Moving Checklist: Change of Address, Part 1

Notifying people that you’ve moved isn’t exactly glamorous. However, it’s pretty important. So I’m continuing our moving checklist with change of address details. Some of the people who might need your new address include:

• Accountant/tax preparer
• Alumni associations
• Attorneys
• Babysitter/ child care provider
• Banks (auto loans, checking accounts, credit cards, home equity, IRA’s, mortgage, safe deposit box, savings account)
• Broker
• Business cards (order new ones)
• Cell phone provider
• Child care/ daycare
• Chiropractor
• Courts, especially for traffic tickets or local disputes
• Credit bureaus
• Credit card issuers
• Dentist
• Department of Motor Vehicles
• Diaper service
• Doctor
• Dry cleaning pick-up and delivery
• Family members
• Health clubs
• House cleaning service
• House of worship
• Insurance providers (auto, health, life, other vehicles)
• IRS (form 8822)
• Lawn care
• Luggage tags (replace existing ones)
• Magazine subscriptions
• New business cards
• New employer
• Newspaper subscriptions
• Old employer
• Orthodontist
• Parent-teacher association
• Passport
• Pet sitter/ dog walker/ pet day care
• Pharmacy (BONUS: get year-to-date expense summary for taxes)
• Physical therapist
• Physician (BONUS: get referral for new location)
• Post office
• Professional organizations
• Retirement plan holders
• Return address labels (order new ones)
• Schools (BONUS: get copies of transcripts)
• Snow removal service
• Social Security Administration
• Swimming pool maintenance (pool cleaning, pool opening or closing)
• Swimming pool memberships
• Veterinarian BONUS get vet records and recommendations
• Water delivery service

Who did I miss? Who else would you notify? Please create a reply and let me know!

For now, you may want to check out these other resources:

• Ultimate Moving Checklist
• List of 101 Best Moving Tips
• Guide to getting organized for your move
• Guide to finding great movers and moving companies
• Packing tips

Moving Checklist: Final Week

Today I’ll finish up the moving checklist with the steps for the final week. It’s broken up into 3 components:

• 1 week prior to Moving Day
• 1 day prior to Moving Day
• Moving Day itself

Here are the final checklist items:

1 Week Prior to Moving Day
————————————————————————————

c Confirm start time, current home address and future home address with movers.

Even if you already have this information, it’s a good idea to double-check. It’s also wise to ask who you can contact (name and phone number) if the movers don’t show up on-time, since the start of the move may be well before the movers’ offices open.

c Recruit friends for “moving day madness.”

Having extra help for last-minute errands or helping to watch movers and answer questions can be invaluable.

c Make arrangements for child and/or pet sitting.

Having small children and pets watched on Moving Day can eliminate a lot of stress and confusion on the big day, especially while taking care of all the other important details.

1 Day Prior to Moving Day
————————————————————————————

c Make sure everyone’s cell phone is fully charged.

Moving Day would be a bad day to be out of contact. 🙂

c Have everyone pack one or two suitcases or a knapsack (no more).

Even if you’re only moving across the street, having a suitcase with the following, taken with you instead of on the moving truck if possible, will make things easier once you move in:

__ Eyeglasses
__ Favorite toy for the kids
__ Prescriptions
__ Something to read
__ Three days’ worth of changes of clothes
__ Toothbrush and toothpaste (if not in “Open Me First” box)

Moving Day
————————————————————————————

c Start early.

Moving is stressful enough without waking up late and running around with movers waiting outside.

c Take all garbage out of the house.

Movers get into huge trouble for leaving anything behind. So many people have been shocked to find their garbage packed into their garbage cans and sent along for the move!

c Make sure drivers have your cell phone number and you have theirs, along with their names.

Things come up on moving day- make sure you have a way to stay in contact. q Be available for movers’ questions. You need to be visible and available at all times- near the door is usually a good spot.

c Perform final checks before leaving current home.

