• Pick up a Change-of-Address Kit from the Post Office and fill it out for:
  • Banks
  • Insurance companies
  • Credit card companies
  • Magazines and newspapers – to cancel local newspaper delivery
  • Doctors, dentists and other providers – to transfer drug prescriptions
  • Past employer – for W2 forms
• Take a look around the house.
• Start to think about what you don’t want to take with you.
• Try to use up perishable foods
• Sell, donate or hold a garage sale for unwanted items
• Prepare a list of what you want to move.
• Large appliances?
• Outside furniture?

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
• Videotape your home and its contents for future reference 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
• 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 including: Dishes, Pots and pans, Alarm clock, Bedding, Special toys, Towels, Light Bulbs, Plates, Tools – hammer, pliers, and screw driver.
• If you do not have copies, pick up your important records: Birth, Doctor, Dentist, Legal, Optician, Optometrist, School Documents, Veterinarian.
• Close out your bank accounts
• Start a new bank account in your new area.
• Transfer account from current bank?
• Contact your child’s new school; notify them of your upcoming move to their area.
• Contact the Chamber of Commerce. Request a relocation package.

• Pack your vital documents in one place:
  Passports, Military records, Mortgage records, Marriage license, Birth certificates, Vehicle titles, Stock certificates, Insurance papers, Bank records, School records, and Medical records.
• Make arrangements to disconnect your utilities. Get refunds for any deposits made. Have meters read. Give them your new address to send their final bill: Cable – return box if necessary, Electric, Gas, Fuel, Telephone, and Water.
• Make arrangements to connect utilities to your New Home.
• Make arrangements for cleaning your old home.
• Inquire about your new area’s auto licensing procedure and auto insurance rates.
• Check with your insurance company about transferring coverage to your New Home.
• Do you need to have someone watch your children away from the house on moving day?

• Dispose of any flammable items: lawn mower gas, snow blower gas, and paint aerosol cans.
• Plan what goes in the car with you: Toys and games for kids, Special breakable items or collections, Important documents and records, Change of clothes and toiletries for your first day, Vacuum cleaner – if you want to clean right away, Toilet paper, First aid kit, Food kit with bottled water.
• Make travel arrangements for your pets and plants.
• Purchase moving insurance if you have valuable antiques and collections.
• Have your car tuned up, oil changed and ready for the trip.

• Defrost, clean and air out your refrigerator.
• Clean your stove.
• Check your moving company’s payment policies. Do you need to have the payment ready for the mover?
• Purchase traveler’s checks for other possible expenses.
• Pack your former town’s phone book for future correspondence.
• Get a simple breakfast ready for the next morning.
• Pick up ice and beverages for moving day.
• Take down curtains and curtain rods.

• Strip your beds.
• Moving company – will they disassemble the beds? Show movers around. Make sure your possessions to be moved are identified with the movers.
• Gather all keys and put them in a safe place.
• Make sure moving van driver has correct address, phone number and directions.
• Confirm delivery date with movers.
• Check all rooms one last time.
• Remember closets and cupboards, basement and garage!
• Make sure all windows and doors are locked.