| | 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. |