COUNTDOWN TO MOVING DAY

8 weeks before moving day

• Obtain a floor plan of your new residence and decide which items you want to keep
• Begin an inventory of all household goods
• Solicit estimates from several moving companies
• Contact your insurance company and enquire about your homeowner's policy to determine if your goods are covered while moving
• Establish special files for all moving papers and receipts
• Choose a mover

6 weeks before you move

• Fill out Post Office change of address cards
• Begin to send your new address to insurance agents, credit card companies, magazine subscriptions, friends, relatives etc
• Clean out house and dispose of all items you will not be taking with you - donate these items to charity or hold a garage sale

4 weeks before you move

• START PACKING!
• If your mover is doing the packing arrange for it to be done 2 or 3 days before loading day
• Send furniture, drapes and carpets for repair or cleaning
• Begin to use up overstocks of staple foods
• Gather valuable personal papers including medical and dental records, school records, birth certificates etc
• Make travel plans and secure temporary accommodation if needed

3 weeks before you move

• Arrange to have utilities like gas and electricity disconnected in your current home and connected in your new home
• Ready car registration for transfer
• Notify State Motor Vehicle Bureau of your new address

2 weeks before you move

• Arrange to move pets
• Dispose of all items too dangerous to move, such as flammable liquids
• Have your automobile serviced if needed to prepare for the move

1 week before you move

• Transfer all bank accounts
• Cancel newspaper delivery
• Have prescriptions for medication forwarded to a pharmacy in your new neighbourhood
• Withdraw items and close safety deposit boxes

2 days before you move

• Have your mover pack your goods if you are not packing them yourself
• Defrost and dry refrigerators and freezers
• Set aside valuable items that you will carry with you during the move, such as jewellery, documents, money and other valuables.

Moving Day

• Be on hand to answer questions and give directions to movers and stay until they are finished
• Accompany driver for inventory of your household goods
• Complete information on bill of lading and carefully read the document before you sign it
• Take one final look at the house before the van leaves to make sure nothing has been left behind
• Notify the driver and the van line where you can be reached during the move

Delivery Day

• Be on hand to answer questions and give directions
• You must pay the driver before your good can be unloaded. This is a federal requirement for interstate moves
• Supervise unloading and unpacking
• Check carefully for any damaged or missing items
• Note on the inventory any damaged items before you sign anything