Moving Checklist

With any big event in life, it’s best to start preparing early.  However, we understand that when it comes to moving, that isn’t always possible.  Whether you have months or days, there a lot of things you will need to remember to do.  This handy moving checklist should help you avoid forgetting any of those important steps!  Of course, Seven Brothers Moving is always here to help answer any questions and help with many aspects of your move.  Call us today for free advice and a free estimate!

  • One to two months before moving
    • Schedule your move with your moving company to get the time and date you prefer.
    • Make an inventory of household good and start to remove clutter.
    • Start a file for all of your moving related paperwork.
    • Arrange to transfer school records for your children if applicable.
    • Contact any painters, carpenters, plumbers, roofers, etc. that you will need to do work on your old home before you leave or on your new home to get it ready.
    • Change your address with the post office. You can now do this online!
    • Start looking for doctors, dentists or other healthcare providers in your new town.
    • Plan for a moving sale if you are going to have one or start selling larger items online.
  • Two to four weeks before moving
    • Start using up food and cleaning supplies that cannot be moved.
    • Clean out closets and drawers.
    • Schedule disconnection of utilities at your old home and connection at your new home. Be sure to leave a day of overlap for moving day.
    • If you are packing yourself, gather packing supplies and start packing items you won’t need for a while.
    • Arrange for cleaning and repair of furniture, drapes, and carpeting.
    • Make plans for transportation of pets and plants if necessary.
    • Gather important records such as medical, dental, veterinary, and school records as well as legal and financial documents like birth certificates, passports, and insurance documents together in one place.
    • Make childcare arrangements for moving day.
    • If you are moving in or out of an apartment, reserve the elevator.
  • One to two weeks before moving day
    • Properly dispose of items that cannot be moved such as flammable liquids.
    • Make arrangements to donate or dispose of items that you will not be taking with you.
    • If you are moving from a warm climate to a cold climate, check the antifreeze in your car.
    • Return borrowed items like library books and retrieve items you’ve lent out.
    • Cancel your newspaper delivery.
    • Notify any creditors of your new address.
    • Be sure you have an adequate supply of medications on hand and transfer prescriptions to your new location.
    • Assemble a file folder of important information to leave for the new owner of your home.
    • Take your pets to the vet for immunizations or checkups if necessary.
    • Close and empty any safe deposit boxes.
    • Find new homes for plants that will not be moved.
    • Pack a travel kit with everything you’ll need for moving day. It might help to make a checklist in advance for this.  Put aside critical items like checkbook, credit cards, personal contacts list, flashlight, keys, toiletries, tools, paper plates and cups, towels, first aid kit, and activities for the kids.  Pack a suitcase with clothing and other personal items.
  • The day before moving day.
    • Drain power equipment of oil and gas. Drain water hoses.
    • Confirm travel reservations and check in for flights.
    • Drain your waterbed if you have one.
    • Defrost the refrigerator and freezer.
    • Disconnect and prepare major appliances for the move.
    • Set aside anything that will travel in your car so it doesn’t accidentally get loaded on the truck.
    • Pack a box of items that you will need on the first day at your new home. Mark this box clearly “load last.”
    • If you are doing it yourself, dismantle your bed and other large furniture.
    • Confirm arrival time of your moving truck.
    • If you are doing it yourself, finish packing all of your items. Or be present as your movers pack.
  • On moving day
    • Be sure someone is at your house to answer any questions the movers might have.

Double check your home before leaving to make sure that nothing is left behind by accident.