Eight Weeks Before
	Six Weeks Before
	Four Weeks Before
	Three Weeks Before
	Two Weeks Before
	One Week Before
	Two-to-Three Days Before
	Moving Day
	At Destination

Eight Weeks Before

• Remove unnecessary items from your attic, basement, storage shed etc.

• Use things you can't move, such as frozen foods and cleaning supplies. 

• Obtain information about your new community. 

• Secure a floor plan of your new residence and decide what household items you want to keep. 

• Start a possessions inventory. Don't forget your child's video game system it will only make life harder on you. 

• Solicit estimates from at least three moving companies. 

• Call your homeowners insurance agent to find out to what degree your move is covered. 

• Create a file for documenting all moving papers and receipts. 

• Arrange to transfer your children’s school records. 

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Six Weeks Before

• Contact the IRS and/or your CPA for tax-deductible information. 

• Evaluate your possessions inventory. Can you donate anything? Do you need it all? 

• Notify your friends, relatives, professionals, creditors, subscriptions, etc. 

• Subscribe to a local paper in your new community and familiarize yourself with local government, community, and social news and activities. 

• Begin the off-site storage process (if applicable). 

• Locate high-quality health-care professionals and hospitals in your new location. 

• Complete a change of address via post-office cards or an online service for the following:

• Banks; Charge cards; Religious organizations; Doctors/dentist; Relatives and friends; Income tax bureau/Social Security Administration/union; Insurance broker/lawyer/CPA/ stockbroker; Magazines; Post office; and Schools. 

• Clean your closets. 

• Hold a moving/garage sale or donate items to charities. 

• Choose a mover. 

• Contact your mover to make arrangements and inquire about insurance coverage. 

• If relocating due to a job, contact your employer to see what costs, if any, they will cover. 

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Four Weeks Before

• Start packing! 

• Send furniture, drapes and carpets for repair/cleaning as needed. Gather auto licensing and registration documents, medical, dental and school records, birth certificates, wills, deeds, stock and other financial documentation, etc. 

• Contact gas, electric, oil, water, telephone, cable TV, and trash collection companies for service disconnect/connect at your old and new addresses. Also ask for final readings. 

• Request refunds on unused homeowner's insurance, security deposit with landlord, and prepaid cable service.

• Notify your gardener, snow removal service, and pool service (if applicable). 

• Contact insurance companies (auto, homeowner's, medical, and life) to arrange for coverage in your new home. 

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Three Weeks Before

• Make your travel plans. 

• Arrange to close current bank accounts and open accounts in your new locale. Notify the heir to your oil fortune (if necessary). 

• Notify your state's Motor Vehicle Bureau of your new address. 

• Arrange for childcare on moving day.

• NOTE: For apartment dwellers, reserve the elevator for pickup and/or delivery dates. 

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Two Weeks Before

• Arrange special transport for your pets and plants. 

• Service your car for the trip. 

• Contact your moving company and review arrangements for your move. 

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One Week Before

• Prepare detailed directions and an itinerary with emergency numbers for your moving company. 

• Settle outstanding bills with local retailers. 

• Pick up dry cleaning, and return library books and rented videotapes. 

• Take pets to the veterinarian and get copies of their records. 

• Drain gas and oil from power equipment. 

• Give away plants not being moved. 

• Cancel newspaper delivery. 

• Buy two-weeks worth of medication and have your prescriptions forwarded to your new pharmacy. 

• Buy traveler's checks. 

• Make arrangements to pay for your move. 

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Two-to-Three Days Before

• If you’re not doing it yourself, have your mover pack. 

• Defrost refrigerators and freezers. 

• Consider gathering all valuables and giving them to family or friends to hold until the move is completed. 

• Disconnect all major appliances. 

• Contact your moving company for any updates. 

• Pack first-night items and a survival kit. Keep them in separate boxes in your car. First Night Items: Sheets, Towels, Toiletries, Phone, Alarm Clock, Change of Clothes, and Flashlight

• Mover's Survival Kit: Scissors, utility knife, coffee cups, instant coffee/tea or a coffee maker, water and soft drinks, snacks, paper plates, plastic utensils, paper towels, toilet paper, soap, pencils and paper, local phone book, masking and/or duct tape, trash bags, shelf liner, and aspirin or ibuprofen. 

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Moving Day

• Be home to answer any questions your mover may have. 

• Record all utility meter readings (gas, electric, and water). 

• Stay until your movers are finished. 

• Complete information on the bill of lading and carefully read the document and the inventory sheet before signing it. 

• Keep your copies of the bill of lading and inventory until your possessions are delivered, the charges are paid, and any claims are settled. 

• Take one final look around to see if you forgot anything. 

• Give movers the directions to your new home, and an emergency number where you can be reached during the move. 

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At Destination

• Unpack first-night items and mover's survival kit. 

• Be at the destination to welcome the movers and be on hand to answer any questions. 

• After the job is completed, pay what is owed. The driver is obligated by law (a Federal requirement for interstate moves) to collect payment upon delivery. 

• Scrutinize the unloading of your items and account for each one on your inventory sheet. 

• Check promptly and carefully for any damaged or missing items. 

• Place moving and other important documents in a safe place. 

• Go to the post office and collect held mail. 

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