Discover America Relocation Moving Countdown

8 Weeks Prior to the Scheduled Move

·         Determine moving requirements:  Is a professional mover necessary?  If not, what arrangements should be made for the move, truck, labor, boxes?

·         Decide what items from the current property will go to the new home.  Drawing a floor plan of the new home may help you decide.  

·         If using a professional mover, obtain estimates for the various components of the move such as packing, packing materials, actual cost of the move.

·         If moving yourself, get truck rental estimates and availability, determine packing needs for boxes and breakables.  Reserve your truck if you are certain of the move date.  Start packing boxes of items you do not use regularly or will not need for the move, label in detail.  One suggestion is to number the boxes and keep an inventory of what is in the box by number and where the box will go in the new home.  Label the top and at least a couple of sides of the boxes as boxes are turned during the move.

·         Make travel arrangements if traveling by air or other than by car/truck

·         If you have vehicles to move, consider different options

·         Begin using up frozen foods if they can’t be moved.

·         Check with the children’s new school, what documents from their current school are required. 

·         Ask your REALTOR® to obtain a relocation package for your new city if moving out of the area or contact the Chamber of Commerce. 

·         Check with your veterinarian as to travel documents and shots required in different states.  Such as, if you are moving from an area where heart worm preventative is not common and traveling through or to areas where it would be suggested, you will want to start your dog on the preventative as some preventatives must be in the pets system prior to being effective.

·         NOTE:  Do not over pack boxes, heavy boxes are not easily moved

6 Weeks Prior to the Move

·         Finalize costs and contracts for packing, loading, delivery and insurance for the move.  Remember to discuss the claims procedure with your mover. 

·         Continue packing and sorting items, estimate packing needs such as special boxes or materials for fragile items

·         Of the items not making the move, what can be sold and what will go to charity.  Make garage sale arrangements or place ads for the items being sold and schedule pick up arrangements for donated items. 

·         Get copies of all records or find out procedures for obtaining them for new practitioners from doctors, dentists, lawyers, accountants, veterinarians, schools, church etc… Pack these items to travel with you in a box marked important

·         Discuss with your CPA or accountant how to document tax deductible moving expenses and keep accurate records.

·         Arrange for storage in the new or existing city if necessary.

4 Weeks Prior to the Move

·         If you have contracted with a professional mover to pack and move, finalize the date. 

·         If you are moving yourself, schedule the trucks, make labor arrangements, obtain boxes and packing materials still needed

·         Continue to pack and start packing items you could do without for the next few weeks

·         Clean or repair furniture, curtains, carpets, etc…

·         Hold a garage sale

·         Determine how indoor and outdoor plants will be moved

·         Consider a baby sitter for the children during the final packing day(s)

·         Start a list of items (or a box) and keep it handy of things you want to have travel with you and you will need immediately upon arrival

3 Weeks Prior to the Move

·         Confirm dates for move and packing with mover or

·         If moving yourself confirm truck rental and labor availability

·         Assemble moving gear for packing day:

1.      Boxes, boxes and more boxes – items stack and haul better in boxes (Linens, pillows, stuffed animals and other soft items can be put in bags and used as filler in a truck)

2.      Furniture pads

3.      Dolly and hand truck

4.      Packing tape

5.      Bubble wrap (linens can be used to cushion breakables)

6.      Newspapers or white packing paper

7.      Scissors

8.      Utility knife

9.      Labels

10.  Markers

11.  Boxes, boxes and more boxes – liquor stores have very good boxes for glassware and they will save them for you if you ask

12.  Red tape or some item for marking important – open me first – boxes

·         Call utilities to schedule cancel dates for your current property and start dates at your new home

·         Check your cell phone for coverage during the move and in your new city

·         Confirm travel arrangements for you, your plants and your pets

·         Finalize vehicle moving arrangements if you are having to move a vehicle

·         Get car license, registration and insurance information in order and pack in a box marked important to travel with you along with your pet travel documents

2 Weeks Prior to the Move

·         Arrange to transfer bank accounts to ne