Moving Tips

Moving can be a stressful time for the entire family. Volunteer Movers has established moving tips that will help make your move easier.

Planning a move: planning in advance
can ease the stress on moving day!

A month before moving:

Sort through your belongings to reduce the number of things you move.
Have a garage sale or donate items you no longer need to charity.
If you're moving a long distance, make travel arrangements with the airline, hotel, and rental car agency. If you're driving to your new home, get maps and plan your travel route.
Save all moving receipts, because some moving expenses may be tax deductible. Check the current tax code for requirements.
Be sure to place your legal, medical, financial, and insurance records in a safe and accessible place.
Start packing items that aren't regularly used such as off-season clothes and decorations and items in storage area (garage, attic and closets).
Make travel arrangements for your pets.
If you're driving, get your car tuned up.
Get medical records from your doctors, dentist, optometrist, and veterinarian.
Send items (rugs, drapes, clothing, quilts, and bedding) to cleaners.
Back up important computer files to floppy disk.

Two weeks before moving:

Contact your utility companies (gas, electric, water, cable, trash collector, and local phone service providers) and notify them of your move.
Sign up for services at your new address.
Contact your long distance phone company and notify them of your move.
Confirm your travel reservations.
Arrange to close or transfer your bank account, if appropriate. Pick up items from safety deposit box.

One week before moving:

Pick up items from the cleaners, repair shops, or friends.
Pack a survival kit of clothes, medicines, special foods, and so on to carry you through the day after arrival in your new home.
Finish packing all boxes minus what you'll need in the final week.
Inform the post office of your upcoming move.

Send change-of-address cards with your new address and telephone number to the following:

Friends and family
Banks, insurance companies, credit card companies, and other financial institutions
Magazines and newspapers
Doctors, lawyers, accountants, realtors, and other service providers
State and federal tax authorities and any other government agencies as needed
Workplace, schools, and Alma Maters
Voter Registration Office and Motor Vehicle Bureau
If you're driving, check the oil and gas in your car.
If you're traveling, make sure you have tickets, charge cards, and other essentials.

Carry with you on moving day:

The keys to your new home
Map of new town and directions to your house
The telephone number of the moving company
Cash or traveler's checks
Documentation related to the sale of your home
Your insurance policies and agent's phone number
Your current address book or personal planner
Prescription and non-prescription medicines
Any important personal records and documents
Any items of great personal value to you that is virtually irreplaceable (for example, a photo album)
Back-up copies of important computer files
Sheets and towels for the first night in your new home
Personal hygiene items (for example, toothpaste, soap, razor)

For additional information, download the following important documents: