What to do ? 

Generally moving is considered a very stressful part of life. But it can be smooth and effortless with proper planning and preparation. Here is a check-list spanning down the last six weeks for the move.

	Six Weeks Before Your Move
	To take or not to take:
	More weight – more money . So decide what’s coming with and what is being dumped ? Books you've read and will never read again? Records you haven't listened to since college? The pan with a broken handle or the children's long- neglected games?
	Check if you can sell anything .
	Colorful file:
	Open up a file for the details on your move. It could be a brightly colored organizer folder with pockets - you'll be less likely to misplace it. Make sure to collect receipts for moving-related expenses.
	Know tax deduction:
	Depending on your reason for moving, you may be entitled to a tax deduction.
	Floor plan:
	Start working on the arrangements in the new home like where you are going to place furniture etc. Mark and label specific pieces of furniture on your diagram, and put it in your moving folder. This makes the after-move work easy and stress free.

	Four Weeks Before Your Move
	Inform everyone the change of address:
	The post office, magazines, credit card companies and friends and family. The U. S. Postal Service offers a kit to make this process easier.
	Contact utilities
	contact the utility services like gas, water, electricity, telephone, cable TV etc., to schedule disconnection of services on the day following your move. You'll want to have utilities on while you're still in the house. Call the utilities in your new town to arrange for service to start the day before your move, so that you have service when you arrive at your new home. And don't forget to arrange for an expert, if necessary, to install fixtures upon their arrival at your new home.
	Repair:
	Complete any repair work on your old home, and arrange for any critical services needed at your new home.
	Self-packers:
	Start packing non essential and seldom used articles. Like fancy dishes and glasses, specialty cookware, clothing, curios, photos, and decorative items.
	Sale :
	In case you are planning a garage sale, pick a date at least 3-4 weeks before the move, and advertise it locally. You may also join hands with your neighbors who may also want to sell some of their belongings.

	Three Weeks Before Your Move
	Label:
	Self-packers: start your serious packing. Label the contents of all boxes, and pack carefully.
	Catalogue boxes:
	Box essential and similar items together, and write on them "Open First/Load Last" on these boxes. When you move into your new home, you'll be able to easily identify these boxes .
	Documents:
	Make sure you have your driver's license, auto registration and insurance records.
	Things to discard:
	Make note of the items which you will take with you and which you will discard.
	Medical records:
	Contact your doctors, dentist and veterinarian to receive copies of medical records.
	Old Pals:
	Make sure you have all the phone numbers and contact addresses of the old pals.
	Food Requirements:
	Your food requirements need to be addressed. Plan as little as possible because you can’t ship them.
	Children school:
	Contact your children's schools, and arrange for records to be forwarded to your new school district.
	Safe box:
	Make new bank safety deposit box arrangements in your new hometown. Make arrangements to safely transfer items from your old safe deposit box to your new one.
	Sale:
	Hold a garage sale now.
	Travel:
	Make personal travel arrangements (flights, hotel, rental cars) for your trip.

	Two Weeks Before Your Move
	Insurance:
	Check with your insurance company to cancel current coverage or transfer coverage to your new home.
	Pets:
	Make arrangements for transporting your pets and any house plants, because movers can't take them in the van.
	Bank A/c:
	Meet with your bank to change account status.
	Prescriptions:
	Transfer all current prescriptions to a drug store in your new town.
	News papers:
	Cancel any delivery services such as newspapers. Consider starting a subscription to the newspaper in your new town to introduce you to local news happenings.
	Servicing:
	Have your automobile serviced if you're traveling by car.
	Spare keys:
	Be sure to empty secret hiding places to remove valuables and spare house keys.

	One Week Before Your Move
	The lawn:
	Mow your lawn for the last time.
	Flammable items:
	Dispose of toxic or flammable items that can't be moved. Drain the gas and oil from gas-powered tools such as lawn mowers and snow blowers.
	To be with you on the move:
	Necessary items that should go in your car and not the moving van: your checkbook, cash or travelers checks, medications, essential toiletries, light bulbs, flashlight, toilet paper, pet food, spare glasses or contact lenses, baby or child care items, toys and car games for children and your notes containing moving information.
	A baby sitter:
	If you have young children, arrange for a baby-sitter to watch them on moving day and further till you settle down. So that the baby is not too distracted with the moving work, while you concentrate fully on that.
	Pack your own suitcase of clothes for the move.
	Special boxes:
	Put your "open first/load last" boxes in a separate place so the mover can identify them.
	Bills:
	Pay all outstanding bills. Be sure to indicate your new address on payment receipts.