Here are some final items to verify before shutting the door for the last time:

• Are the air conditioning, fans, and heat turned off?
• Is the water shut off, including to hoses?
• Are the light switches turned off?
• Are the keys and garage door openers for current home turned in or left on the kitchen counter?
• Anything left in refrigerator, freezer, stove, drawer under stove, in closets, in bathroom, under porch, in garage, in attic, in crawlway? · Did you pack your hoses and sprinklers

And finally, at the end of the day, congratulate yourself- you’re done! To see the entire Ultimate Moving Checklist, click here. What checklist items do you recommend? I hope you reply and let me know.

Moving Checklist: 2 Weeks Prior to Move

Continuing the them of the moving checklist this week, here is an itemized list of tasks for 2 weeks prior to the move. The tasks for 4 weeks prior to the move were published earlier this week. You may also view our free Ultimate Moving Checklist (click here) to see the entire list at one time, along with categories and priorities already assigned.


c Make arrangements to return items.

Here are some critical items to return prior to moving:

__ Cable/ satellite receiver boxes, remote controls, dishes
__ Cable/DSL modems
__ Carpet shampooer
__ Clothing (borrowed)
__ DVD and video game rentals
__ Library books (neighborhood and school)
__ Tools (borrowed or rented)
__ Trash cans/ recycle bins
__ Unwanted purchases

c Make arrangements to retrieve items.

Be sure to retrieve any of the following items:

__ Clothing at dry cleaners, tailors or in storage
__ Clothing lent to friends
__ Items at repair shops
__ Tools lent to neighbors or friends

c Open bank accounts near your new address.

You may want to open a new safe deposit box at the same time, and move all vital papers and/or jewelry into the box in advance. That way you don’t have to worry about them on moving day.

c Create one “Open Me First” box for each room.

You’ll need to access certain packed items almost immediately after you arrive, and they need to be packed together in special boxes (one per room) and marked with either bright red markers or special stickers so you can spot them easily. The specific rooms are:

Kitchen:

__ aluminum foil
__ break-proof or disposable flatware, cups, and plates
__ coffee maker (don’t forget the filters!)
__ dish detergent
__ frying pan and spatula
__ pet food and bowels
__ scissors
__ tea kettle

Main Bathroom:

__ bath mat
__ bath towels
__ first-aid kit (aspirin, band-aids, hydrogen peroxide)
__ hair dryer
__ shampoo
__ shower curtain and rings
__ soap
__ toothbrushes and toothpaste

Tool room or drawer:

__ batteries
__ duct tape
__ flashlight
__ flat-head screwdriver
__ hammer
__ level
__ Phillips-head screwdriver
__ picture hangers
__ tape measure
__ utility knife

c Finish off packing for “non-living” rooms.

You want to be completed for non-essential rooms such as the basement, garage, attic, utility rooms, etc. so you can focus on main living areas in the last weeks.

c Start eating up perishable food from freezer and refrigerator.

Consider holding a “Packing Party.”
Invite trusted friends over for a “Farewell Packing Party.” Provide free food and drinks, provide upbeat background music, and allow friends to tackle projects that require little supervision, such as packing books or pots and pans. Have friends take pictures and send you copies.

c Hold a yard sale.

You might be surprised to learn that you can earn a few hundred dollars by selling non-essential items, earning you cash and making your move more efficient.

Completing these tasks will have you well on your way to Moving Day success.

Moving Checklist for 4 Weeks Prior To Move: Resources and Packing

Continuing our moving checklist for 4 weeks prior to your move date, here are guidelines on Resources and Packing:


c Hire movers or reserve the truck.

If you will be using professional movers, see http://www.Movers-Edge.com/Movers-s/2.htm for details on finding movers.

c Recruit help for the move.

If you’re moving yourself, start recruiting friends, family, neighbors and co-workers well in advance. Offer free breakfast, lunch, snacks, and drinks for your workforce, and be sure to deliver as promised!

c Get the essential moving supplies.

