Moving

Here is a helpful moving event planner to assist you in planning your move.

You may also download various helpful moving checklists at the following Microsoft website.

Eight Weeks Before Moving

• Choose a mover or truck rental company.
• Get a few estimates from moving companies.
• Get costs from at least two truck rental companies.
• Keep track of estimates, receipts and other important information.
• Make an inventory of your household goods and begin to remove clutter.
• Create a floor plan of your new home for furniture and appliance placement.
• Start deciding which function each room will serve.
• Start researching your new community.

Seven Weeks Before Moving

• Arrange for school, veterinarian, medical and dental records to be transferred.
• Get copies of any legal and financial records you need.
• Call your insurance agent to see what changes to expect in your policies.
• Contact organizations you have joined to ask how you can end or transfer your membership.

Six Weeks Before Moving

• Have antiques, pieces of art, and other valuables appraised.
• Make a list of things that are difficult to replace for shipping them.
• Make a list of friends, relatives and businesses who need to be notified of your move.
• Obtain and fill out post office change-of-address cards.
• Take inventory and decide what to get rid of.
• Start planning a yard sale or contact your local charities.
• Subscribe to the newspaper in your new hometown.
• Make arrangements for storage if necessary.
• Start using foods and cleaning supplies that cannot be moved.
• Clean all closets and drawers.

Five Weeks Before Moving

• Advertise and host your garage sale.
• Start collecting boxes and other packing supplies.
• Start packing items you don't use often.
• Plan ahead for parking.
• Plan for short-term or long-term storage at destination if needed.

Four Weeks Before Moving

• Call your newspaper courier and set a date to cancel your subscription.
• Arrange for cleaning and repair of furniture, drapes, and carpeting.
• Arrange for special transportation of your pets and plants if necessary.
• Check to see if you need any moving permits.
• Set up a chequing account in your new city.
• Check into the laws and requirements of your new city regarding home-based businesses, professional tests, business licenses and any special laws that might be applicable to you.
• Take pictures or video tape your belongings.
• Record serial numbers of electronic equipment.

Three Weeks Before Moving

• Make sure all library books have been returned and all dry cleaning or items out for repair have been picked up.
• Retrieve any items out on loan.
• Contact your utility companies on both ends of the move to order dates for termination or turn-on.
• Decide if you will keep your plants or give them away.
• Dispose of flammables, corrosives and poisons.
• Have your automobile(s) serviced.
• If you're moving from a warm climate to a cold one, check your antifreeze.
• If you are moving into or out of an apartment, arrange to use the elevator on your move day.
• Prepare auto registration for transfer.
• Make child-care arrangements for moving day.
• Hold your moving sale.

Two Weeks Before Moving

• Arrange for disposal of anything not sold at your moving sale.
• Contact your bank and/or credit union to transfer or close accounts.
• Clear out safety deposit boxes.
• Pick up traveler's checks or cash for "on the road" expenses.
• Confirm parking for your trailer.
• Notify any creditors of your move.
• Plan meals for the last week of the move to help empty the refrigerator and avoid using appliances that will already be packed.
• Assemble a folder of important information about the house for the new owner of your home.
• Pick up laundry.

One Week Before Moving

• Arrange for help on moving day.
• Close bank accounts and have your funds wired to your new bank.
• Obtain cash or traveler's checks for the trip and to pay the movers.
• Confirm travel reservations.
• Drain all gas and oil from your mower and other motors.
• Clean rugs and clothing and have them wrapped for moving.
• Drain water hoses and waterbed.
• Empty, defrost and clean your refrigerator.
• Notify friends and family of your new address and phone number.
• Inform electric, disposal, water, ...