Reduce moving stress with a helpful checklist

Moving on to bigger and better things or just to a new location?  Either way, moving can be stressful. There are millions of things to do, too many things to pack, too many arrangements to make, and too few hours in the day and days in the week before moving day arrives. We think this checklist can give you a head start and help ensure a smooth and problem-free move.

1. Clean up & clear out. It’s tempting to throw everything into boxes and plan to sort it all out in your new place. But each box moved is time (probably yours) and money (paid to a moving firm). Sort, donate or have a sale before you move to get rid of what you don’t need.
2. Change your address Ask for a final bill or statement if cancelling any services so you can pay them off & avoid impacting your credit rating
   1. Post Office Provide at least 10 days to redirect mail to a new address
   1. Utilities Gas & electric, landline phone, cable TV /internet, sewer, garbage collection, water service & more should be cancelled or transferred to your new location 
   1. Magazine and newspaper subscriptions  Easier than ever to update your information online
   1. Finance, insurance, loans, credit, bank, medical providers and other accounts   Notify anyone likely to send you a bill or invoice so you get bills on time and you can continue to make payments on time
   1. Government offices  Don’t forget to get hold of your City/County Tax Assessor, State Vehicle Registration, Social Security Administration, State/Federal Tax Bureau (IRS), Veterans Administration as necessary
   1. Friends & family  So easy to stay in touch with social media these days, but don’t forget to let them know of your actual new address

• Select a moving company  Get recommendations & request estimates so you can budget for your move

• Medical records & prescriptions Request copies from doctors & veterinarians or arrange to have them transferred to new providers IF you are moving too far away to stay with all the same offices

• School records Request copies or transfers if you have kids who will be going to a new school/district

• Insurance  Notify your insurance agent & arrange to transfer or write new car & home insurance

• Memberships  Contact health clubs & other organizations to cancel or transfer memberships if you’ll need to find new ones closer to your new home

• Moving logistics
  • Set a moving date
  • Order moving boxes & supplies
  • Measure doors & floors in your new location to ensure furniture will fit through entrances and you’re your new rooms
  • Plan transport for plants, pets and any items too fragile to trust to trust to a moving van or the back of a friend’s pick-up truck

• Moving preparation
  • Pack seldom used items first. Pack items you use every day closer to moving day
  • Clearly label boxes with their content & destination room
  • Dispose of flammables, corrosives, poisons & other items that moving companies will not transport
  • Drain gas & oil from lawn equipment, gas grills, heaters; drain water from hoses
  • Empty/defrost refrigerators & freezers at least 24 hours before moving day
  • Confirm moving day, time and other logistics with your mover

1. Clean up  Leave the home you’re vacating as clean as you hope to find your new home

Last but not least, create and leave a folder or binder of important information for the next owner. From appliance warranties to garbage pickup days, whoever moves in after you leave will appreciate knowing how old appliances and utilities are, when they were last serviced and by who, local utility information and contacts, etc.