Moving Check List

Moving Checklist

Uboxes has created a checklist for your next big adventure! If you are moving to another state, or just down the street, we believe you will find this list helpful. We guide you through a moving schedule from months prior to the day of, packing for a move and helpful moving tips!

Two Months Prior to Moving Day

• If you use a mover, get 2-3 estimates from moving companies you can trust. Such as The American Alliance of Ethical Movers
• If you move, get costs from a truck rental company
• Create a floor plan of your new home for furniture and appliance placement
• 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
• Prepare current house for sale – upgrade lighting, lawn, and paint
• Arrange to transfer school records.
• Choose a mover from the quotes and reserve your moving and delivery dates.
• 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

• Subscribe to the paper in your new hometown to learn more about your new community.
• Make arrangements for storage if necessary.
• Ask your doctor or health plan provider for referrals, and obtain all medical records.
• Have antiques, pieces of art, and other valuables appraised?
• Start using foods and cleaning supplies that cannot be moved.

Four weeks prior to Moving Day

• 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.
• Change the locks on all the doors in your new home, if the new home is ready.
• If you are moving, reserve a rental truck for your selected moving day.
• 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.
• Arrange for cleaning and repair of furniture, drapes, and carpeting
• 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.
• 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

• Hold your moving sale.
• Properly dispose of items that cannot be moved, such as flammable liquids
• Obtain and fill out post office change-of-address cards.
• Prepare auto registration for transfer (if moving to another state).
• Make childcare arrangements for moving day.

Two weeks prior to Moving Day

• Arrange for donation or disposal of anything not sold at your moving 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 you move, send change-of-address cards to everyone who will need to contact you.
• 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.
• Order new checks. Have them ready with your new address by moving day

One day prior to Moving Day

• Transfer your bank accounts.
• 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 & freezer, propping doors open.
• Let movers pack your belongings (unless it’s a do-it-yourself move).
• Disconnect and prepare major appliances for the 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 a certified check 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

• Again, be on hand at your new house 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 certified check or traveler’s checks unless other arrangements have been made in advance.
• With this last box checked, you’ll be ready to enjoy the fruits of your organization and your new home.