ONE MONTH BEFORE:
- Hire Mover
- Write and stamp Change of Address cards for Friends/Family (you should mail these a week before the move)
- Start purging and packing
- Use up the food in your refrigerator/freezer/pantry so you don’t need to move it all
- Obtain measurements for your new home – plan furniture placement
- Take photos of your belongings (in case items are lost or damaged in the move)
- Make sure all of your important paperwork is gathered in one place; move in the car with you the day of the move
- Request the day of the move off of work
ONE WEEK BEFORE
- Schedule your address change with the post office: http://www.usps.com/move (this change can take 2 weeks – plan accordingly)
- Make a Survival Kit of things you will need the last day in your current home/first day in your new home – move these in your car the day of the move for quick access
– Toilet Paper, Paper Towels, soap, alarm clock/radio, few changes of clothing, toiletries, small tool kit, trash bags, scissors, medications, water, pet food/bowls; phone charger, tape, aspirin - If your new home doesn’t have blinds, bring a few sheets and thumbtacks so you will have privacy until you can install permanent window coverings
- Mark all boxes with destination room for the new home
- Notify Employer’s HR Dept, Banks, Magazines, Credit Card Cos, Cell Phone Co, Insurance Co, Catalog Cos, IRS, etc of new address
- Mail your Change of Address cards to friends and family
- Cancel/Reschedule Newspaper, Security Company, Pest Control, Lawn Maintenance
- Schedule Disconnects of Utilities: Water, Electric, Home Phone, Cable
- Fill out applications for new utilities
- Electricity
- Cable/Internet/Phone
- Water
- Ensure new home has proper garbage cans, if not order
- Start cleaning any rooms you can empty
- Confirm moving date/time with moving company
- Plan for the cleaning of new/old home
- Dispose of paint, oil, weed cleaners; remove gas out of mowers
- Discard of propane tank from grills
- Clean outdoor furniture
WEEK OF THE MOVE
- Finish Packing (if you are packing yourself)
- Clean your stove/microwave
Get Cash to tip the movers
DAY BEFORE THE MOVE
- Clean the refrigerator, defrost and dry
- Finish last minute packing
- Clean as much of the house as you can
- Say goodbye to your neighbors
DAY OF THE MOVE
- Transfer Water & Electric
- Secure your pets in a closed room (or at a friend’s house) so they don’t get out during the move
- Put your suitcase and “moving survival kit” in your car so it doesn’t accidentally get packed on the moving truck
- Put your cell phone and keys in a safe spot so they aren’t accidentally packed
Be prepared to move cleaning supplies in your personal car: many moving companies will not move chemicals - Secure important paperwork in your car – make sure it’s locked!
- Make sure the home you are moving out of and are moving into are cleaned
- Do a final walkthrough of your old home: closets, drawers, cabinets, garage, attic, plant ledges, mailbox
- Have the locks on your new home changed
WEEK AFTER THE MOVE
- Ensure your sprinkler system is set to the correct watering days/time
- Apply for Homestead Exemption
MONTH AFTER THE MOVE
- Do a trial run with your hurricane shutters to make sure you have all needed supplies