Two Months Before the Move

If you start planning in advance, the move into your new home will go smoothly. Begin two months before the big day, do a little each day, and the tasks will be spread over a manageable period. You’ll have time to solve any problems that might arise.

Start a moving journal in a notebook, binder or computer file where you keep lists of things to do, people to contact and any pertinent information.
Inventory the contents of each room in your journal. You will need this to help with the mover’s estimate.
Decide how to move your vehicles. Most moving companies will carry them, but you might want to turn driving your vehicles to your new home into a road trip.
Call at least three professional movers or truck rental companies for estimates. Ask about insurance and the claims procedure. Be specific about your moving date and ask for a delivery date. Record this information in your moving journal. In addition to the costs, ask about services, guarantees and insurance.
If you’re moving yourself, collect boxes and packing materials. Include a few broad felt-tip markers. If you are really into organization, use a different color to label boxes that go in different rooms.
Go through every room and get rid of items you don’t want to take with you. Have a yard sale or call a local charity to pick them up. Keep donation records for tax purposes. Don’t take broken items with you. If you haven’t repaired them by now, you probably won’t do it after the move.

If you’re expecting movers to pack for you, be prepared. They’ll go through your house like a whirlwind, wrapping and packing everything in sight. After they’ve gone, you’ll wonder what happened to the lamp you planned to give the neighbors and the books you were going to return to the library.

One Month Before the Move

Arrange for your pets. If you’re flying to your new home while your possessions go by moving van, call the airlines to find out their restrictions for transporting pets.
Depending on your pets and the situation, it might be a good idea to make reservations for them at a kennel or with a sitter for a day or two at each end of the move.
Get your pets’ shots up-to-date. If you have not kept their medical files, ask the veterinarian for copies of the clinic files.
If you are moving curtains, drapes, rugs and furniture, have them cleaned and repaired.
Use up the food stored in the pantry and freezer. You can take non-perishables with you, but it is easier to stock up on staples after the move — and it gets you acquainted with the neighborhood merchants.
As soon as you’ve decided on a moving company, call them and agree on the date of the move.
Request records from medical and legal professionals or ask to have them transferred. If you have children, ask to have their school records transferred.
Start the change-of-address procedure. The post office offers a free change-of-address kit. To relieve the tedium, take a week to fill out the cards.
Find out how much of your moving expenses you can deduct from taxes. Put all your receipts in one place and be sure each one is readable.
If this is a do-it-yourself move, pack items you won’t immediately need: winter clothes, books, holiday decorations, extra linens and blankets. Label the boxes and list the contents. Be careful not to make the boxes too heavy, especially ones that contain books.
Cancel your telephone and utilities. Arrange to have phones installed and utilities turned on in your new home the day before you’re due to arrive. Inform your telephone company which long-distance carrier you’ll sign up with. Get the names of the contacts in each office you call, so if there are any mix-ups, you’ll be able to speak with or refer to that contact.
Through your bank, transfer your bank accounts and, if you are closing accounts, cancel automatic payments and direct deposits.
If this is a long-distance move, it might be helpful to reserve a hotel room at your new location until your belongings arrive. Think of your hotel stay as a deserved vacation rather than an inconvenience.

Week of the Move

The week before the move, drain oil and gas from lawn-care equipment and power tools.
Pack a box of items you’ll need the first night in your new home: sheets, blankets, towels, a flashlight, lightbulbs, plastic or paper cups, paper towels, and toilet paper. Mark the box to distinguish it easily from the others.
Be sure you have funds available to pay the movers at the delivery site and for any expenses that will come up until you can get to the bank and access your accounts.
Two days before the move, defrost your refrigerator and freezer.
Pay a last visit to your neighbors and give them any plants or food you can’t take with you.
The day before the move, pack items you want to carry with you and put them aside (or better still, leave them with a neighbor to prevent someone from loading them in the moving van). Include at least one change of clothes, bath and cosmetic articles, current medications, health records, jewelry, legal and property documents, and other valuables.
Before the movers leave, do a walk-through inspection of your empty house. Lock the doors and windows. Check the closets, cupboards, attic, basement, storage rooms, garage and shed.
Keep the loading papers, called bills of lading, with the other documents that you carry with you.
When the moving van arrives, be at the new house ready to pay the movers. They won’t begin unloading until they get their money.
As your belongings are being unloaded, check them against the loading documents, and keep those documents until you have inspected all items and all claims are settled.

Find the carton you packed with sheets and towels, make up the beds, take showers, and rest well on the first night in your new home.