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Moving Day Countdown Checklist

Eight Weeks Prior to Moving Day

• Decide which items are to be moved.
• Select a moving company to perform your move.
• Start to use up items that are not easy to move, such as frozen foods.
•  Contact the municipal offices of the community to which you are moving to acquire information.

Six Weeks Prior to Moving Day

• Inventory and evaluate your possessions.
•  Compile a list of everyone you need to notify about your pending move using the Change of Address Checklist provided herein.
• Make arrangements, if required, to store specific items.
• Contact doctors, dentists, veterinarians, lawyers, accountants and schools to obtain copies or transfers of personal records, transcripts and, where possible, referrals.

Four Weeks Prior to Moving Day

• Notify post office of your new address and arrange for mail to be forwarded. Complete and post all Change of Address cards
• Arrange for special transport for your plants and pets
• Arrange to disconnect or transfer responsibility for utilities and services at your existing home.
• Arrange to connect or assume responsibility for utilities and services at your new home
• Confirm loading and delivery dates with your chosen moving company. Purchase packing boxes for those items you intend to pack yourself range your personal and family travel plans
• Arrange to close, transfer and/or open all financial institution and brokerage accounts to your new community
• Prepare a list of issues and open activities that need to be addressed prior to your moving day

Two Weeks Prior to Moving Day

• Collect clothing items to be cleaned or repaired
• Send out area carpets and draperies for cleaning and have them delivered to your new home
• Collect items loaned to others and return those borrowed
• Conduct a yard sale and/or give away unwanted items to eliminate that which you don’t wish to move
• Draw up a detailed floor plan of your new home, clearly indicate the positioning of all furniture, fixtures and chattels, and then provide a copy to your moving company and anyone assisting with your move
• Arrange for baby/pet sitting, if required, for moving day
• Arrange for insurance coverage for your new residence and all items placed in storage.

One Week Prior to Moving Day

• Set all items aside that you intend to transport yourself to your new home
• Prepare “DO NOT MOVE” cartons for items you intend to transport yourself to your new home
• Take down and/or dismantle curtain systems, blinds, shelving, build-ins, etc. if moving company is not responsible for performing same.

One Day Prior Moving Day

• Clean stove, oven and microwave
• Empty and clean your refrigerator and freezer
• Complete packing of personal items
• Set aside all personal and “DO NOT MOVE” cartons that you intend to move yourself. Get a good night’s sleep.

Moving Day

• Ensure that someone in the “know” is present at your existing home to answer questions and address issues as they arise throughout the packing and moving process. The movers will make note of the condition of your goods on a master list. It is your responsibility to make sure it’s accurate.
• Conduct a final inspection of all appliances to ensure they are clean and in proper working order
• Record all utility meter readings, and then verify the accuracy of your notations. Review and sign all copies of bills of lading for the moving company. Ensure your new home address and emergency contact numbers are correctly noted on these documents.
• Provide a detailed map as to how to get to your new home to the moving company driver and confirm his understanding of same
• Thoroughly clean all rooms, closets, the basement, and the garage in your existing home as the movers remove its contents
• Conduct a room by room inspection of the entire home and walk around the property to ensure all items that were to be moved have been, that all doors and windows are closed and locked, and that all lights, fans, and water faucets are shut off
• Contact insurance agency to confirm that you have vacated your existing residence. Notify your landlord or real estate sales representative and lawyer that your existing home is now available for vacant possession.

Taking Possession of Your New Home

• Ensure that someone in the “know” is present at your new home to answer questions and address issues as they arise throughout the moving and unpacking process. Review you floor plan with the moving company foreman.
• Examine all items as they are unloaded and check off each against your inventory list to account for all transported items and their condition upon arrival. Arrange to have appliances installed, where applicable.
• Arrange for the assembly of all items dismantled prior to being moved. Verify the condition of all items moved noting any damage prior to signing off on moving company’s final documentation upon completion of the move. 

Change of Address Checklist