Moving Tasks,Checklist & Timeline

7 – 8 weeks before the move

• Incorporate the File Activity Tracking Format System as your family’s system of communication for the countdown to your move date.
• Establish a clean-up schedule for the weeks your home will be for sale.
• Begin recording moving expenses on your File Activity Tracking Format System.
• Gather financial information for your new loan application
• Use your video (or rent a camera) and film the rooms of your home for a complete inventory of the contents.
• Use the your REALTOR® referred to you by your Personal Relocation Counselor and the File Activity Tracking Format System to research the new location, neighborhoods, schools, places of worship, commuting time
• Contact your Relocation TRIP® Kit’s Personal Relocation Counelor to obtain a free estimate of your household goods shipment.
• Make plans for the sale of you home through the File Activity Tracking Format System and get a credit rebate from the Reocation TRIP& Kit by using its network of professional experienced agents.
• Arrange for an appraisal of antiques for moving and your homeowner’s policy.
• Plan a special activity with your children (if applicable).

5 – 6 weeks before the move

• Gather your personal records: medical, dental, school, birth, marriage, etc.
• Confer with professionals, if necessary, doctors, attorney, accountant, etc.
• Decide what to move and what not to move.
• Have children sort through their toys, books, and games to keep or give away.
• Collect all items to clean or repair.
• Have a garage sale.
• Sell any large items you do not plan to move, piano, furniture, riding lawn mower, etc.
• Make arrangements for your final moving trip to the new location, hotels,airline reservations, driving routes, etc.

3 – 4 weeks before the move

• Change of address and disconnection of services, water, gas, fuel oil, garbage collection, lawn service, etc. through the File Activity Tracking Format System.
• Make arrangements to connect services in the new location, same as above, through the File Activity Tracking Format System.
• Close local department store and other local charge accounts.
• Arrange with previous employer to forward tax withholding forms.
• Notify spouse’s employer.
• Schools: gather referral letters form teachers indicating the child’s status and the curriculum used.
• Gather medical records, vaccinations, prescriptions for eyeglasses, contact lenses, pharmaceutical prescriptions, etc.
• Ask your friends and family for help if you need it.

2 weeks before the move

• Fill, transfer, and pack prescriptions for the family and pets
• Arrange for shipments of pets through your Relocation TRIP® Kit’s Personal Relocation Counselor.
• Get immunization records for pets.
• Give away plans that will not be shipped.
• Safely dispose of or give away all flammables, paints, paint removers, etc. because van line companies will not allow them to be shipped.
• Arrange for charities to pick up donations.
• Decide on the placement of the furniture in the new home, using a floor plan if available.
• Get car(s) serviced and have proof of insurance in your car.

1 week before he move

• Have any special, fragile, or irreplaceable items crated.
• Separate the things you will take with you from those the movers will pack. Label “Do not Remove”.
• Gather valuables from safe deposit box, drawers, jewelry cases, and personal records. Pack these items safely to take with you.
• Confirm travel arrangements and reservations
• Use up contents of refrigerator and freezer.
• If your car is being transported on the van, reduce the fuel level to one-fourth tank.
• Drain fuel and oil from lawn mowers and other power equipment that will be shipped
• Drain garden hoses.
• Send clothing, draperies, curtains, and rugs out for cleaning and leave in wrapping.
• Take down curtain rods, shelves, and TV antenna, if applicable.
• If a propane tank is being shipped purge the tank and leave the value left open.
• If a barbecue grill is being shipped that uses charcoal, the grillshould be cleaned out.
• If a computer is being shipped, disconnect and store discs.

Day before the move

• Empty dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, garbage, etc.
• Defrost refrigerator and freezer and leave doors open to air-dry, to prevent mildew
• Collect all keys, house, car, gate, etc. Do not pack them.
• Place in the car all items the movers will not be transporting, packed suitcase for the trip, valuables, etc.
• Remember to pack a box of the basics you will need on move-in day when you get the your new home, tools, paper products, all purpose household cleaners, etc. Have this loaded last so that it will be the first to be unloaded.
• Set your alarm one to two hours before the movers are scheduled to arrive.
• Relax, and go to bed early.

Note: Most if not all van lines do not pack, load or ship currency, jewelry costume jewelry, stamps, collectable coins, credit cards, important papers, documents, medications, flammables, hazardous materials, fire extinguishers, hand guns, shotguns, rifles, ammunition and food.

Moving Day

• Strip beds and baby cribs
• Put bedclothes and linens in a plastic bag
• Supervise the moving crew and to be available to check items and boxes on the inventory sheet.
• Do an initial walk through with the van driver topoint out any items that require special handling, items of particular concern, storage areas, attic area, and items not to be packed.
• Leave furniture in the rooms that they are used in.
• An inventory of all possessions and boxes will be performed identifying the number and condition of these possessions and boxes. Be sure that all items have been tagged, removed, and loaded into the van.
• Be sure the driver of the van has your new address
• Be sure you have confirmed the arrival time of the van at your new home.
• Get the name of the driver, phone number of the dispatching van line office, cell phone of the driver, if available.
• Secure the Drivers’ Bill of Lading and a copy of the inventory sheet.
• Conduct a last minute walk through with your van operator (driver), inspecting all the rooms including, closets, storage area, yard, and any of the children’s secret hiding places.
• Sweep or vacuum and uncleaned areas.
• Turn off everything, appliances, refrigerator, heating and air conditioning.
• Leave an information packet for the new owners, appliance manuals, alarm directions, etc.
• Take out the garbage.
• Take a final walk through of the house. DOUBLE CHECK EVERYTHING
• Lock all the doors, windows, and close the garage door.
• Take the keys to the listing real estate agent or new owner.

Delivery Day

• Be present to check off items on the inventory sheet as they are removed from the van.
• Post the diagram or floor plan for furniture arrangement. Or have one person handle the inventory check off and another directing the moves to place furniture.
• Note any missing or damaged items.
• Unpack only the boxes of items that you will need immediately.
• Make the beds.
• Arrange for connection of appliances, washer, dryer vent, etc.
• Arrange for connection of water, sewer, electric, telephone, etc. through the File Activity Tracking Format System.
• Ignore the rest of the boxes, for now.
• Remember, tomorrow will come sooner then you think.
• Arrange for unpacking services, if desired, for the following day.