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8 Weeks Before The Move

1. If you are using a professional mover, get estimates from different moving companies and choose the one that is best suited to your needs (Get References!) If you are moving yourself, get estimates from truck rental companies and be sure to reserve in advance
2. Draw a floor plan of your new house. This will help you decide what furniture will be staying and what will be left behind
3. Use up things that cannot be moved, such as food in the freezer and flammable household aerosol cleaning supplies
4. Contact the chamber of commerce in your future location and start gathering information about your new home town (including cable or satellite T.V. providers, electric company, Gas Company, etc.)

5-6 Weeks Before The Move

1. Discuss costs, insurance, packing, loading, delivery and the claims procedure with your mover.
2. Inventory all of your possessions now; determine what can be sold and what can be donated for a tax deduction charity.
3. Get copies of your records from Doctors, dentists, Lawyers, Accountants, etc. Make arrangements to transfer your children's school records.
4. Go to the post office and obtain a change of address kit (or go online with the USPS) and start filling out the cards. Don't forget about changing the address for magazines, newspaper, credit card company(s), catalogs, creditors, etc.
5. Find out from your accountant or the IRS about tax-deductible moving expenses and make sure your records remain accurate.

4 Weeks Before The Move

1. If you have contracted to have the mover do all the packing for you, arrange to have this task completed a day or two before loading time.
2. If you need to store some goods, make these arrangements ahead of time.
3. Clean or repair any furniture, curtains or carpets that require it.
4. Hold a garage sale to remove any un-needed things and use money$$$ to splurge on the new place!
5. If you are moving yourself, figure out how many boxes you'll need (many moving companies or rental places will provide this service).
6. Do-it-yourselfers should take stock of non-box-able items. Add 15% to their combined cubic feet (along with total cubic feet of boxed items) to ensure rental of the proper size truck.

3 Weeks Before The Move

1. Assemble the packing materials
(Furniture Pads – Crumpled Newspapers - Scissors - Dolly – Hand Truck & Packing Tape – Utility Knife – Large Self Stick Labels – Bubble Wrap - Styrofoam Peanuts (consider the environment) – Many Boxes – Felt Tip Markers – Nylon String or Rope
2. Begin packing items that you will not need and don’t pack too much in each box
3. Get license, insurance, and registration if needed for rental truck company
4. Arrange to cancel utilities for a specific date and start date for your new home
5. Make your travel and hotel reservations if needed

2 Weeks Before The Move

1. Arrange to transfer all of your bank account details (mailing etc.) to the new address
2. Make any special arrangements to move pets, such as purchasing airline reservations and traveling containers. 3. Consult your veterinarian about how to make moving easier for your pet
4. Contact city/town hall of your new town to address dog or cat licenses (as needed).
5. Inform your long distance carrier and/or cable provider of your move
6. Make arrangements for your new telephone service and advise your cell provider of your move
7. Have your car checked and serviced prior to your trip (including tires, oil change, brakes and all fluids)
8. If you are changing banks, make sure that all direct deposits or automatic payments are updated to the new bank
9. Cancel any delivery services and move to the new location

10. Contact Cable/Satellite providers to address installation dates

1 Week Before - The Move

1. Transfer all medical prescriptions to a local pharmacy near you new home
2. If you will need Babysitting, please advise whoever you are working with in advance of the move
3. Return library books/videos or games to appropriate locations

2 or 3 Days Before The Move

1. Defrost your refrigerator and freezer
2. Have the Movers pack your shipment
3. Arrange to have cash, certified check or money order ready to pay the driver on delivery date
4. Set aside valuables and legal documents to go with you, not in the van/truck
5. Pack clothing and toiletries you will need to go with you, not in the van/truck
6. Pack you first-day handy items in a box (see Delivery Day below)

0 Days Before The Move