The Ultimate Moving Checklist

When the purchase agreement is executed:

• Decide how you will move: Full-service movers, part service movers, or self-moving.
• Request change of address from the post office and mail forwarding.
• If full/part service movers, schedule in-home estimates for movers.
• Request time off for the moving day.
• Start interviewing schools for kids.
• Request transcript transfers.
• Start selling/donating the things you don’t want to take to your new home.
• Start collecting free boxes from restaurants, grocery, and liquor stores.
• Start using food from your freezer.
• Give landlord notice.

3 weeks before your move:

• Color code and label your boxes with the room, and if items are fragile.
• Create an inventory sheet of valuable items.
• Take photos of electronic hookups (tv, dvd, game systems, etc.).
• Start packing a little every day.
• If you need to unassemble something that needs to be re-assembled, take pictures of each stage and put any hardware all together in a labeled baggie.
• Confirm parking options for the moving truck if necessary.
• Gather important documents and put them in a pouch to take with you on moving day.
• Find landscaping/gardening/snow removal services in your new neighborhood.
• Recycle or dispose of corrosive and hazardous materials.

2 weeks before your move:

• Return any library books and any rented items.
• Pick Up any clothes at the dry cleaner.
• Find a new doctor/dentist/vet, etc., in a new neighborhood.
• Update your voter registration.
• Transfer/cancel utilities (electric, water, sewer, trash, cable, phone, gas).
• Update pet ID tags.

1 week before your move:

• Backup your computer.
• Fill any prescriptions/transfer prescriptions to a new pharmacy.
• Arrange a babysitter for moving day.
• Arrange pet sitting for moving day.
• Send out your “we’ve moved!” announcement.
• Change your address with loan providers, credit cards, banks, and payroll dept at work.
• Order new checks.
• Change address with government entities: social security, IRS, Dept of Veteran’s Affairs.
• Change address for auto insurance and car registration.
• Update your address with Amazon and other online services/monthly subscription boxes.
• Update your driver’s license.