Moving Checklist
Moving Checklist
Two Months Before Moving:
- Sort through your belongings to reduce the number of things you have to move.
- Have a garage sale or donate items you no longer need.
- Decide whether to move yourself or hire professionals.
- Make reservations with a moving company or a rental truck company. Tip: Get quotes from 3 companies to make sure you’re getting a good deal. I recommend Amazing Moves.
- Gather packing supplies: boxes, packing material, tape, felt markers and scissors.
- If you’re moving a long distance, make travel arrangements with the airline, hotel and rental car agency. If you’re driving to your new home, get maps and plan your travel route.
- Save all moving receipts, because some moving expenses may be tax deductible.
- Place your legal, medical, financial and insurance records in a safe and accessible place.
- Purchase insurance coverage for valuables to be moved.
One Month Before Moving:
- Start packing items that aren’t regularly used such as off-season clothes and decorations and items stored in storage ares (garage, attic and closets).
- Make travel arrangements for your pets.
- If you’re driving, get your car tuned up.
- Get medical records from your doctors, dentist, optometrist and veterinarian.
- Send items (rugs, drapes, clothing, quilts, bedding) to the cleaners.
- Back up important computer files.
Two Weeks Before Moving:
- Contact your utility companies (gas, electric, cable, trash, phone) and notify them of your move. In Colorado, title companies transfer the water so you don’t have to do that.
- Sign up for services at your new address.
- Call friends and family and recruit help for the moving day, if necessary.
- Confirm your travel reservations.
- Arrange to close or transfer your bank account and, if appropriate, pick up items from your safety deposit box.
One Week Before Moving:
- Pick up items from the cleaners, repair shops or friends.
- Pack a survival kit of clothes, medicines, special foods and so on to carry you through the day after arrival in your new home.
- Finish packing all boxes, minus what you’ll need in the final week.
- Change your address using my Change of Address Checklist.
The Day Before Moving:
- Set aside moving materials, such as tape measure, pocket knife and rope.
- Pad corners and stairways of house.
- Lay down old sheets in the entry and hallways to protect floor coverings.
- Remove hanging fixtures you’re taking with you.
- If moving yourself, pick up the rental truck and a hand truck or dolly to move heavy boxes.
- If you’re driving, check oil and gas in your car.
- If you’re traveling, make sure you have tickets, charge cards and other essentials.
Moving Day:
- Show movers where to place furniture and boxes.
- Check inventory to ensure that everything was delivered before signing delivery papers. Note any damages on the inventory sheet.
- Unpack any valuable items, such as silver, art and jewelry, upon arrival.
Carry with you:
- Keys to your new home.
- Map of new town and directions to your home, if necessary.
- The telephone number of the moving company.
- Cash or traveler’s checks.
- Documentation related to the sale of your home.
- Your insurance policies and agent’s phone number.
- Your current address book or planner.
- Prescription and non-prescription medicines.
- Enough clothing to get by if the movers are late.
- Any important personal records and documents.
- Any items of great personal value to you that are virtually irreplaceable (e.g. photo album).
- Back-up copies of important computer files.
- Sheets and towels for the first night in your new home.
- Personal hygiene items
After the Move:
- Walk and drive your neighborhood and community to orient yourself and your family.
- Get new driver’s licenses, voter registration cards and bus passes.
- Enroll children in school.
Testimonials
“Working with Drew and his team was a very positive experience. In fact, they were so good, I will always turn to them as my real estate professionals! I was a bit nervous about their knowledge of my area when we started the process as they aren’t located directly in Castle Rock, however, Drew said they knew the area and I trust Drew. As it turned out, they really knew the area! The neighborhood research provided was accurate and the sale price they suggested was exactly on target. Our house so… Read more
“We are so grateful that Drew was referred to us. We found him to be responsive, knowledgeable, and patient. He kept in constant contact with us during our search. Most importantly, once we made an offer he and his staff were so very helpful in each of the steps leading up to and including the closing. We would highly recommend Drew Schneider.”