Moving Checklist

On Google Drive, create a relocation file or folder to store receipts, moving quotes and other related records about your move. Such records may include how much a particular moving company is quoting you, the price charge of fifteen to twenty boxes. Store these in a document for easy reference as all these details can be easily forgotten over time.

Create a reasonable budget for relocation expenses. It is understandable that your wine fridge and that new sectional item require hiring a professional moving company, but you have to set your priorities straight. Setting a moving budget must be a high-priority task on your printable moving checklist as not having a set budget can cause you problems later.      

Be in knowing that before signing any documents, you need to read through them. Know about the documents you will be receiving before the moving day and make sure you don’t allow contracts to intimidate you. This is so important, and that is why we have it as a number on our list.

Take time off work for relocation day. Plan to move and take off on Friday if possible. This is a very nice tip as you get to organize yourself for the rest of the weekend.

Locate and choose a school for your children. To get the best school in your area, agents can help you locate one. Just contact one for help.Furthermore, request for your kid's transcript from their old school to be used for their new school. The new school that your children will attend will need the transcript no matter the distance of your move. To avoid your kid(s) getting left behind, get prepared.

Organize a garage sale and donate any of your belongings that you couldn’t sell.Unusual items such as fine art, pool tables or safes, pianos, and guns require extra moving plans as they are fragile. You may need to hire a specialty mover to move these items as the moving company you hire may not have the qualification required to move some larger and highly prized items. Ensure you understand to the fullest what your movers will not move to allow you to plan it out.

Verify the legitimacy of your moving company with their Department of Transportation number, i.e., DOT number.

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Before moving day, make time for family and friends. You can throw a simple dinner party to catch the last memories of your current home. You don’t necessarily need an elaborate party to get this done.

Get free moving boxes from grocery, office supply, liquor stores, and restaurants. Your local bookstore is also not left out. They will be more than happy to hand over some boxes to you for free as they have more than required.

To make moving day stress-free, research packing hacks.Using different colored tapes/stickers for each room; label your moving boxes to make unpacking a lot easier when you get to your new home.

Before your highly prized items go on the moving truck, take inventory of it all. You can as well make a list of the boxes used to pack them. This is the right time to do this.

To avoid having textbooks stacked on top of your grandmother’s china, mark moving boxes that contain fragile items.Before unplugging, take photos of all electronics.

When you are reconnecting them at your new home, the images will help refresh your memory.For easy furniture reassembly, put all your hardware in labeled bags.Wrap your water glasses in dish towels, gather t-shirts, towels, socks, and linens to use as free packing supplies.

Find out if there are any moving day requirements if you are relocating into a new apartment.Before moving out, address minor home repairs.

This might help you in getting your security deposit back or not if you live in an apartment.Service your vehicle if you are moving across state lines to avoid a breakdown during the move. Do not leave jacks, spare tires and any other items in your car if your relocation requires shipping your car.

To make sure all the furniture will fit, measure the elevators, stairways, and doorways twice.For places of interest such as a restaurant or new favorite hangout spot in your new community, conduct a little research on the area.

Yelp is the best place, to begin with.Lastly, pack a little day by day. Packing all your items the night before the move is not what you would want to do as there are a lot of things on your moving packing list that demands your attention.

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To cover all your possessions during the move, purchase insurance coverage.You may need a parking permit for relocation day, be sure to confirm parking options for your truck.Items like bleach, aerosol cans, frozen foods and others that you can’t pack or sell are to be used or donated.Organize all legal and financial records in a single place.

For everyone in your household, gather their birth certificates. Make sure important documents travel with you during the move.In your new area, find a snow removal service and landscaper.Return books to the library.Return both video game and movie rentals.Do not forget to pick up clothes from the dry cleaner

Dental, optical and medical records of everyone in your home are to be compiled and cross-checked.Find a new dentist, vet, and doctor in your new neighborhood if you are moving across the country.Update your voter registration information.Plan your route and book hotels if you are relocating to a long distance.

