The Ultimate Moving Checklist

Eliminate Uncertainty with a Moving Plan

As the Auburn Hills moving professionals, we has the best suggestions to keep everything in order during your forthcoming move. We compiled the Ultimate Moving Checklist to help you stay organized. From obtaining a moving estimate, to setting up your utilities, professional services, preparing your items for the move—we got it all covered here.

8 Weeks Out: Schedule an In-Home or Virtual Estimate

• It's the time to contact us for a moving estimate. Schedule an appointment for a move representative to view your property (either in-person or online), discuss your move details and prepare a moving quote.
• If your employer is paying for your move, refer to their moving quote policy to determine what services your employer will cover.
• Do you want to do any of the packing yourself—or will you have it done by our professional packers? We are eager to discuss all the packing options with you.
• Provide your move representative everything that will be moved. Any items you fail to disclose or that are added later to the shipment will increase the cost, even if you have been given a binding moving quote.
• Review the “Your Rights and Responsibilities” to be certain that you understand the extent of your liability.

7 Weeks Out: Sign your estimate and book your move

• Approve your moving quote| only after you fully understand the form. If you have issues, be sure to consult your sales representative. We want to assist you in any way we can.
• Secure your relocation date and reconfirm your moving plan when you officially book your relocation.
• Keep the phone number and identity of your moving consultant within reach, and feel free to seek information or ask for more moving tips.

6 Weeks Out: Notify Your Utilities and Service Providers

• To ensure your mail gets to your new address, notify the post office that you’re moving. You can fill out an online Change of Address form on the United States Postal Service website.
• Change your address with your financial institutions, insurance companies, credit card companies, and magazine subscriptions.
• Update your information with doctors, attorneys, financial planners, and other service providers.

5 Weeks Out: Determine what to toss, sell or give away

• Go through every area in your house to decide on what will move with you and what will stay behind.
• Host a garage sale to dispose of any stuff you don't want.
• Donate your unwanted clothing, furniture or other items for the home (pots, pans, dishes, bedding, etc.) to your favorite Auburn Hills charities. Don’t forget to grab receipts showing the items’ value for possible tax deductions.
• If you are packing yourself, start now so you are not panicked at the last minute. Some items that are good to start with are books, off-season clothes, decorative items.

4 Weeks Out: Check in with your mover

• Notify your moving consultant if you make changes to the items you're moving or if there are any changes in dates.
• Be sure that your point of contact has your updated address and phone contact where you can be reached easily.
• Double-check that your point of contact knows of any additional stops needed to pick up or deliver goods to a secondary location – make sure this is listed on your moving quote.

3 Weeks Out: Prepare your friends and family

• Take your family for final visits to some of the places that hold happy memories.
• Have a farewell party for children and their friends.
• Have fun… an outdoor barbecue. Keep it simple.
• Make family travel arrangements. Book accommodations and flight tickets as needed.
• If driving, have your auto mechanic check out your car. (check tires, brakes, windshield wipers, fluids, belts, etc.).
• If you are flying, make sure you have your airfare and other necessary transportation booked.
• consider about what belongings you’ll need for the trip and for your first night in your new home. Put them in a separate area so they won’t accidentally get packed.
• You must dispose of flammables such as fireworks, cleaning fluids, matches, acids, chemistry sets, aerosol cans, ammunition, and poisons such as weed killer. Empty fuel from your power mower and other machinery and be sure all caps are secure. Throw away partly used cans of oil, paint, thinner, bleach or any other chemicals that are flammable or combustible or those stored in containers that could leak. Please read the full list of prohibited items.
• Dispose of propane tanks for barbecues.
• Arrange to have utilities disconnected. Plan to keep utilities in service through moving day.
• Have rugs and draperies cleaned. Leave them wrapped when they are returned from the cleaners.
• Obtain a written appraisal of antique items to verify value. Avoid waxing or oiling wooden antiques (and fine wood furniture) prior to moving because some products could soften the wood, making it susceptible to damage.
• Do not clean your upholstered furniture before moving. Moisture may cause mold if furniture has to be placed in storage.

