| 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/videos 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 (insurance, medical, legal, financial); move in the car with you the day of the move |
| Remove all artwork from the walls/patch holes |
| Request the day of the move off of work |
| ONE WEEK BEFORE |
| Schedule your address change with the post office: 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, towels, 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, banks 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, Water, Cable, Internet, Home Phone |
| 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 |
| Clean outdoor furniture |
| WEEK OF THE MOVE |
| Finish Packing (if you are packing yourself) |
| Clean your stove/microwave/dishwasher |
| Get cash to tip the movers |
| DAY BEFORE THE MOVE |
| Clean the refrigerator, defrost and dry |
| Finish last minute packing |
| Clean the home or schedule movers to come in |
| 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 |
| Make sure all windows are locked in your new home |
| Have the locks on your new home changed |
| Reprogram garage door opener |
| Ensure your sprinkler system is set to the correct watering days/time |
| MONTH AFTER THE MOVE |
| Do a trial run with your hurricane shutters to make sure you have all needed supplies |
| Apply for Homestead Exemption if this is your primary residence: Homestead Application | Lee County Property Appraiser (leepa.org) |
Paradise Awaits