Schedule installation and/or cancel your old internet, phone and cable bundles.For your pets' collars, ensure they have ID tags.Get any necessary pet medication and request copies of vet recordsEnsure your pets have every vaccination if you are relocating out of the country.To have some fun while moving and unpacking your household, make a moving day playlist.

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Gather jewelry, small family heirlooms, and valuable paperwork.

These special items are to be kept separately from your moving boxes and should be transported by hand or through a shipping service with insurance that offers a tracking system for your items.

Take photos of any highly prized possessions and take note of any existing damage, dings, and scratches to your furniture.  

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To organize your moving-related receptions and bills, create a moving file. To claim a deduction at tax time, you will need to keep a list of moving expenses.Flammables, poisonous and corrosive items are to be recycled or disposed of and make sure you do this properly.

Use every food item you have in the freezer and prepare meals that will sustain you for two-weeks. You can check out some great meal preparation ideas on the internet.Return items you borrowed from family and friends.Back up your computer files, you will be glad you have everything saved in an alternative storage device if something should happen to your computer during your move.

Cancel your current service with trash removal and recycling and set up a new one for your new home.Remove light bulbs from all lamps you plan to take along with you.Clean out a safe deposit box and any lockers you might have at a community center or gym if you are moving to a long distance.Get and fill all your prescriptions from the pharmacy.

A list of emergency of preferred providers and service technicians should be prepared. Searching for plumbers online while your toilet is overflowing in your new home is not what you will like; so, prepare for it.Arrange for a play date or line up a babysitter for your little ones to keep them safe during your move.During your move, find somewhere safe for pets probably with a friend who would love to dog sit, or you look into doggy daycare to keep them temporarily.

To find your way to work when you finally move, use public transportation or Google Maps.Send out moving announcements to family and friends and those who deserve to know. There are several creative ways to make your new address known to them.Update your new address with credit cards, payroll department at work, banks, and loan providers. Remember to order new checks as well.Forward your mail to your new address.

Within 10 days of relocation, change the address for Social Security benefits. Inform the IRS, Department of Veterans Affairs, Social Security Administration and other government offices of the change in your address.Transfer your renters or homeowners from your current home to your new home.Cancel or transfer your membership at yoga studio, Cross–fit facility, gym, etc.For magazine and newspaper subscription, update your address if you have not done so.

Utilities like electric, natural gas, water are to be transferred to your new home.Update your driver’s license to match your new address.For your car registration and auto insurance, change your address.Before moving your outdoor furniture, make sure you clean them.If necessary, transfer your medical prescriptions to a new pharmacy in your new neighborhood.

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Chemicals, aerosol cans, paint, and other flammable items that cannot be transported are to be disposed of.Double-check the items you packed. Schedule a pickup by your chosen organization if you have more items to donate.Back up your computers to alternative storage.Make sure everyone in the family pack a suitcase containing comfortable clothes and toiletries for a two-week vacation-like move.

Be sure to contact your moving company to confirm details like cell phone numbers, moving-day arrival time, and any last-minute details.Schedule a day you will come back to the old house for final cleaning or hire a cleaning company to do a quick clean once the moving company leaves the premises.While you celebrate the memories you have made in your old home, get prepared to start a new phase in your life. This is so important.

Ask your movers if they work with Move for Hunger so you can donate unopened food.Ensure scheduled deliveries are redirected or canceled. Make sure your pending deliveries are sent to your new home address instead.Clean the old home for the incoming occupants.Unplug your freezer and fridge a night before the move to defrost. To absorb any water that leaks, ensure you lay a towel in front of it.

Drain water hoses to your ice maker and washing machine.Empty oil and gas from snow blowers, heaters, grills, and lawnmowers.If necessary, leave a note or small gift for the incoming residents.Ensure you check the shelves or closet corners for any hiding itemFill nail holes with a bar of soap before conducting a final walk through the house with your landlord.Prepare for rain or snow while you watch the weather channel.Pack every essential item you will need within the first day in your new home in a special box. Mark packing this box is a high-priority job in your moving packing list.

