Plan And Prepare For Your Move

Planning is an important factor in making your move a success. The moving process can be full of many twists and turns. The timing of your move depends on such factors as the selling of your current home and the purchasing of your new home. Once you have the “where” in your moving process, you can work on the “when”, “how” and preparations for the actual move day.

When will you move?
Put together a general timeline/plan of when you will be moving. Dates may change, but your to-do list will remain the same. Adjustments are easy when you have a good plan. Once the house has a contract and you have a closing date on the new home, adjust and finalize your timeline to accommodate.

How will you move?
Will you be doing a self-haul move? Or hiring professional movers? The following questions will help you decide the method of transportation to use for hauling your belongings:

1. How much is your budget for the move? You may want a professional mover to survey your goods and provide an estimate.
2. How do I find a dependable mover?
3. How do I contact a truck rental agency?
4. What is the cost to rent a truck?
5. How much time do you have to pack, load, drive, unload and unpack your goods? What is your work schedule?
6. How much strength and endurance do you have to move your household goods?
7. Who will be helping at the origin and destination to load and unload your items? Many pieces of furniture cannot be move with just two people.
8. What is the coverage of your household goods? Does your home owner’s policy cover any damage to your belongings or to your residence due to the moving process?
9. Will you be packing yourself?

Preparing Records, Valuables and Notifications
Gather all your records, valuables and notifications and store them in a safe secure place. Do not pack these items with the rest of your household goods. They need to be secure yet easily accessible to you. You will need to complete notifications at origin and destination – so keep all contact numbers near by.

Records & Valuables

* Family medical and dental records
* Veterinarian records
* Tax records
* Passports
* Photo albums
* Recent pay stubs and bank statements
* Diplomas and school records
* Address Book
* Birth Certificates
* Marriage License
* Religious records
* Stocks, bonds, and mutual funds
* Auto payment book – lease agreement
* Jewelry
* Family genealogies
* Memorabilia and Collections
* Real Estate records
* Insurance records
* Business and social affiliation records
* Cash
* Items with significant sentimental value

Notifications & Contact Information
You will want to make sure you have canceled the following services at origin and prepared to start the same services at your new destination. It is helpful to have all of the contact information in one central location.

* Postal Service - change of address for any bills or other mailing.
* Electric Power Company
* Water Company
* Local Telephone Company
* Long Distance Telephone Company
* Cable & Satellite Company
* Natural Gas Supplier – Oil / Propane
* Insurance Agent
* Trash
* Newspaper
* Lawn Service
* Pool Service
* Cleaning Service
* Pharmacy
* Dry Cleaner
* Health Club
* Sports, Social Organizations and Clubs
* Magazine, Book or Music Clubs
* Church
* Bank
* Doctor, Dentist and Veterinarian
* Schools
* Child Care Facilities or Babysitters

Auto Registration
You will want to check for procedures with the Motor Vehicles Department of the state you are moving to http://www.dmv.org/. You can research policies, procedures, locations and emissions online or by phone. This will make the transition a bit easier and lessen the chance of any surprises.

Yard Garage Sales
Garage sales are great way to lessen the burden of moving unwanted items. It motivates you to clean out and prepare your household goods for shipment. Remember to check the attic, basements, storage units or the storage closets for items that you can get rid off.

Charitable Organizations
Remember when cleaning out your residence you can always donate items that you no longer need to an organization that will use them.

http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn.nsf
http://www.goodwill.org

Relocation Kit
You will want to create a kit of goodies. Fill a box with all the useful items you will need until you leave your current home and most likely, the first items you’ll need at destination. During the move process clearly mark this box as last to load and open first.

* First Aid Kit
* Snacks
* Screw driver
* Pliers
* Hammer
* Various nails & screws
* Trash bags
* Light bulbs
* Flashlight
* Batteries
* Soap
* Tooth brushes and tooth paste
* Bath towels & wash cloths
* Toilet paper
* Paper towels
* Facial tissues
* Deck of cards
* Paper and pens
* Telephone (land line)

Moving day can be hard on a child. Not only are they leaving their current home for a new one, but with the commotion of everything going on, it can be difficult to keep them occupied. If they are not in school, you may want to look into having them go to friend’s or family member’s house to be entertained. It is also a good idea to keep entertainment items available for them.

* Travel Board games
* Deck of cards
* Coloring books
* Books
* Portable disc man or dvd player
* Favorite stuffed animal
* Dolls and action figures

Infant Necessities
When relocating with an infant it is important to keep necessary items handy.

* Stroller
* Car Seat
* Diaper Bag
* Blanket
* Plenty of Diapers
* Extra Clothing
* Toys
* Baby Toiletries – lotions, wipes, and powder
* Bottles
* Food

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