be
on hand at your new house to
answer any questions.
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Check your
belongings carefully and note on
the inventory paperwork any
damaged items.
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On an interstate
move, be prepared to pay the
driver before your possessions
are unloaded.
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Supervise
unloading and unpacking.
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Be prepared to pay
your mover with certified check
or traveler’s checks unless
other arrangements have been
made in advance.
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With this last
box checked, you’ll be ready to
enjoy the fruits of your
organization and your new home.
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