3 MONTHS PRIOR TO MOVE

• Study company relocation policy to see what expenses are covered and which vendors are approved
• Check which moving expenses will be tax deductible
• Find out about schools in your new city
• Obtain information about your new city
• Find a REALTOR to market your home
• Estimate moving van costs
• Find a REALTOR in your new city

2 MONTHS PRIOR TO MOVE

• Estimate the amount you can spend on a house
• Check out the different resources available for your mortgage
• If you will need child care in your new location, start looking into this now
• Choose the van line for your move
• Update your address book of friends and relatives
• Make a list of people you need to notify
• Begin sorting out those items you do not plan to move
• Plan a date for a garage sale
• Choose a new house
• Look into auto insurance in your new city
• Arrange house financing and set tentative closing dates
• Check school schedules and enrollment requirements
• Obtain information from area religious institutions
• Check how to obtain new driver’s licenses, license plates
• Contact an agent for new home and auto insurance
• Select a new bank, establish accounts and safe deposit box
• Plan how you will arrange furniture in your new residence and make a list of things you will need to buy
• Obtain names, phone numbers and requirements (such as deposits) for utility companies
• Arrange for transfer of school records
• Schedule pickup and delivery dates with your mover and arrange storage, if needed
• Sort belongings into those you will dispose of, take with you and ship with mover
• For high value items you will be shipping, obtain an appraisal and gather receipts
• Make your travel arrangements

1 MONTH PRIOR TO MOVE

• Hold your garage sale, give items to charity
• Verify your schedules with real estate agents, landlords and arrange interim housing if needed
• Reconfirm with your mover dates for packing, pickup and delivery
• Send out change of address cards to post office, friends, relatives, magazines
• Gather personal records from doctors, dentists, lawyers, accountants, schools, religious institutions
• Notify current utilities-gas, phone, electric, water, cable TV-of disconnect dates and forwarding address
• Contact new utilities to tell them when to commence service
• Notify your credit card companies of change of address
• Apply for new bank cards and local store charge accounts
• Plan where to spend your last night in current city
• Transfer bank accounts and safe deposit box
• Notify your stock broker or investment counselor
• Obtain veterinary records and licenses, get new tags if needed and arrange for pets’ transportation
• Drain oil and gas from your power equipment
• Cancel deliveries and services, such as newspapers, diaper service and trash collection as of moving day
• Arrange for someone to help watch children and pets on moving day
• Order newspaper subscription for your new address
• Defrost freezer. Get rid of perishable food you won’t eat before moving
• Give your plants a loving home
• If you are driving, have your car serviced
• Pack your luggage and anything you are taking with you
• Use only those household items you absolutely need-everything else should be ready to go
• Obtain traveler’s checks for trip expenses and payment to movers
• Before movers leave, check through the house including the attic to make sure nothing was missed

MOVING DAY AND BEYOND

• Prepare for the movers by taking doors off hinges and making sure paths are clear
• Be on hand to take delivery
• Check each item off your inventory
• Inspect your yard for any holes in the fence, etc. before letting the pets out
• Test security and smoke alarms
• Get local emergency numbers and post them
• Recycle or store moving boxes
• Get a professional to set up appliances like a gas dryer, range or refrigerator
• Change locks on all doors
• Set up cable or satellite service
• Find the right cellular phone service
• Get a local map and learn your way around
• Send in claims for damages during the move
• Submit moving expenses to your employer
• Compile receipts of the move for tax purposes
• Hang artwork
• Go to the DMV for new plates and registration of your vehicles
• Get a new propane tank for the grill and fuel for the gas powered tools
• Check your home warranty coverage
• Establish a file for all warranties
• Keep a binder of all Real Estate documents
• Enroll children in school
• Buy new plants and flowers
• Find a new veterinarian, doctor and dentist
• Take road trips and learn about you state