At minimum, you will need:

__ Markers to label boxes (preferably wide tip, dark color)
__ Moving boxes
__ Newsprint, packing peanuts or other cushioning material
__ Packing tape
__ Scissors or utility knife

c Make a moving organizer.

You can make a moving organizer for all your important notes, receipts, and important information by getting:

__ Binder, 3-ring, at least ½” wide
__ Pocket dividers to separate sections and hold important receipts
__ Paper for keeping all your notes (3-holed graph paper is ideal for this).

c Start packing!

For complete packing tips, see http://www.Movers-Edge.com/Packing-Tips-s/1.htm.

NOTE: Almost everyone under-estimates how much time it takes to pack, so start early and leave plenty of extra time.

c Start separating cherished items from the non-essential.

One of the biggest secrets of moving success is eliminating as many items from the move as possible. Donate items to charity, give them to friends, prepare them for a yard sale or throw them out.

What are your favorite items to check off? Please let me know.

Moving Checklist for 4 Weeks Prior To Move: Organizing

The next several blog posts are taken from our parent site’s Ultimate Moving Checklist. As you know, I am a big fan of using a moving checklist as a starting point for planning and keeping organized.

These tips are for the time period starting 4 weeks prior to the move, and focus on getting organized:

c Set the date.

Mondays – Thursdays are your best choices so that banks and offices are open in case you have a problem.

c Arrange for utility transfers.

Notify current and future utility providers of your move date. Note when current security deposits will be refunded and how much is due when for the new ones. This includes:

__ Cable/satellite television
__ Cell phone service
__ Electricity
__ Gas
__ Internet/broadband
__ Local phone service
__ Long distance phone service
__ Propane
__ Recycling pick-up
__ Sewer
__ Security system
__ Trash pick-up
__ Water

NOTE: It’s a good idea to schedule utility “turn on dates” at least one day prior to the move date and “turn off dates” at least one day after the move to allow for emergencies or issues that may arise.


c File change of address.

At minimum, file a Temporary Change of Address with the U.S. Post Office to buy you time before you notify everyone else. You can file online at http://www.MoversGuide.com or call 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777) (both have a $1 fee), or go to the local Post Office and complete form PS 3575.


c Make sure you have enough cash. Most moving companies insist on being paid in cash before they unload a single box. Be sure have the correct amount with you with moving expenses, deposits, tips, and anything else you’ll need on moving day.

c Start a “change of address log.”

Create a change of address log by writing down who you receive mail from each day. Then contact those organizations with your change of address each morning or evening. This breaks up the task and helps make sure you aren’t missing important contacts.

c Notify specific people of your change of address. Some of the people who might need your change of address include:

__ Accountant/tax preparer
__ Alumni associations
__ Attorneys
__ Babysitter/ child care provider
__ Banks (auto loans, checking accounts, credit cards, home equity,
IRA’s, mortgage, safe deposit box, savings
account)
__ Broker
__ Business cards (order new ones)
__ Cell phone provider
__ Child care/ daycare
__ Chiropractor
__ Courts, especially for traffic tickets or local disputes
__ Credit bureaus
__ Credit card issuers
__ Dentist
__ Department of Motor Vehicles
__ Diaper service
__ Doctor
__ Dry cleaning pick-up and delivery
__ Family members
__ Health clubs
__ House cleaning service
__ House of worship
__ Insurance providers (auto, health, life, other vehicles)
__ IRS (form 8822)
__ Lawn care
__ Luggage tags (replace existing ones)
__ Magazine subscriptions
__ New business cards
__ New employer
__ Newspaper subscriptions
__ Old employer
__ Orthodontist
__ Parent-teacher association
__ Passport
__ Pet sitter/ dog walker/ pet day care
__ Pharmacy (BONUS: get year-to-date expense summary for taxes)
__ Physical therapist
__ Physician (BONUS: get referral for new location)
__ Post office
__ Professional organizations
__ Retirement plan holders
__ Return address labels (order new ones)
__ Schools (BONUS: get copies of transcripts)
__ Snow removal service
__ Social Security Administration
__ Swimming pool maintenance (pool cleaning, pool opening or closing)
__ Swimming pool memberships
__ Veterinarian BONUS get vet records and recommendations
__ Water delivery service

These tips should get your move or relocation off to the right start. For more free moving tips, visit http://www.Movers-Edge.com.

