Countdown to Moving
Day
Planning for a move means organizing,
organizing and more organizing.
If you plan well, the whole process can be much easier to handle.
Take a look at the following guidelines and note right on these
pages anything else you need to remember.
Several Weeks in Advance
- Arrange for copies of medical, dental and other professional
records to be sent to your new location.
- Obtain copies of eyeglass and medical prescriptions.
- Register your children for school and arrange for
transcripts to be forwarded to the new school.
- Use up any frozen foods - movers do not ship perishables.
- Open a bank account and establish credit at your new
location.
- Start making travel plans. If you belong to a club or
organization that provides travel advisory services, contact
them soon.
- Make a list of those you want to notify of your change of
address (magazine publishers, insurance companies, national
credit card companies, brokers, attorneys, relatives and
friends).
- Cancel/transfer memberships in religious, civic, social and
fraternal organizations.
- Have your car checked for the trip.
- Ask your veterinarian about shipping pets and get record of
inoculations.
Two Weeks Before Moving
- Close all local charge accounts and destroy any credit cards
you won't need in your new location.
- Close your bank accounts. Empty your safe deposit box and
transfer contents to your new bank by registered mail.
- Notify utility companies of the date you want service
discontinued or transferred to new owner and request refund of
any deposits.
- Notify the post office of your move date and arrange for the
first class mail to be forwarded. Send out change of address
cards.
- Find out the requirements for driver's license and auto
registration in your new location, if you are moving out of
state.
- Go through the garage, basement and attic and dispose of
those things you know you won't need in your new home.
- Discontinue home delivery of newspapers, milk, etc.
- Return library books and other borrowed articles. Retrieve
any items you may have loaned out.
One Week Before Moving
- Arrange to take valuables with you or send ahead by
registered mail. Movers will not take valuables such as money,
securities, stamp or coin collections and jewelry.
- Set aside toys and games children might want to have with
them on the trip.
- Set aside items that you want to be given special handling
by the mover.
- Prepare a list of those things you want to "load last," so
you can get them first during unloading.
- Drain gasoline from your lawnmower and dispose of any
flammable or combustible materials. The mover will not take
materials such as gasoline, paint thinner, ammunition.
- Pick up articles of clothing at the cleaners.
The Day Before You Move
- The packing crew usually arrives the day before the van is
loaded. Be sure someone is on hand to supervise the packing.
- Pack any valuables you intend to take with you.
- Make sure fragile items receive special attention. Label
cartons as to contents and where they go in the new home.
- Empty, defrost, and wash out the refrigerator and freezer.
- Gather keys to the house and arrange to leave them with the
new owners of your home, your real estate agent, or a trusted
neighbor.
- Notify police if your home will be unoccupied after you
leave.
- Notify a close friend or relative of your itinerary in case
of emergency.
The Day You Move From Your Home
- Plan an early, simple breakfast.
- Check the mover's inventory to see that you agree with the
mover's judgment on the condition of your household goods. Take
photographs if there is a dispute.
- Make sure you get a copy of the inventory.
- Load those things you are taking on the trip, including
luggage.
- Search every room before the van leaves.
- Check the bill of lading for completeness before you sign
it. Retain a copy for your records.
- Find out the van driver's name and make certain he knows how
to reach you at the destination.
- Turn off the water heater. Set your thermostat at 55
degrees.
The Day Before You Move Into Your New Home
- 1. Get there before the movers. There could be a waiting
charge if you are late.
- Contact utility companies.
- Check appliances, furnace, and hot water heater, so you can
contact a repairman immediately if something is not working.
- Check household goods carefully as they are unloaded for
loss or damage. List all lost or damaged items on the inventory
form.
- Since you will probably do some unpacking after the movers
leave, make a note on the inventory "subject to inspection for
concealed damage."
- Ask the mailman if he is holding any mail for your arrival.
After You Are Settled
- Obtain necessary licenses: driver's, automobile, dog, etc.
- Contact newspapers, dairy, etc., for home deliveries.
- Register car at new address (there may be a penalty if you
wait too long).
- Register to vote.
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