A Moving Check List for your use

MOVING CHECK LIST

This list is as extensive as we can make it even though your move might not be as complicated as some. If at anytime you need any help with any of these steps, please don’t hesitate to call our office.

A. As soon as dates are know, get estimates and plan a calendar of moving with your moving company. Make sure that any arrangements for “Employee Compensation” for your move is in writing and is made clear to all involved. Remember to exercise caution with your movers, ask for reference and review their insurance provisions/cost.

B. 30 DAYS BEFORE YOU MOVE

q Start preparing children for the move.

Make certain they understand the reason for the move.
Let them share in the Planning. Give them a sense of importance by giving them specific task and responsibilities.
Plan a going-away party for the children to have all their friends over one last time.

q Provide notice to all leaseholders. You may have to do this even earlier than 30 days to secure return of any security deposits and arrange for any surrender inspections that apply with your lease.

q Stop all automatic drafts from your accounts with banks since you will be moving them to a new bank.

q Request a “Newcomer’s Packet” from your city destination by contacting their Chamber of Commerce or City Hall.

q Make sure that your New Home will be ready for your occupancy.

q Make tentative room plans on graph paper to show placement of your furniture/items.

q Save all receipts and check with your accountant as to what moving costs are deductible. These cost to review with your accountant include, but are not limited to:

q Start saving boxes and cartons for your move.

q Start collecting copies of all medical, dental, and school records to be forwarded to new location.

q Transfer Insurance records.

q Auto License and Registration. Tennessee requires you do both within the first 30 days of your arrival.

q Close all local charge accounts at the cleaners, grocers, and video store. Make sure that all your local charge accounts know you will be leaving and that the bill should be cleared and deleted to prevent unauthorized charges to your accounts.

q Arrange for pet shipment.

q Get copies of all Birth Certificates that will travel with your things.

q Provide friends, relatives, and your neighbors your forwarding address.

q Make travel plans.

q Make hotel reservations, with a confirmation number or letter.

q Begin to use up the food in your cabinets and freezers.

q Decide what items of low value and high weight you are going to give to charity. Get a signed receipt for what you give away for your tax purposes.

q List all your questions as they arise. Ask them as soon as possible.

C. TWO WEEKS BEFORE

q Do your packing a little at a time, don’t wear yourself out.

q Use your kitchen cart or server as a mobile packing table.

q Collect items to clean or repair.

q Return things borrowed, collect those things loaned. Turn in any library books or videos you have out.

q Have bank transfer accounts and release safe deposit box.

q Notify Post Office of new address with dates to start forwarding mail. Forwarded mail will last up to 6 months only if you ask for it. You can of course always extend it if you feel the need to.

q Arrange to disconnect all utilities, phone, cable, etc., and make same arrangements at your new home.

Included with this list should be:

Power Company 4. Oil Company
Telephone Company 5. Gas Company
Cable Company 6. Garbage Collection

q Have a yard sale to empty out your closets and garage of things you won’t need nor want to carry with you.

q Have your car tuned up and everything checked before you leave

q Get extra eyeglasses and stock up on all medical prescriptions.

D. ONE WEEK BEFORE

q Dispose of all flammables.

q Pack suitcases.

q Arrange for credit and bank accounts in the new community.

q Plan travel games for the kids.

q Set things aside to pack in the car.

q UNLESS THEY STAY, take down all curtains, rods, personal items, TV antenna, etc. YOU MUST LEAVE YOUR MAILBOX IF IT’S OUTSIDE OF YOUR HOME IN THE YARD OR ATTACHED TO YOUR HOME. Your mailbox is considered FEDERAL PROPERTY after you install it, and if you move it, you must replace it with an approved mailbox.

q Pick up all coats, cleaner clothes, etc. You might have in storage somewhere.

q Cancel milk, paper, or other home deliveries.

q Withdraw contents from all safe deposit boxes.

q Inform utility companies of your departure date and forwarding address for final bills, and their need to disconnect their services. Remember to get any deposits you might have with them, if you don’t remember make sure you ask.

q Make sure you have your phone installation at your new home set up, with a forward ring to your new location at a certain date, or just a recording from the Phone Company about the change of number. This service will last a few months.

E. DAY BEFORE MOVE

q Empty, defrost refrigerator and freezer and let them air dry for at least 24 hours. Place charcoal, coffee or backing soda in a sock to deodorize them.

q Clean and air out your stove/range.

q Arrange for enough cash for your trip.

q Finish packing personal items, marking boxes which are fragile.

q Notify local authorities if a large moving truck is coming into your residential area if there is a possibility of traffic concerns.

q Drain all fuel from lawnmowers, weed eaters, etc, before you move them.

q GET A GOOD NIGHTS REST

F. DAY OF MOVE

q No visitors today.

q Get a good breakfast, lunch could be hectic.

q Make arrangements for the kids to keep them out of the way.

q Be around to answer any questions during the packing of the moving truck.

q Make sure you have a good inventory of those things being moved for you; accompany the movers with their inventory check to make sure they get everything.

q Give driver detailed instructions on how to get to your new house.

q Save all copies of the “bills of lading”.

q Confirm delivery date and time.

q Strip your beds down to nothing but the fitted top sheet.

q Keep your vacuum handy for last minute cleanup and then first out at the new house to get things ready.

q Before leaving home, check to make sure all windows are down and locked, all doors are locked, keys are with realtor or neighbor and all lights are off.

q Be sure to arrive at your new home before the van does.

SURVIVAL KIT FOR THE MOVE

1. First Aid kit

2. Moving and all Real Estate papers

3. New Home keys

4. Baby needs

5. Camera

6. Toilet paper

7. Light bulbs

8. Cooking utensils

9. Towels and washcloths

10. Change of clothes

11. Tool kit, flares, etc.

12. Paper plates

13. Maps

14. Comb, brush, toothbrush and paste

15. Relocation packet

16. Treats/candy for the kids

17. Special snacks

18. Crayons, pencils

19. Prescriptions

20. Soap, deodorant

21. Flashlight

22. Surprise new toy

23. Make up medicines

q Make arrangements to pay mover, they have to be paid before they unload most of the time.

1. Before the movers move into your old home and then move things into your new home, prepare the floors with either plastic or paper runners to prevent any staining of carpets.

2. If your new home is new construction without the final sidewalks or drives, make arrangements to have plywood paths to use.

4. Wait 24 hours after moving TV’s and computers before operation so that they can settle and adjust to any temperature differences.

5. Check all appliances, lights, fuses, etc, to make sure everything works in your new home.