	One To Two Days Before Your Move
	The packing:
	The movers will arrive to start the packing process.
	The Refrigerator:
	Empty and defrost your refrigerator and freezer, clean both with a disinfectant and let them air out. Put baking soda or charcoal inside to keep them fresh.
	Safe deposit box:
	Empty your safety deposit box. Plan to take important papers, jewelry, cherished family photos, irreplaceable mementos and vital computer files with you.
	Van operator:
	Write directions to your new home for the van operator, provide the new phone number and include phone numbers where you can be reached in transit - either a car phone or friends, old neighbors, a place of business or relatives with whom you'll be in contact. You'll never be out of touch for long, should an emergency arise.
	New occupants:
	Leave your forwarding address and phone number for your home's new occupants.
	Plus :
	Take down curtains and curtain rods. Empty, defrost and clean your refrigerator. Make sure it has at least 24 hours to air dry. Clean and air your stove. Plan your breakfast. Paper plates service is fine. Eating something on the road is better. Pack your personal belongings except your alarm clock. Go to sleep early ? you'll be glad of it tomorrow.

	Move Day
	DON’T HESITATE - ASK QUESTIONS !
	Keep children out of movers way. A baby sitter or a friend should be available; so that you can give your attention to movers, they will have questions for you.
	Select one particular room, preferably a small one like a bathroom for items not to be moved with the van lines, items you are taking with you, giving away, etc. Put a sign on the door, "ITEMS NOT TO BE MOVED" and keep door closed.
	Designate one bathroom for crew. Remove all personal items from this room.
	Never leave valuables in drawers or out in the open. If possible pack these items and place in your "ITEMS NOT TO BE MOVED" room, or your locked vehicle.
	Make sure you hear from the driver atleast 24hrs before the move. If you don't, call the van line and have them get a hold of the driver to remind him or her of 24 hr precall.
	Have a few extra cartons of different sizes available for last minute packing on move day.
	Do not make plans to leave town during the dates for loading or unloading, unless you have a responsible person to sign your paperwork after the work is completed.
	Please once again read your contract and the payment particulars. Is it COD, credit card or an account move? Credit card needs approval before loading. COD payments are expected before unloading at the destination and should be certified funds. You should be notified of the cost by the agency handling your move, after the driver has finished loading and weighing your shipment.

	Loading Concern:
	Talk to your driver about concerns and your plans.
	Direct concerns to your driver not the CREW !
	You are paying for the move, therefore you are the BOSS.
	We recommend providing drinks (NO alcohol!) and possibly lunch if you feel like
	Small gestures of goodwill go a long way with the crew.
	Tips should be considered if applicable. Remember that most of the cases tips are not mandatory in which case need you not pay the tip if you don’t feel like paying.
	Weighing your shipment
	Weight is costly – true that a large factor in determining the cost of the move is its weight. The truck should have empty weight when it arrives at origin. You may ask to see the ticket, your name and contract number should be written on the ticket. The date should be no more than one day old. Beware of weight tickets from other states and dated two or three days prior, they may not reflect accurate weights. Watch your animals on the load day. If they are not contained they could get onto the van and get lost amongst the items while loading.
	Miscellaneous
	Floor covering should be used in your home on load day and upon delivery. DO NOT use tape on wood.
	Stair railings, banisters, etc should be covered with pads.
	Check walls, doors, etc for damage before and after the move.
	Do a complete walk through after the driver and crew have finished loading.
	Check closets, drawers, cabinets, patios, sheds, crawl space and attics for any forgotten items.
	Storage units that are not at residence should be shown to and discussed with salesperson. There is an extra charge for loading out of a storage unit.
	You can leave items in your dresser, chest of drawers, night stands, hutches, etc as long as they are not valuable or breakable, it will save space, cartons and money.
	COMMUNICATION, SINCERITY, HONESTY is very important for a good move.
	After the move
	Relax a bit and make others comfortable.
	Give your new home a good cleaning.
	Locate your local Post Office, police, fire stations , hospitals and gas stations near your home.
	Mail that has been forwarded from your old address via the post offices forwarding system will have a yellow address label on it. Notify the sender of your new address.
	Search the neighborhood for shopping areas.
	Call the Department of Sanitation in your new town to find out which day the trash is collected. Also ask whether your new community has recycling programs.
	Seek out the service providers such as a bank, cleaners, veterinarian.
	Register to vote. Call your local board of elections for specific registration information. Also ask them how to notify your previous voting district of your change of address.
	If you have moved into a different state, contact the Department of Motor Vehicles to exchange your driver's license.
	Transfer insurance policies to an agent in your new community.