Make a plan for an unexpected scenario such as movers running late.To prove your empty place is in move-out condition, take photographs of it.Embark on the move with enough cash to buy snacks and to tip your movers.In most cases, previous homeowners are only required to sweep their apartment or house, so clean your new place yourself to get the tip-top shape and sparkling look you so much like.

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Packing a moving day box that contains scissors, tape, paper towels, toilet paper, flashlights, bed linens, tools, light bulbs, and trash bags should also be considered. 

To ensure you do not forget these essentials behind, include them in the printable moving checklist in detail.Ensure you give your neighbors a notice about the move if you share a driveway with them or live in an HOA community. This will not only give them enough time to move their cars but also is the respectful thing to do.

A nice gesture for a job well done is ‘tipping movers.’ Head to the ATM to withdraw cash for moving day if you plan to tip your movers. 

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Get up early by setting the alarm.During the move, protect your carpets and floorsTip your movers; they have worked for you all day.

Make your bed and unpack toiletries and shower curtain as soon as your movers leave. This makes shower and nap much easier as they are probably the first thing you will want to do after the move.Meet your neighbors.

You have probably eaten enough to take out, so go grocery shopping. You will be saved from unnecessary spending once you have food at home.To have privacy for your first night without curtains or shades yet, cover your windows with a sheet to sleep more comfortably.

Appreciate your broker or real estate agent as they are the reason behind your move to this beautiful new home. Send them a simple thank you note.

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Give your home a good, thorough cleaning during the first week after the move. These include dusting all surfaces, mopping and vacuuming. Arrange for a professional cleaning company to do the job for you during the first month if you lack time to do it yourself. Check the status of your security deposit with your old home landlord if it was a rented apartment. To avoid your check getting lost on the way, make sure the landlord knows your new address.

To get a good sense of the new neighborhood, bike, drive or walk around the town. You will be able to find places like museums, parks, libraries, grocery stores, pharmacies, schools, and hardware stores by exploring the town. If you have some specifications to check, make sure you have them listed in the moving checklist.

Changing the locks is one of the safe ways to keep your house secure since you have no idea whom the former residents gave their keys to during their stay in the house. Try installing an additional deadbolt if changing all the locks sounds a bit too expensive for you.

Try calling your city’s sanitation department or ask your neighbor to find out details on trash and recycling as it differs from one city to another. You need to change the batteries of your smoke alarms once you notice they are beeping. For each floor in your home, purchase a carbon monoxide detector. To identify any potential bug problems in your home, arrange for a local exterminator to visit your new home.

To ensure that they receive tax refunds and correspondence, those relocating should update their information with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). You can do this by using form 8822 to submit an address at any time or by writing the new address in the appropriate boxes on your tax return.

You may need to establish legal domicile for tax purposes if you are relocating into a new state. Check out the state’s official government website to find information on the numerous ways to establish a domicile in your new state of residence.

You will need to get a new driver’s license from your state’s DMV if you have a car. Some states required new residents to obtain a driver’s license within a particular period after moving in. You will probably need proof of your social security number, existing driver’s license, proof of residency, and any additional means of identification.

Highlight this task on your printable moving checklist to avoid last-minute hassles. To change your voter registration, call or visit your local town hall. You may be able to establish a domicile and register to vote the same day when you visit the DMV to get a driver’s license.

To ensure that your kid stays safe and sound in the new home, make sure you baby-proof the home during the first few weeks if you are moving with a baby. Begin with the removal of potentially dangerous packing materials immediately. You can as well continue by placing outlet covers over electrical outlets near the floor and set up baby gates to block stairs.

Introduce yourself to your new neighbors after you move in. Walk up to their doors, ring the doorbell and say hello to them. You might make a few new friends in the process as most people will appreciate the gesture.Look into registering your pet during the first few weeks after the move if you are moving into a new state or across country lines.

Many areas require owners to register their pets and purchase a license within a month of moving even though requirements differ, depending on the state. The purpose behind this is to ensure public safety by making sure that animals receive their necessary treatments.

Find a reputable local electrician to come to your house to check any outlets that are overheating or not working. They will also help with assessing whether your electrical panel needs to be updated or not and also help with hanging light fixtures if you ask them to.

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