Week By Week Move Planning Guide
Moving can be a traumatic experience, both for adults and children. Use this planner to get organised and have a smooth, hassle-free move.
6-8 Weeks to countdown
Organisation is the key to a hassle-free move and this is the time to start getting the details of your move.
• Decide what's going with you to your new home. If you decide to dispose of items that you don't need you should either donate them to a charity or consider having a garage sale or 'home auction'. Contact a local charity or pick a date at least two weeks before moving date for the garage sale. Advertise the garage sale locally.
• Start collecting suitable moving and packing supplies if you plan to do your own packing. You can purchase all these materials from a moving supply company, or speak to your local supermarket about taking boxes off their hands. Bear in mind that all boxes that you purchase from a moving company are specially designed for the moving industry to prevent any damages to your belongings. Getting boxes from other sources may create some difficulties when packed in the van. These boxes may be unusual sizes and they may not be strong enough to prevent damages to items packed inside.
• Think about your new home layout and start thinking about where you'll place the furniture. Create a floor plan of your new home that will prevent the stress of making decisions when your furniture arrives at your new home.
• All travel arrangements (hotel, flights, car rental, etc.) for your family should be made at this time. Try to keep your plan flexible as possible to accommodate any schedule changes or delays.
• Finalise all real estate and rental needs.
• Contact your insurance agent to transfer medical, property, fire and auto insurance.
• If you're in for a long-distance haul, all medical and dental records should be stored to be safe and easily accessible. Be sure to include prescription, vaccination records and eyeglass specifications.
4-5 Weeks to countdown
• Contact the Post Office for the Change of Address form to advise of your move.
• Inform all your debtors / creditors of your new postal details.
• Organize your move by deciding and making lists of what items you will not transport, what items your van line agent will move and what items you will move yourself.
• Make a decision on who will do most of the packing or all the packing. It is a good idea that you let the moving company do most of the packing. They know the best methods for keeping items safe; that's what they do for a living.
• Get your kids involved with the moving process. Let them do some packing and suggest a layout for their new room. Make it fun and exciting for them to move.
3 Weeks to countdown
• Notify your agent if there are any changes in the dates of your move. If you will need any additional accessorial service such as piano moving, packing and unpacking, storage you should inform the moving company for pricing information. Also inform them if you add or subtract items from your planned shipment.
• Make transportation arrangements for your pets. Take your pets to your veterinarian to ensure proper up to date health certificates and rabies inoculations.
• Return any borrowed items such as library books. Also collect all items that are being repaired stored or cleaned (clothing, shoes etc).
2 Weeks to countdown
• Transfer all prescriptions to a pharmacy in your new city. Call your bank to find out how to transfer your accounts. Clear all your safety deposits boxes.
• Disassemble and disconnect your computer system before your move. Back up all your computer files on a disk. Consider taking all back up files disks with you in the car. Exposure to extreme temperatures can damage your software.
• Make final packing decisions. Clean and clear your home.
• Dispose of items that represent a hazard and are not allowed to be shipped.
• Tape and seal all cleaning fluids that are non-toxic, non-flammable in plastic bags.
• Drain your lawn mower, power tools of all the oil and gasoline to ensure safe transportation.
• If you need to store anything call your moving company about storage options available.
• Inform municipal and telephone services of your move. Arrange to have them disconnected from your present home the day after your scheduled moving day. Sign up for services at your new address and connect them on your moving in day.
1 Week to countdown
• Make sure to mark which items you'll take yourself, so the movers won't take them or have any questions.
• Make sure you haven't overlooked anything in the house.
• Mark your boxes to be shipped with "Fragile", "Do Not Load", "Load Last" stickers.
• Empty, defrost and clean your refrigerator, freezer and clean your stove, all at least 24 hours before moving to let them air out. Try using baking soda to get rid of any odours.
• Prepare items you will need while your goods are in transit. Pack your suitcases and confirm travel arrangements for you and your family. Try to keep plans as flexible as possible in the event of unexpected delay or schedule change.
• Make sure your agent knows the address and phone number your new home. You should also provide an address and phone number of where you can be reached until you will get to your new home.
1 Day to countdown
• Pack a box of things you'll need as soon as you arrive at your new home. (This might include non-aerosol cleaning supplies, disposable plates and cups, light tools, snacks, bathroom items, rubbish bags and TOILET ROLLS!)
• Take this box with you or have the driver load it last and unload first. This is usually the day packing is done.
• Make sure all packing services have been performed before you sign for them.
• Defrost, thoroughly clean and dry refrigerator.
Ta Da - It's time to move!
• Be on hand when the driver arrives and throughout the loading process. (If you won't be there, make sure someone will be there to direct the movers. Make sure the driver has in writing the name and phone number of that person.)
• Accompany the driver during inventory. Check on the condition of your goods as they are loaded.
• Make a final tour of your home. See that nothing is overlooked.
• Sign the bill of lading and make sure your new address and phone number are correct.
• Lock all windows and doors, and turn off all switches.