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Before Your Move
One-two months before....
- Put together a 'moving book' to keep notes of what you need
do, what you've done etc.
- Use this checklist to help you assess what you need to do and
when and write out your own plan.
- Buy a file to store all the documentation and paperwork
associated with the move.
- If you haven't got a moving company yet, GET ONE!
- If you need to move vehicles, pets or specialist items and
you need outside help start sorting it out now.
- If you need to use storage facilities look at your options
and book it.
- Make a list of everyone you need to notify of your change of
address.
- Start contacting key financial providers such as your bank or
other institutions to have your details changed and to start up
the process of cancelling/setting up automatic payments and/or
accounts etc.
- Notify schools and employers of change of address. If moving
out of the area you'll need to register your kids for a new
school.
- Start packing non-essential stuff (it's never too soon to
begin!) whenever you have some free time.
- Buy, hire, beg, borrow or steal suitable boxes and containers
to pack your stuff into.
- Talk to your doctor, dentist, veterinarian etc., to notify
them of your change of address or to come off their books if
necessary. In some cases you may need to get copies of your
records to take with you. If moving abroad ask about vaccinations
etc. If you or your family (or pets) have regular medical
prescriptions, get them filled to cover you throughout the moving
process. If you're moving out of the area ask for referrals to
new practices.
- Contact all of your insurers (home, vehicle, medical etc) to
notify them of your move. Ask your home insurer for details of
your existing coverage for the actual and arrange new coverage or
a transfer to your new home.
- Get a lockable box and start putting in important documents
as you come across them.
- Give all service providers such as gardeners, domestic help
and regular delivery services notice that you will be moving.
Cancel or change any subscriptions or memberships you have.
- Send out change of address notices to friends and family if
you have a firm moving date now. You'll have less time as the
days pass so it's good to get this out of the way.
- Get a form from your local Post Office for their mail
forwarding service, fill it in and send it off.
- Start making an inventory of your goods and take
photos/videos of valuable items.
- Complete any repairs to your home that you are committed
to.
Two-three weeks before......
- Contact utility companies and service providers to arrange to
have your appliances/services disconnected and, if necessary,
reconnected in your new home.
- Move your packing up a gear. Take a room a day and start
packing up stuff you don't use regularly.
- Take back library books, pick up dry-cleaning and think about
any other similar things you may have pending in the area.
- Have your car(s) serviced.
- Start living off your store cupboard and freezer and stop
buying frozen or perishable food - you can't really take it with
you and it'll make the move easier.
- Put aside a box/boxes for personal/essential items that you
want to take with you yourself rather than have the movers take.
Start putting stuff in it as you come across it. Mark it DO NOT
MOVE so your movers don't load it by mistake.
- Pack up your garage and any stuff that is stored in your
yard, garden or sheds.
- Empty your lawnmower and power tools of fuel etc.
- Dispose of anything that is flammable or hazardous.
- Think about what you're going to do with the kids!
One week before.....
- Call your mover and any other companies involved with the
move (vehicle movers, storage facilities etc) and confirm all of
your arrangements, times etc.
- Carry on packing!
- Start taking apart furniture that needs to be
disassembled.
- Check that your new home is still set to be insured.
- Make sure all your outstanding bills are paid.
One-two days before.....
- Defrost and clean your refrigerator/freezer and secure major
appliances such as washing machines/cookers etc. Make sure that
utility companies are confirmed to disconnect services/take meter
readings etc.
- Finish taking apart furniture that needs to be
disassembled.
- Sort out any plants you're taking with you.
- Check that all the paperwork related to your house
sale/rental/purchase is complete.
- Close bank accounts if necessary.
- Finish your major packing.
- Pack up your PC and other electrical equipment. Write down
the serial numbers in your moving book.
- Put together a box of essentials for the move such as tea,
coffee, mugs, sugar, tools, paper and pen and cleaning
materials.
- Make sure all boxes are clearly marked/labelled.
- Start cleaning the house as you go along.
- Make sure you have all the documents related to your move to
hand.
During Your Move
Moving day at your old home.....
- Get up early and don't panic!
- Take bedding off beds and pack it up.
- Walk your movers through the house, tell them what you need
them to do and take their advice on the actual loading.
- Make sure your movers know where they are going.
- Give the house a final clean.
- Leave a note of your name, new address and contact number for
the new residents of your home so they can forward any mail that
slips through the cracks.
- Have a final walk round to check you've remembered everything
- do this BEFORE the moving vehicle leaves!
- Make sure you have keys to your new home and drop off your
current keys as you've arranged.
- Make sure you load everything you're taking yourself in the
car and lock it!
- Switch everything off, lock up and leave!
Moving day at your new home.....
- Check everything is working such as power, gas etc - if not,
call the utilities companies to find out why not!
- Supervise the unloading process to get everything where you
want it.
- Offer the movers a drink and snack!
- Clean before you start unpacking.
- Start unpacking essentials.
After Your Move
- Unpack logically working down from essential to non-essential
items.
- Reassemble your furniture when you have time.
- Don't worry about filling wardrobes immediately if you have
hired/bought special wardrobe boxes. They can hang perfectly well
in there until you have time to put them away properly.
- Get all of your major appliances ready for use again and hook
them up.
- Unpack all electrical items as quickly as possible and check
for damage - you may have a limited window for insurance
claims.
- Register to vote and for any other local government
purposes.
- Check your mail is being forwarded to your new address.
- Register with a doctor, dentist, veterinarian etc.
- If necessary change your driver's license and car details
etc.
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