One Month Before
Contact a moving company and tell them the dates you plan to move. Set up a date for an agent to come over and survey your goods. Unless you’re given a binding estimate, the cost can vary, depending on the actual weight of items and any extra services.- Decide if you are going to pack for yourself or have the movers do it.
- Draw a floor plan of your new house. This will help you decide which furniture stays and which goes.
- Start getting suitable containers, boxes, and packing materials. Some moving supplies to be considered: markers, self-stick labels, newspapers, utility knife, packing peanuts/bubble wrap, tape, furniture pads, scissors, dolly.
- Clean out closets, attic, basement, cupboards, toy chests, and bookshelves. Discard anything you don’t want or need. Consider having a garage sale or donate items to charitable organizations. Remember to obtain receipts for tax purposes.
- Take a complete inventory of items to be moved.
- Notify security, lawn, cleaning, pest, snow removal, and any other regular service companies of your move date.
- Notify your Post Office, newspaper, cable TV, and subscription service companies of your change of address and move date. Pick up plenty of change-of-address forms!
- Check your Homeowner’s Insurance and transfer records. Verify adequate coverage in your new location.
- Check with your veterinarian on any travel preparation needed for your pets.
- Register children for school and transfer all necessary school records.
- Use up your fresh and frozen foods, as they can’t be safely shipped. Likewise, diminish your supply of canned goods.
- Take the family for a farewell visit to places that hold happy memories. Help your children host their own “going-away” party. Hold an open house or informal dinner for friends to say goodbye. Keep it simple.
Two Weeks Before
- Contact telephone, electric, gas, and water companies to advise specific date on which to discontinue services. Advise when to start services in new location.
- Check requirements for new driver’s license and auto registration.
- Ask your physician and dentist for referrals in the new location. Transfer medical records and get copies of your prescriptions.
- Arrange for the transfer of valuables. Check contents of your safe-deposit box. Do not ship valuables such as jewelry, insurance policies, legal documents, currency, stamp, and coin collections with the moving company. Instead, carry them with you or send them by insured or certified registered mail.
- Do not ship combustible and flammable items. These include oil-based paints, bleach, cleaning and lightning fluids, matches, and ammunition. All aerosol cans should be eliminated from the shipment, including hair sprays, shaving creams, deodorants, household cleaners, insecticides, tarnish removers, and car cleaners. Use up or discard these items.
- Take your car in to have it checked for the upcoming road trip.
- Return library books, videos, and anything else you may have borrowed.
One Week Before
- Keep a detailed record and receipts of your moving expenses including transportation, lodging, and meals. Check with your tax advisor for tax and reimbursement purposes.
- Drain gas and oil from lawn mowers, chain saws, snow blowers, etc. Gas grills and kerosene heaters must be empty. If transported by van, cars and motorcycles should have as little gas as possible. If transported by auto carrier, cars should have no more than half a tank.
- Check to make sure you haven’t left anything at the dry cleaners.
- Put linens and pillows in the dresser drawers to have handy for making beds the first night in your new home.
- Place draperies lengthwise on hangers and hang in the closet. The movers will place them in wardrobe cartons.
- Prepare a “ready box” for last-on/first-off of the moving van. This might include essentials from your kitchen and bathroom. Think about including a hammer, pliers, screwdrivers, and nails.
- Prepare a “ready box” with necessary medications and first aid supplies.
- Help prepare your children for the move by providing them with their own special treasures. Set aside toys and games and pack a box of snacks.
- Defrost and clean the refrigerator and freezer at least 24 hours in advance of the move.
- Remember to keep your telephone connected throughout loading day.
One Day Before
- The packing crew usually arrives the day before the van is loaded; be sure someone is on-hand to supervise the packing. Point out which items should be loaded first onto the van (such as out-of-season items and decorative furniture) and which should be loaded last (such as items for children’s rooms and furniture such as china cabinets you’ll need for immediate storage as you unpack).
- Pack any valuables you intend to take with you personally.
- Make sure fragile items receive special attention. Label carton contents and where they go in the new home.
- Gather keys to the house and arrange to leave them with your realtor.
- Notify close friends or relatives of your itinerary in case of emergency.
The Day of Move-Out
- Check the mover’s inventory to see that you agree with the mover’s judgment on the condition of your household goods. Take photos if there is a dispute.
- Load those things you are taking on the trip, including luggage.
- Search every room before the van leaves.
- Check the inventory for completeness before you sign it.
- Retain a copy of the signed inventory for your records.
- Record the van driver’s name and give him/her your contact numbers at the destination. Confirm directions to the new residence.
The Day of Move-In
- Arrive before the movers.
- Check appliances, furnace, and hot water heater.
- Check household goods carefully for loss or damage as they are unloaded. List all lost or damaged items on the inventory form.
- Since you will probably do some unpacking after the movers leave, make a note on the inventory “subject to inspection for loss or concealed damage”.
- Ask the mail carrier if he/she is holding any mail for your arrival.
Relocating to Albuquerque and unfamiliar with our area? Then check out my Albuquerque Neighborhoods resource page. It’s packed with information about the NE, SE and Downtown areas. Then take a look at my Albuquerque Resource page where you can find out extensive information about our area, including utilities and service company information.
Ashley Drake Gephart |
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