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For information to help
you get settled in your new home visit:
http://www.talktopenny.com/links.asp
Moving Checklist |
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Moving, whether across town or
across the country, is a huge and often overwhelming ordeal
that involves much more than just packing. To help make your
move less chaotic and more manageable, use the following checklists: |
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| Eight Weeks
Before |
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- Remove unnecessary items from your attic,
basement, storage shed, etc.
- Use things you can't move, such as frozen
foods and cleaning supplies.
- Secure a floor plan of your new residence
and decide what household items you want to keep.
- Start a possessions inventory.
- Solicit estimates from at least three
moving companies.
- Call your homeowners insurance agent to
find out to what degree your move is covered.
- Create a file for documenting all moving
papers and receipts.
- Arrange to transfer your children’s
school records.
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| Six Weeks
Before |
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- Evaluate your possessions inventory. Can you donate
anything? Do you need it all?
- Notify your friends, relatives, professionals, creditors,
subscriptions, etc.
- Subscribe to a local paper in your new community and
familiarize yourself with local government, community,
and social news and activities.
- Begin the off-site storage process (if applicable).
- Locate high-quality health-care professionals and hospitals
in your new location.
- Complete a change of address via post-office cards for
the following:
- Banks;
- Charge cards;
- Religious organizations;
- Doctors/dentist;
- Relatives and friends;
- Insurance broker/lawyer/CPA/ stockbroker;
- Magazines;
- Post office; and
- Schools.
- Clean your closets.
- Hold a moving/garage sale or donate items to charities.
- Choose a mover.
- Contact your mover to make arrangements and inquire
about insurance coverage.
- If relocating due to a job, contact your employer to
see what costs, if any, they will cover.
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| Four Weeks
Before |
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- Start packing!
- Send furniture, drapes and carpets for repair/cleaning
as needed.
- Gather auto licensing and registration documents, medical,
dental and school records, birth certificates, wills,
deeds, stock and other financial documentation, etc.
- Contact gas, electric, oil, water, telephone, cable
TV etc., for service disconnect/connect at your old and
new addresses. Also ask for final readings.
- Request refunds on unused homeowner’s insurance,
security deposit with landlord, and prepaid cable service.
- Notify your gardener, snow removal service, and pool
service (if applicable).
- Contact insurance companies (auto, homeowner's, medical,
and life) to arrange for coverage in your new home.
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| Three Weeks
Before |
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- Make your travel plans.
- Arrange to close current bank accounts and open accounts
in your new locale (if necessary).
- Notify your Motor Vehicle Registration service of your
new address.
- Arrange for childcare on moving day.
NOTE: For apartment dwellers, reserve the elevator for
pickup and/or delivery dates.
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| Two Weeks
Before |
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- Arrange special transport for your pets and plants.
- Service your car for the trip.
- Contact your moving company and review arrangements
for your move.
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| One Week
Before |
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- Prepare detailed directions and an itinerary with emergency
numbers for your moving company.
- Settle outstanding bills with local retailers. Pick
up dry cleaning, and return library books and rented videotapes.
- Take pets to the veterinarian and get copies of their
records.
- Drain gas and oil from power equipment.
- Give away plants not being moved.
- Cancel newspaper delivery.
- Buy two-weeks worth of medication and have your prescriptions
forwarded to your new pharmacy.
- Buy traveler's checks.
- Make arrangements to pay for your move.
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| Two-to-Three
Days Before |
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- If you’re not doing it yourself, have your mover
pack.
- Defrost refrigerators and freezers.
- Consider gathering all valuables and giving them to
family or friends to hold until the move is completed.
- Disconnect all major appliances.
- Contact your moving company for any updates.
- Pack first-night items and a survival kit. Keep them
in separate boxes in your car.
- First Night Items: Sheets, Towels, Toiletries, Phone,
Alarm Clock, Change of Clothes, and Flashlight.
- Mover's Survival Kit: Scissors, utility knife, coffee
cups, instant coffee/tea or a coffee maker, water and
soft drinks, snacks, paper plates, plastic utensils, paper
towels, toilet paper, soap, pencils and paper, local phone
book, masking and/or duct tape, trash bags, shelf liner,
and aspirin or ibuprofen.
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| Moving
Day |
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- Be home to answer any questions your mover may have.
- Record all utility meter readings (gas, electric, and
water).
- Stay until your movers are finished.
- Complete information on the bill of lading and carefully
read the document and the inventory sheet before signing
it.
- Keep your copies of the bill of lading and inventory
until your possessions are delivered, the charges are
paid, and any claims are settled.
- Take one final look around to see if you forgot anything.
- Give movers the directions to your new home, and an
emergency number where you can be reached during the move.
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| At
Destination |
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- Unpack first-night items and mover's survival kit.
- Be at the destination to welcome the movers and be on
hand to answer any questions.
- After the job is completed, pay what is owed.
- Scrutinize the unloading of your items and account for
each one on your inventory sheet. Check promptly and carefully
for any damaged or missing items.
- Place moving and other important documents in a safe
place
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