Moving Tips

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

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 charitiesious organizations; doctors/dentist; relatives and friends, etc.
• 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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
• 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.

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.

Need more help?

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