Now you are ready to move.  So what's next?  Are you ready to 
ship your belongings across town...or across the country?  Moving 
can be one of life's most stressful events but the proper planning 
and preparation can make the process much easier.   

Six Weeks Prior To Moving

• Determine what can go with you and what can actually stay behind.  

• Get estimates from several moving companies.   Ask for referrals.  

• Consider a moving or garage sale if you have many items that are worth selling.

• Request information on schools, recreation, maps and parks from the local Chamber of Commerce or Visitors Bureau of your new town.

• Start and keep a file of all the details and receipts of your move.  Place them in a brightly colored folder so you will be less likely to misplace it.

• Create a simple floor plan of your new home and begin thinking about where you will want to place furniture.

Five Weeks Prior To Moving

• Select your moving company and meet to discuss dates and costs involved.

• Start gathering boxes...you will need them.

Four Weeks Prior To Moving

• Let the post office, magazines, credit card companies and friends and family know of your change of address. There is a FREE handy kit offered by the Post Office for your convenience.

• Contact all utilities (gas, water, electricity, telephone, cable or satellite TV, etc...) to schedule disconnection of services on the day of your move.  

• Contact all the utilities in your new town to arrange for service the start day before your move so that you will have service the day you arrive at your new home.

• Complete any repair work on your old home.

• Start to pack items that you rarely use such as photographs, non-daily clothing, fancy dishes and glasses and decorative items.

Three Weeks Prior To Moving

• Start packing now.  Mark which room the boxes are going to go into right on the box.

• Place essentials into boxes that are labeled "Open this box first/Load this box last".  When you move into your new home this box will contain items such as alarm clocks, bedding, pillows, towels, silverware, etc...

• Obtain all medical records from you doctor, dentist and veterinarian.

• Plan your grocery shopping to include as little as possible in the refrigerator and freezer by the time your moving day comes.  Use up all frozen items in your freezer and buy only what is necessary for the next three weeks.

• Arrange to have your new home cleaned.

• Have your children's school records transferred to the new school district.

• Now is the time to have a moving sale, if you planned on it.

Two Weeks Prior To Moving

• Make arrangements to have your pets and any house plants transported.

• Meet with your bank manager to have your account status changed.

• Transfer all drug prescriptions to a pharmacy or drug store in your new town.

• Cancel all delivery services such as newspapers.  

• Have a mechanic look over your automobile if you are traveling by car to check all hoses, belts, tires, etc...

One Week Prior To Moving

• Cut and maintain the yard for the last time.

• Double check with all utilities to make sure of start and stop dates.

• Pack a "Moving Kit" to include necessary items that are not to go into the moving van such as: medications, checkbook, cash or travelers checks, first aid kit, paper plates, car games, light bulbs, flashlight, toilet paper, pet food, baby items, canned goods, plastic silverware, can opener, snacks, bottled water, styrofoam cups, towels, wash cloths, identification, credit cards, batteries, keys for both old and new home, fuses, screwdriver, pliers, wrench and hammer.

• Arrange for a baby sitter to watch your young children on moving day since you will be very occupied.

• Pay any outstanding bills.

A Day Or Two Prior To Moving

• Clean and disinfect refrigerator. 

• Empty safe deposit box.

• Give the moving company your cellular phone number so that contact can  be made while in transit. 

• Leave the occupants of your old home your forwarding address and phone number.

Moving Day

• Review all details and paperwork with the movers.  Accompany the van operator to take inventory of your belongings.

• Give the home a final cleaning or arranged to have it cleaned after the moving company leaves.

Move In Day

• If you arrive before the movers do, unpack your car and give the home a quick clean up.

• Check to make sure all utilities have been connected and follow up with any that are still off or have been shut off.

• Have all pets placed in a room that is "out of the way" of the movers.

• Be prepared to pay the moving van before unloading.

• Have someone, or yourself, check the inventory sheets as the items are being unloaded.  Someone else should direct the movers where to place the items being unloaded.