Make Your Own Moving Home Checklist

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Make Your Own Moving Home Checklist

Staff Writer · Sep 29, 2009

When you are moving out of your home, you really need to be organized. Some like the ease of electronic devices, like Blackberrys or PDAs, for organizing information reminders. While others prefer good old paper lists conveniently hung on their refrigerators.

Decide What Type of List Works Best for You

To create a moving checklist, choose from spreadsheets, simple bulleted lists or calendar-style pages. Calendar checklists are ideal for writing notes into each date box. Use a pencil so you can make corrections easily.

Break your checklist down by priority level with the most time-sensitive items first.

Select and Coordinate with a Moving Company 

  • Eight weeks before your projected relocation date, contact a moving company.
  • Shop around for the best prices and the most reliable companies.
  • Get a few referrals for home movers from your Realtor or a professional associate.
  • Call the moving agent and setup a time for a preliminary walk through of your home. At this meeting, they will scan your living space and give you an estimate.
  • Show the agent all the items that you need moved. If you add items later, the moving costs will increase. 
  • Decide if you want to pack all your belongings yourself or enlist the moving personnel to perform this task. Find out what they charge and what their process includes.
  • Review any legal documentation, such as rights and responsibilities manuals or liability forms and make sure you understand them.
  • If your employer is relocating you, go over the moving policies. Review what services you are entitled.

Checklist: 4 to 6 Weeks Before Moving

  • Eliminate anything you don’t want or need. Donate clothing and other items to charitable organizations or thrift stores.
  • Have a tag or yard sale.
  • Lighten your load. Use up as much food and canned goods as you can before the move. This will help contain your costs, as well as how much you have to move.
  • Get a change of address form at the United States Postal Service website.
  • Send out a personal change of address form to family, friends, business associates, medical professionals, and any other relevant people. Make your own change of address postcards on your computer. You may also order these via a local copy center or an online site.
  • Have new return address labels printed.
  • Prepare to have your utilities canceled, such as phone, cable and electric.
  • Decide if you want to leave a forwarding phone number on your old line. Most telephone carriers will give you a certain number of weeks with a forwarding message on your old line.
  • Find out if you can keep the same online service at your new location. If not, cancel your ISP (Internet Service Provider) and get a new one. Most online companies will let you set the exact date for cancellation.
  • Send out a bulk email with your new email address.

Two Weeks Before Moving Day 

  • Follow up with your moving company to confirm the date and time.
  • Inform the agent about any additions or subtractions to your moving boxes and household items.
  • Communicate any new contact numbers you may have with your moving agent.
  • Call your new landlord to confirm your arrival and details about the move.

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