Eight weeks before

• Read our blogs on the real cost of moving and donations

• Remove unnecessary items from your attic, basement, storage shed, etc

• Use things you can’t move, such as frozen foods and cleaning supplies

• Call your homeowners insurance agent to find out to what degree your move is covered

• Create a file for documenting all moving papers and receipts

• Arrange to transfer your children’s school records

• Research and compare prices on a few moving companies

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Six weeks before

• Evaluate your possessions inventory. Can you donate anything? Do you need it all?

• Notify your friends, relatives, professionals, creditors, subscriptions, etc

• Begin the off-site storage process (if applicable). Read our storage blog for more information

• Locate high-quality health-care professionals and hospitals in your new location

• Complete post-office change of address cards for the following: banks; charge cards; magazines, accountant, religious organizations; doctors/dentist; relatives and friends, etc

• Clean your closets

• Hold a moving/garage sale or donate items to charities

• Hire your moving company and inquire about insurance coverage

• If relocating due to a job, contact your employer to see what costs, if any, they will cover

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Four weeks before

• Start packing!

• Contact all utility companies (gas, electric, oil, water, telephone, cable TV and trash collection companies) for service disconnect /connect at your old and new addresses; also ask for final readings

• Eversource is the most common electric (and gas) company in the area

• Click here to start/stop service with Eversource, National Grid is another big contender for gas

• Make sure your mail will be forwarded: Here’s a link to change your address

• Request refunds on unused homeowner’s insurance and cable/internet service

• Notify your landscape and snow removal services (if applicable)

• Contact insurance companies (auto, homeowner’s, medical, and life) to arrange for coverage in your new home

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Three weeks before

• Make your travel plans.

• Arrange to close current bank accounts and open accounts in your new locale
  (if necessary)

• Gather car license and registration documents, medical, dental and school records, birth certificates, wills, deeds, stock and other financial documentation

• Notify your state’s motor vehicle bureau of your new address

• Arrange for childcare and/or pet care on moving day

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Two weeks before

• Arrange special transport for your pets and plants

• Service your car for the trip

• Contact your moving company and review arrangements for your move

One week before

• Prepare detailed directions and an itinerary with emergency numbers for your moving company

• Settle outstanding bills with local retailers; pick up dry cleaning, and return library books

• Take pets to the veterinarian and get copies of their records

• Drain gas and oil from power equipment

• Give away plants not being moved

• Cancel newspaper delivery

• Buy two weeks worth of medication and have your prescriptions forwarded to your new pharmacy

• Make arrangements to pay for your move

• Finish packing

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Two to three days before

• Consider gathering all valuables and giving them to family or friends to hold until the move is completed

• Disconnect all major appliances

• Contact your moving company for any updates

• Pack a survival kit and keep in your car: sheets, towels, toiletries, phone, alarm clock, change of clothes and flashlight

• Other items for moving include: scissors, utility knife, coffee cups, instant coffee/tea or a coffee maker, water and snacks, paper plates, plastic utensils, paper towels, toilet paper, soap, pencils and paper, access to the internet and cell phone chargers, masking and/or duct tape, trash bags, shelf liner and aspirin or ibuprofen

• Pack and/or throw away perishable foods

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Moving day

• Be home to answer any questions your mover may have

• Stay until your movers are finished

• Carefully read the document and the inventory sheet before signing it

• Keep your copies of the bill and inventory until your possessions are delivered, the charges are paid and any claims are settled

• Take one final look around to see if you forgot anything

• Give movers the directions to your new home, and an emergency number where you can be reached during the move

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At destination

• Unpack first-night items and mover’s survival kit

• Be at the destination to welcome the movers and be on hand to answer any questions

• Scrutinize the unloading of your items and account for each one on your inventory sheet

• Check promptly and carefully for any damaged or missing items

• Place moving and other important documents in a safe place

• Go to the post office and collect held mail

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Need more help?

A local moving company, Big Foot Moving, has some great tips.