Relocation Checklist

• 1 month before -- check out your company relo package
  • determine what expenses will be paid by your company
  • determine what expenses you will have to cover yourself
  • start a log of moving expense receipts (some may be deductible)
• 1 month before -- get a written moving estimate
  • get estimates from two or more movers
  • including written commitment of pickup and delivery dates
  • get and check references
  • check the limits of the insurance offered
  • see if the insurance offered covers replacement cost
  • purchase additional insurance, if necessary
• 1 month before -- give cancellation notices
  • give day care center proper notice of withdrawal
  • give notice to clubs, organizations, volunteer activities
  • cancel newspaper subscriptions and regular deliveries
• 1 month before -- hire a storage facility
  • check the limits of the insurance offered
  • see if the insurance offered covers replacement cost
  • purchase additional insurance, if necessary
• 1 month before -- instruct your bank
  • arrange transfer of your accounts
  • order checks with new address
  • clean out your safety deposit box
• 1 month before -- make travel arrangements
  • hotels / temporary housing
  • rental cars / plane tickets
  • transport service for pets and automobiles, if needed
• 1 month before -- store important records in fire-safe box
  • school records / pet documents
  • home purchase / sale papers
  • wills / marriage / divorce papers
  • financial records / stock certificates
  • birth certificates / social security cards / passports
• 1 month before -- submit a change of address
  • turn in forms at the post office
  • mail post cards to friends and creditors
• 1 month before -- transfer important records
  • contact schools and arrange for transfer of student records
  • contact doctors for medical records and referrals to new physicians
  • change your insurance policies on property, auto, and medical
• 2 weeks before -- clean out
  • take a ruthless walk-through to determine what you want to take
  • tag the rest of it and hold a garage sale
  • or call a charity for pick-up
• 2 weeks before -- get your stuff in order
  • clean out club, gym, and school lockers
  • pick up all dry cleaning
  • retrieve and return all borrowed items from friends and neighbors
  • return library books
• 2 weeks before -- prepare to leave your home
  • arrange for the disconnection or changeover of utilities
  • begin packing less-used items
  • clean out the cupboards
  • plan remaining meals so you can pack what you don't need
  • don't buy any more perishables than you have to
• 7 days before -- confirm moving arrangments
  • dates / agreements with moving and storage companies
  • agreements with auto and pet transportation companies
  • hotel and temporary housing accommodations
  • rental car and other transportation arrangements
  • don't buy any more perishables than you have to
• 7 days before -- let people know how to reach you
  • inform friends and relatives of your forwarding address
  • if you'll be without phone service, get a temporary voice mail box
  • some long-distance providers offer 1-800 voice mail numbers
• 7 days before -- make survival box for move
  • paper / pens
  • address book / stamps / envelopes
  • cellophane and heavy-duty tape / scissors
  • tape measure
  • paper cups, plates, and towels / plastic utensils / ziploc bags
  • facial and toilet tissue / soap / moist towelettes
  • instant coffee or tea / bottled drinks / snacks / can opener
  • aspirin / band-aids
  • travel alarm
  • flashlight / small tool kit
  • trash bags
  • children's games
  • spare car keys
  • phone books for the city you are leaving and your destination
• 7 days before -- prepare belongings for packing
  • make an inventory list of all items going with you personally
  • keep valuable / irreplaceable items (jewelry, heirlooms) with you
  • clean out and defrost the deep freezer
  • disassemble furniture or other items
  • check yard and shed for all items that need packed
  • set aside box of cleaning supplies and the vacuum cleaner
• 7 days before -- think about decorating your new home
  • take pictures of furniture / get fabric samples and paint chips
  • create a "decorating reference file"
  • have measurements taken of the rooms in your new residence
  • use floor plans to determine where everything will go
• just before moving -- cease using the refrigerator
  • remove all perishable food
  • store anything you still need in a cooler
  • clean and defrost the refrigerator and freezer
• just before moving -- finish packing
  • complete packing of all household goods for the move
  • make sure all boxes are clearly marked
• just before moving -- resolve financial matters
  • conclude any arrangements relating to sale or lease of your home
  • purchase traveler's checks for trip expenses
  • reconcile and close or transfer bank accounts
• moving day -- confirm moving arrangments
  • confirm delivery address, directions, and delivery date with movers
  • make sure boxes are clearly marked
  • make sure your instructions are understood
• moving day -- prepare your home to be vacant
  • make sure a relative, neighbor, or real estate agent has the keys
  • make sure that person knows how to contact you
  • notify insurance agent and police that the home will be empty
• moving day -- vacate your home
  • clean the home and check entire grounds before leaving
  • check thermostat and make sure temperature is set appropriately
  • make sure all windows and doors are closed and locked
  • make sure all appliances are turned off
  • leave forwarding address, keys, and garage door opener
• when you arrive -- get unpacked
  • supervise moving crew on location of furniture and boxes
  • begin unpacking necessary basics first (utensils, toiletries, etc.)
  • give the kids a job to do -- let them start on their rooms
  • set kitchen and bedrooms up first, to make you feel at home
• when you arrive -- pay and settle with the movers
  • go over "Bill of Lading" with the moving company before signing
  • check for damaged and missing items and make a note of them
  • the Bill of Lading is usually binding once signed
• when you arrive -- relax and settle in
  • check to make sure all utilities are on and working properly
  • let family members or friends know that you have arrived safely
  • check in with employer and real estate agent to confirm itineraries
  • now relax, order dinner out, and take a hot bath...you deserve it!

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