2 Weeks Out: Plan for your pets

• Make sure you have arranged transportation for your pets. If you need to kennel them or entrust them with friends, double-check those plans now.
• Take your pets to the vet and ensure you have any required vaccination records or immunizations – every state has different rules.
• Retrieve anything you had cleaned, stored or fixed.
• Clear out your locker at the club, pool hall or other facility.
• Give back anything you’ve loaned from colleagues, including library books.
• Collect any auto-refilled medications that may be available.
• Be sure you have not missed any of the essential belongings.
• Have you packed or eliminated everything that’s not moving? Be sure to advise your relocation specialist to see if that alters your moving quote.
• Have you confirmed all the details with your move coordinator?

1 Week to go: Last minute details

• Make sure that all mechanical and electrical equipment is adequately prepped for shipping prior to the arrival of the moving truck. As usual, contact your move coordinator with any concerns.
• Continue preparing and packing, selling, and organizing your belongings accordingly.

One Day Away

• Highlight any fragile items needing special treatment. If certain items should not be packed or moved, label them clearly. Labels work well for this!
• Mark any items or boxes you’ll want immediately when the truck gets to your new home (valuables, electronics, etc.).
• If you’re doing the packing yourself, make sure everything is ready to go before moving day. When they arrive, the van operator will look to be sure boxes have been properly packed.
• If Corrigan is helping you pack, gather things you definitely want packed together, such as children’s toys, and group them in separate groups.
• Turn off all electronic appliances 24 hours prior to the move, except older plasma televisions, so that they will be at room temperature on moving day. This includes home computers, stereos and audio/video equipment.

Moving day

 

• Make it a point to be on hand to see that all of your goods are loaded; remain nearby until loading is done. After making a final tour of the house, double-check and sign the inventory list. Get your copy from the mover and keep it in a secure location.
• Your move manager will check in with you on load day to be sure your expectations are being met. Keep your phone handy!
• There will be some required paperwork on the big day:
• High-Value Inventory Form: complete and sign stating whether items of extraordinary value are included in the shipment.
• Bill of Lading: states the terms and conditions under which your belongings will be moved and it also serves as your receipt for the shipment.
• Let the van operator know how to contact you, including mobile numbers, email address, and destination address, pending the arrival of your belongings at your new home.

Take a last look around

• Did you shut off the water?
• Are the furnace and air conditioner turned off?
• Did you switch off light switches turned off?
• Did you arrange for disconnection?
• Are the windows shut and locked?
• Have you returned the old house keys?
• Have you left anything in small closets or cabinets?

Delivery day

• Be on hand to accept delivery. If you are unable to be there physically, be sure you authorize an adult to be your proxy to accept delivery and pay any applicable charges for you.
• Having two adults on-site is preferred for delivery. One can direct the crew and answer questions, the other may solely be in charge of marking off the inventory and ensuring all items have been delivered.
• On the day of delivery, the van operator will attempt to contact you by phone and may visit your new home if they are unable to reach you. If you or an authorized individual cannot accept delivery of your belongings within the allocated time (i.e., two hours) you may request more waiting time until the delivery can be made.
• Check your household goods as they’re unloaded. If there are any discrepancies in the condition of your property from what is noted on the inventory, mark discrepancies on the van operator’s copy of the inventory. When you sign the inventory, you are accepting receipt and condition of all items listed.
• When unloading, each piece of furniture will be positioned as you direct, including the laying of rugs and re-assembling any beds taken apart at origin.
• It always helps to have a guide. Place a floor plan of your new home near the entrance, so the movers can determine where each piece of furniture should go.
• Keep all documents pertaining to your move in a safe place. You will need them for claiming moving expenses when you file your federal income tax returns.
• To prevent damage, leave appliances and electronics turned off for about one day while they adjust to new room temperatures.

Settling in: one week after move

• Now is the time to make it official! Check in with your local post office for any mail being held and ask for delivery to begin.
• Check state (and local) requirements for vehicle registration and a driver's license.
• You could consider to select an attorney to discuss legal requirements that pertain to your new state, county and/or town. Be sure to cover such matters as wills, property transfers, and investments, insurance regulations, inheritance laws, taxes, etc. Most laws apply as soon as residence in the new state or city is established.