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Plan your Move Wisely!
It's really never too soon to begin planning for a move, and veteran movers have found that a comprehensive timetable and checklist is the best strategy to ensure a smooth relocation. It's also a great way to involve the entire family in the move and to spread some of the responsibilities to each person, including your children. You'll feel a sense of accomplishment as items are checked off. Moreover, as the weeks roll by, your checklist will help ensure that nothing has been overlooked or omitted from your planning, and that alone will go a long way toward relieving some of your anxiety.
First, make some initial inquiries and plans...
- Call acouple of recommended movers.
- Confirm your choice with the Better Business Bureau.
- Make an appointment for their representative to visit your home to discuss the move.
- Ask about cost, timing requirements, the company's liability in case of damage or loss, the company's procedure for unloading at the other end, and any special requirements such as moving a piano, antiques or appliances.
- Find out the payment details . Most companies insist on payment by certified cheque, cash or money order before your belongings are unloaded at the new home.
- Expensive items should be appraised prior to your move. Get moving company appraisals of items for future claims.
- Ensure you have adequate insurance for goods in transit.
- Ensure your moving in or out times do not conflict with the other party.
Eight Weeks Before
- Contact your mover to make arrangements for moving day.
- Remove items from your attic, basement, storage shed, etc.
- Start to use up things you can't move, such as frozen foods and cleaning supplies.
- Contact the Chamber of Commerce or visitors and tourism bureaus in your new community for information on your new city.
Six Weeks Before
- If you're moving at an employer's request, verify what expenses and responsibilities are theirs and which are yours.
- Contact your accountant for information on what moving expenses may be tax-deductible.
- Begin to inventory and evaluate your possessions. What can be sold or donated to a charitable organization? What haven't you used within the last year?
- Make a list of everyone you need to notify about your move: friends, professionals, creditors, subscriptions, etc.
- Obtain a mail subscription to the local paper in your new community to familiarize yourself with local government, community, and social news and activities.
- Locate all auto licensing and registration documents.
- If some of your goods are to be stored, make the necessary arrangements now. (Your moving consultant should be able to help.)
- Contact schools, doctors, dentists, lawyers and accountants and obtain copies of your personal records. Ask for referrals where possible.
Four Weeks Before
- Obtain a change-of-address kit from the post office and begin filling out the cards. Notify post office and send out change of address cards to companies, family and friends to inform of move.
- Check and clear tax assessments on your current property.
- Arrange special transport for your pets and plants.
- Contact utility and related companies for service disconnect/connect at your old and new addresses. However, remember to keep phone and utilities connected at your current home throughout moving day.
- Contact insurance companies (auto, homeowner's or renters, medical, and life) to arrange for coverage in your new home.
- If you're packing yourself, purchase packing boxes from your mover. Pack items that you won't need in the next month.
- Plan a garage sale to sell unneeded items or arrange to donate them to charity.
- Cancel newspapers, cleaning person, pool maintenance, snow removal, etc.
Three Weeks Before
- Make travel arrangements and reservations for your moving trip. However, don't make plane reservations for the same day that you're moving out. House closings are often delayed. and other unexpected situations often arise.
- Collect important papers (insurance, will, deeds, stock, etc.).
- Reconcile and close checking, savings accounts. Arrange to have cash or traveler's checks for your trip.
- Have any ongoing prescriptions refilled.
- Get school records for transfer to new school.
Two Weeks Before
- Have your car checked and serviced for the trip. Also, make sure that your automobile is prepared (filled with the necessary antifreeze/coolant, for example) for the type of weather conditions you'll be traveling in.
- If you're moving out of or into a building with elevators, contact the building management to schedule use of the elevators.
- Contact your moving consultant to review and confirm all arrangements for your move.
- Pick up anything you have out for repairs or service. Pick up any dry cleaning,
- Return all items borrowed, collect all items loaned, return library books and rented videotapes, etc.
At your present home
- Check to see if your Lawyer is making the following arrangements and if not, make them yourself.
- Arrange to have your gas and electric meters read on the day that you leave and have the bill forwarded to your new address.
- If you have oil tanks in your home, check with your lawyer about getting credit for the oil left in them.
- If your water heater and/or furnace are rented, arrange for a transfer of the rental agreement to the purchaser.
- Make arrangement to disconnect your telephone, cable TV.
At your new home
- Make arrangements for the gas, electric utilities, telephone and cable TV to be connected on the day the sale closes (or possession date)
One Week Before
- Settle any outstanding bills with local merchants.
- Don't forget to withdraw the contents of your safety deposit box and take your valuables with you or arrange to have them sent by registered, insured mail.
- Take pets to the veterinarian for any needed immunizations. Get copies of pets' records.
- Movers refuse combustibles. Dispose of flammable items. Drain gas and oil from power equipment (lawn mowers, outboard motors, snow blowers, etc.)
- Bar-B-Q tanks will be refused as well.
- Give away plants not being moved.
- Prepare specific directions to your new home for your moving company. (Include your itinerary, emergency numbers, etc.)
- Make plans for hauling off any remaining trash when the move is over.
Two to Three Days Before
- Defrost your freezer and refrigerator. Block doors open so they can't accidentally close on pets or children.
- Have your major appliances disconnected and prepared for the move. (Again, your moving consultant can help with arrangements for a third party to provide these services.)
- Pack a box of personal items that will be needed immediately at your new home. Have this box loaded last or carry it with you in your car.
- Organize and set aside those things that you're taking with you so that they don't get loaded on the van in error.
- Contact your moving consultant to confirm arrival time of the moving van, as well as to notify him/her of any last-minute details.
Moving Day
At your Old Home
- Take out the trash.
- Notify neighbours that you are leaving - as a courtesy to the new owners, you may want to leave the purchasers name and address with them in case of a break-in or emergency.
- Ensure that all doors and windows are locked.
- If you are leaving appliances, make sure they are clean and empty - such as a fridge.
- Your van operator and crew arrive at the agreed upon time. Make sure that someone is at home for any inquiries the van operator may have with respect to your shipment.
- Record all utility meter readings (gas, electric, water).
- Read your bill of lading and inventory carefully before you sign them. Keep these - and all related papers - in a safe location until all charges have been paid and all claims, if any, have been settled.
At your New Home
- Conduct a walkthrough before the movers arrive to record any damages that may have occured since the offer was signed and prior to moving.
- Record all utility meter readings (gas, electric, water).
This information is provided as a service to our web site visitors. Home Inspectors® endeavours to maintain accurate and current information, however all information posted on our web site may be subject to change without notice, and should be verified by contacting the agency in question (if applicable) before use of, or reliance upon, any information posted herein. While we attempt to ensure that all information is accurate and a fair depiction of real circumstances, it is to be used solely for information purposes. Home Inspectors® may not be held responsible for the accuracy of any of the above information. Re- production of any of this information is strictly prohibited without written permission of Home Inspectors®.
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