Moving Guide

4 Weeks Before Moving

 * Tour your house, including the attic, garage, storage shed and decide which items should be discarded or donated to charity. Consider a garage sale.

 * Contact your agent and request an accurate estimate of your moving charges.

 * Begin to use up frozen food and staples. Buy only what will be used before moving. It is inadvisable to move frozen goods in th van over long distances.

 * Make your travel reservations for the trip -- airline, hotel, rental car.

 * Arrange for transfer of records etc. Refer to personal check list.

3 Weeks Before Moving

 * Arrange for transportation of pets including kennels. Check with your veterinarian.

 * Start preparing your plants for the move. Refer to the plant brochure from your agent.

 * Return library books, video tapes and other borrowed items. Collect anything lent or out for repairs/layaway

 * Dispose of flammables -- paint, matches, pressure cans, cleaning fluids, etc.

 * Notify post office mail order accounts, etc., of your pending change-of-address. Refer to the check list.

2 Weeks Before Moving

 * Draw up a floor plan of your new home and indicate furniture placement. It makes moving twice as easy.

 * Set a date with a reliable service firm to prepare your appliances for moving. Check with your agent for their recommendation.

 * Start packing if you have planned to do some of it yourself. Refer to the packing brochure from your agent.

 * Arrange for a baby sitter for moving day.

 * Plan to discontinue utilities, delivery service etc. Refer to the checklist.

1 Weeks Before Moving

 * Prepare for car trip. Finish packing all suitcases and basic essentials. Plan to carry with you valuable documents, currency, and jewelry.

 * Drain water from garden hose and oil/fuel from power mower and other machinery.

 * Defrost and wipe dry fridge and freezer. Don't overlook the defrost water pan.

 * Take down curtain rods, shelves-items permanently attached. Dismantle large power tools such as lathes, grinders, etc.

 * Prepare a list of first minute items you will need upon arrival at your new home.

Check List

Transfer

 * House/Car Insurance etc.

 * Medical/Optometrist records

 * Club memberships

 * School records

 * Bank records

 * Veterinarian records

 * Legal contracts

 * Dental records

Notify

 * Post office

 * Friends/relatives

 * Credit card companies

 * Mail order accounts

 * Magazines

 * Vehicle registration bureau

 * Government(family allowances, etc.0

 * Church

Discontinue

 * Electricity

 * Gas/Fuel/Oil

 * Water/Softener services

 * Telephone

 * Cable/Entertainment rentals

 * Lawn/Snow service

 * Garbage collection

 * Newspaper delivery

 * Diaper service

 * Household cleaning service

 * Food service

 * Nursery service

 * Laundry/dry cleaning service