Relocation Checklist
The most important aspect of a successful move is pre-planning. The more organization and planning you have in place, the less stressful your move will be.
Six (6) Weeks before Moving Day:
• Book rental truck and/or moving company
• Gather packing supplies
• Start packing early!
• Sort through your belongings as you pack, getting rid of the things you don’t want or need at your new home.
• Set aside important, hard-to-replace items in one spot, such as legal documents, family photos, jewelry and heirlooms. You will carry these items with you on moving day.
• Begin keeping track of people and places you will need to notify of your change of address.
Four (4) Weeks before Moving Day:
• Find ways to familiarize your children for the new home, particularly for out-of-area moves. For instance, if moving to a Tahoe home, you could read books on Tahoe, visit local Tahoe websites, identify current favorite places that also have a location in Tahoe, etc.
• If you are renting, provide your landlord or management company with notice. Include your new forwarding and contact information.
• Contact your current utility providers and services with shut-off dates. It is best to schedule shut-off for the day after you move. Go through your bills to make sure you contacted everyone. Did you include water, sewer, trash, electricity, gas, cable, internet and phone, newspaper delivery, etc?
• Notify post office of change-of-address. Mail change of address forms at this time.
The post office free forwarding schedule:
• 12 Months – First Class, Priority, and Express Mail (unless return request by sender)
• 12 Months – Local Parcel Post (packages over 12 oz)
• 2 Months – Magazines
• Note: Out-of-area Parcel Post can be forwarded for up to 12 months at an additional cost
Three (3) Weeks before Moving Day:
• Register your children for their new school(s)
• Begin to research new health care providers for your family
Two (2) Weeks before Moving Day:
• Contact your phone company to transfer service. You can request to transfer your current phone number or request a new number. Either way, it is important to have phone and internet service in place at move in.
• Contact utility providers for your new address. Use the utility provider list from your old address to be sure you are starting all necessary services. In addition to telephone and internet services, your electric, water, and gas should be immediately available. Schedule these services for connection the day prior to move in.
• Arrange for cable installation at your new address.
• Make plans for the transfer of pets and/or plants. Most moving companies do not provide this service.
• If you have hazardous materials, contact 1-800-cleanup to arrange proper disposal.
• If you are traveling out-of-area, have your vehicle(s) serviced.
One (1) Week before Moving Day
• If you are moving out-of-area or will be unable to move into your new residence immediately, make hotel reservations.
• Back-up all computer files
• Update or change bank accounts
• Put together you and all family members’ important medical information. Keep these available!
• Pack up the important items you’ve been setting aside since Week Six (6). Clearly mark these boxes.
One (1) Day before Moving Day
Pack a survival kit. Include enough essentials to last the entire family at least 24 hours:
• Personal – Eyeglasses, medication, clothing
• Bedroom – pillow and blankets
• Bathroom – towels, soap, shampoo, toilet paper, toothbrushes and paste, etc
• Kitchen – Snacks, paper towels, disposable utensils, cups and plates, drinks, phone number for the local pizza delivery service
• Cleaning – broom, dustpan, vacuum, sponges, cleaning products, etc
• Tools – hammer, screwdrivers (Phillips and standard flat head), knife, scissors, tape, etc
• Other – pay for movers; House keys and directions to new home
When the time comes to move to or from the Truckee real estate area considering contacting me anytime. I would be happy to walk you through the process and assist in any way I can.
