Two Weeks Before Moving

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Start a new bank account in your new town.

  Transfer account from current bank?

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Contact your children’s new school and notify them of your upcoming move to their area.

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Contact the Chamber of Commerce in your new town. Request a relocation package.

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Pack your vital documents in one place:

  Passports

  Mortgage records

  Marriage license

  Birth certificates

  Vehicle titles

  Stock certificates

  Insurance papers

  Bank records

  School records

  Medical records

  Tax records

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Make arrangements to disconnect your utilities.  Get refunds for any deposits made.  Have meters read. Give new address for them to send their final bill:

  Cable - return box if necessary

  Electric

  Gas

  Internet access

  Telephone

  Water

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Make arrangements to connect utilities at your new residence.  A helpful website to do this is https://www.whitefence.com/

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Make arrangements for cleaning

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Inquire about your new state's auto licensing procedure and auto insurance rates.

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Check with your insurance company about transferring coverage to your new home.

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Arrange to have a sitter watch your children at their house on moving day.

One Week Before Moving

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Dispose or drain any flammable items:

  Lawn mower gas

  Snow blower gas

  Paint

  Aerosol cans

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Plan what goes in the car with you:

  Toys and games for kids

  Special breakable items or collections

  Important documents and records

  Change of clothes and toiletries for your first day

  Vacuum cleaner - if you want to clean right away

  Toilet paper

  First aid kit

  Food kit with bottled water, cereal, bananas

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Make travel arrangements for your pets and plants.

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Purchase moving insurance if you have valuable antiques and collections.

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Have your car tuned up.

The Day Before Moving

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Defrost, clean and air out your refrigerator.

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Make sure you have payment ready for the mover - they will not unpack without a check. Check your moving company's payment policies.

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Purchase traveler's checks for other possible expenses.

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Pack your former town's phone book for future correspondence.

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Get a simple breakfast ready for the next morning.

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Pick up ice and beverages for moving day.

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Take down curtains and curtain rods.

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Get a good night's sleep

Moving Day

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Strip your beds.

  Moving company - will they disassemble?

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Show movers around. Make sure your possessions to be moved are inventoried with them.

  Write "subject to further inspection for concealed loss or damage" on contract when you sign to protect yourself should you find damage while unpacking.

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Get all keys together. Put in a safe spot.

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Make sure moving van driver has correct address, phone number and directions. Confirm delivery date with him.

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Check all rooms one last time. Remember closets and cupboards, basement and garage! Make sure all windows and doors are locked.

After Moving

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Explore your new neighborhood. Locate the nearest convenience and hardware store, pharmacy, supermarket, video rental, school and library, etc.

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Check smoke alarm, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguisher.

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If necessary, install a new door lock and/or dead-bolt.

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Update your address information if you haven't done so (driver's license, car registrations, insurance, credit cards, bank accounts, voter registration).

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Call the Internal Revenue Service to change your address. You can also visit the IRS online at www.irs.gov.