Saving Money On Your Move

Moving is not only a stressful process, it can also be a very expensive one. If you use professional movers, the total price tag can range from around $1,000 (for a small, local move) to more than $20,000 (for a large, cross-country or international move).

Here a few tips on saving money on your move:

• Lose some weight. Most of the expense is driven by the weight of the items transported. That means that eliminating items from your move (especially heavy items like old furniture and books) can reduce the final tab significantly. Aim to reduce the total by 1/3.
  
• Get at least 3 in-home estimates. Having reliable companies compete for your business does two things: it helps you negotiate the lowest price and it points out services that may not be necessary for your situation. Use this process to identify your best option.
  
• Watch your truck rental estimate like a hawk. Make sure you pull out your calculator and fully estimate the cost of the base rental, mileage, fuel, fees and other charges. You might be shocked as to how high the final total can be. Be sure to shop around and negotiate the best price.
  
• Consider alternatives. Look into “you pack” moving services, where you load and unload the moving container yourself and only pay for the actual transport costs. This is a great option if you can convince friends and family to help with the physical moving of boxes and furniture.
  
• Hold a yard sale. Yes, I realize this sounds silly. You are pressed for time and don’t think it can raise much money. However, by selling off items you’ll no longer need in your new place, you’ll cut down on the cost of your move AND put from several hundred to over a thousand dollars in your pockets. Check out tips on http://www.yardsalequeen.com/.

• Look for free moving boxes. New moving boxes are the best, but there are alternatives. This one is tricky for two reasons: the wrong kind of boxes can break or bring dirt and insects into your new home, so steer clear of grocery store produce boxes and the like. Instead, try copy paper boxes, your local liquor store (their boxes tend to be very strong), bookstores (all their books come in book boxes and larger) and your local library. NOTE: I recommend you do invest in two kinds of new boxes: “cell” boxes for holding glasses from the kitchen and wardrobe boxes for packing clothes, since they are invaluable and are difficult to find for free.

Here are some other resources to investigate:

• Ultimate Moving Checklist, containing detailed steps of what you need for your move, with categories and priorities already assigned.
• 101 Best Moving Tips, collected and rated from dozens of websites, articles and books on moving strategies.
• Movers-Edge.com homepage, our parent site’s homepage.

What are your favorite money-saving tips for moving? Please let me know!

Where do I start?

Moving can seem overwhelming at times. There are so many small tasks to accomplish and track that the whole process seems daunting. Many of us are left with the question, “Where do I start?”

Rather than cover the entire moving organization process, let’s focus on the absolute basics:

1. Set the date. It’s hard to plan a calendar of dates if you don’t when the move is going to happen. Find out when your new place will be ready, and shoot for the day after just to give you a cushion. You can always adjust it later.
2. Decide on whether you’ll need professional movers and/or a moving truck. That will determine many of your next steps, especially since finding and reserving these resources should happen shortly after you begin.
3. Get your hands on a moving checklist. Regular readers of this blog will know I’m a huge fan of starting with an existing, professionally-developed checklist and adjusting it as necessary. You can use our parent site’s Ultimate Moving Checklist to get you on the right track.

You can also read a more complete article on getting organized for moving here. However, if you can just nail down the 3 points listed above, you will be onto a great start.

How have you gotten “unstuck” and started on your previous moves? Please let me know!