Planning a move can be a stressful and difficult process and it gets worse on the actual day of your move – it is downright overwhelming. What can lessen the pressure, though, is knowing what you need to get done in a particular order. This will help put your mind at ease when the day comes for you to vacate your place and move into the new one.
To keep the chaos at bay, you will need a local moving checklist to guide you through the process. Many of the tasks on the local moving checklist can be done in advance, so do yourself a favor by getting organized in advance. By being ready, you will be able to handle the ordeal of moving without distraction or worry.
8 Weeks Before the Move
- Get organized – If you plan on obtaining the services of a moving company, you’ll need to organize that as early as 2 months before the move. Decide which moving company you will be working with and agree on a schedule; there are chances that someone has beaten you to the date you want to move. Set aside a folder where you can put all paperwork related to the move or have a notebook where you can jot down all your notes.
- Sort your belongings – Decide what items you want to donate, discard, and keep.
7 Weeks Before the Move
- Plan a garage sale – Go through your belongings and find things you don’t want to bring to the new location. Possessions you can easily purchase and clothes you haven’t worn in a while can be sold. It is a good way to lighten the load and make a few bucks to spend on moving expenses.
- Buy moving supplies – You will need boxes of various sizes, markers, bubble wrap, and packing tape.
6 Weeks Before the Move
- If you’re moving hours away from where you currently live, go to your family doctor and get copies of your family’s medical records.
- Inform your children’s schools of the upcoming move and obtain copies of school records. This is also a good time to check the enrollment process in schools near your new residence.
5 Weeks Before the Move
- Finalize everything with the moving company. Call the company you’ve picked and confirmed the date, time, and details of the move.
4 Weeks Before the Move
- Notify your landlord – If you’re renting a home, let your landlord know and ask when you can have the security deposit returned.
- Notify utilities – Process the closing out utility service at the current place and get utilities set up at your new residence.
- Begin packing non-essentials – Place things you won’t need right away inside boxes and make sure you label the box flaps.
3 Weeks Before the Move
- Change your address – Go to the USPS website and complete a change of address form. Inform credit card companies and banks of your new address.
- Plan your food situation – Plan ahead to have nothing left in your refrigerator; use up food or canned goods that you don’t want to take with you. Check your pantry and make sure anything that is opened is consumed.
- Take care of your car – Have it serviced and check with your insurance company about transferring your policy.
- Pets and plants – Make arrangements to get your plants and animals to your new home.
2 Weeks Before the Move
- Coordinate your valuables – If you have heirlooms and jewelry, separate them from the main move. Don’t mix them up with your other items. Keep them in a safe place and transport them yourself.
- Proper disposal – Get rid of items that can’t be moved, like paint, cleaning materials, and propane.
- Make a clean move – Make arrangements to have your new place thoroughly cleaned. You wouldn’t want to move to a dirty house.
1 Week Before the Move
- Pack an essential kit – There will be items you will need right away at your new place. Prepare a backpack or suitcase filled with these needed things and don’t load it on the truck.
- Confirm with movers – Check with your mover and confirm the date and time of the move. Make sure you have the same schedule.
1 Day Before the Move
- Defrost and clear – Clean out the refrigerator and freezer, check the pantry and cupboards for any open food items and get rid of them.
- Keep important documents handy – Any paperwork related to the move should be ready. Keep them in your bag at all times.
Moving Day
- Collaborate with your movers – Help them identify large and fragile items right away. Be there when they load the boxes into the truck and verify if they have loaded everything. Sign the bill of lading when after you have made sure everything is accounted for.
- One final sweep – Do a final check and make sure nothing is left behind.
Getting ready for the big moving day shouldn’t be as tiresome with this detailed local moving checklist. As long as you follow this local moving checklist, everything should go smoothly.