Moving Made Easy

Moving Check List: TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE MOVE Decide What Gets Moved Sort through your attic, basement, closets, cupboards, chests and shelves. There’s no use packing and shipping things you don’t need or want. Have a garage sale or donate unwanted items to charitable organizations. Keep all receipts for tax purposes. Select a moving company, if you are using one Ask your friends and relatives who have moved recently if they can recommend their mover. Moving companies provide free estimates. Obtain at least three. Be sure and ask the moving company the following questions. What type of insurance coverage does the moving company provide? It is usually very limited. Request a certificate of Insurance. It is a good idea to find out if your homeowners insurance policy covers “goods in transit” (house hold goods during the moving process). Most do not. Are there additional charges for weekend moves? Are there any additional charges for packing supplies? Do they provide all the services you will need? Out of state Shipments? Short term or long term storage in a climate controlled environment? How and when are payments to be made? Do they accept personal checks or credit cards? Get the names and phone numbers of at least three former clients for references. ONE MONTH BEFORE THE MOVE Move Your Mail Instruct the post office to forward your mail by filling out an official Change of Address Form. Mail forwarding is free. Next, fill out change of address cards. These are free of charge but you will need to supply the postage. You can also print these cards yourself from the U.S. Postal Service’s website at www.usps.gov. Notify the IRS It’s tempting to try and avoid the IRS, but it’s not a good idea. You need to let the IRS know your new address. Call 800/829-3676 to get form #8833 or go to the IRS website at www.irs.gov. Utility Services Contact current telephone, electric, gas, cable and water companies to confirm the specific date on which to discontinue services. Make sure you keep the electric, telephone and water connected through your moving day. Contact utility companies to confirm turn-on-dates. Household Services Notify all regular household services – lawn care, security companies, trash pick-up, newspaper delivery – of your vacating date and make your final payment arrangements. Use Up Your Food Use up your existing food. It is also a good idea to reduce your supply of canned and packaged goods. This will be one less box to pack and unpack. Medical Records Ask you present physician(s), dentist and veterinarian for referrals if you are moving to a new town. Transfer all medical records and get copies of all your prescriptions. Home Owners Insurance If you currently own a home check your Home Owners Insurance Policy. Any prepaid balance may be applied to your new residence. Be sure to coordinate with your insurance carrier so that your new residence is covered immediately. ONE WEEK BEFORE THE MOVE Valuables Do not ship any valuables (jewelry, legal documents, money, insurance policies, etc.) if you are using a moving company. Carry them with you or send them certified or insured mail. Don’t forget to check your safe-deposit box. Toss Flammables Dispose of any paints, motor oils, bleaches, matches, insecticides, gasoline, ammunition, fireworks, cleaning and lighting fluids, and any other hazardous materials before you move. Give them to a neighbor or dispose of them at your local hazardous materials drop-off site. If you’re in doubt whether or not something might be dangerous, always use your better judgement and don’t pack it. All aerosol cans (including hair sprays, shaving creams and deodorants) should be discarded, or packed and carried with you. Make a “Right-Away Kit” Pack a box with paper plates, plastic cups and utensils, paper towels, bathroom tissue, aspirin, prescription medicines, a first-aid kit, shampoo, soap, cleaning supplies, tools and nails – any thing you think you will need right away. MOVING DAY Check Every Room Walk through every room in the house or apartment and make sure that nothing is left behind before you vacate. If you are using a moving company Check Mover’s Inventory Make sure that you agree with the mover’s judgement on the condition of your household goods. Take photographs of the items if there is a dispute. MAKE SURE YOU GET A COPY OF THE INVENTORY Check Bill Of Lading Make sure it is complete before you sign it. Get a copy for your records. Who Has Your Stuff Record the driver’s name and ID number and make sure he as the contact numbers of the new residence. Confirm the directions to your new home.