The Ultimate Moving Checklist

Eliminate Uncertainty with a Moving Plan

As the leader in the moving industry, Corrigan Moving Systems knows the best tips to stay organized during your upcoming move. We created the Ultimate Moving Checklist to help you stay organized. From requesting a quote, to managing your utilities13, getting expert help, 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 quote. Schedule a meeting for a move representative to view your home (either in-person or virtually), discuss your move details and prepare a moving estimate.
• If your employer is paying for your move, refer to their moving quote guidelines to determine what services your employer will cover.
• Do you prefer to do any of the packing—or will you have it done by our packers? We are eager to discuss all the packing services with you.
• Show 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 ensure that you understand the extent of your liability.

7 Weeks Out: Sign your estimate and book your move

• Sign your moving quote| only after you make sure that you understand the document. If you have concerns, be sure to ask your moving consultant. We want to provide all the help that you may need.
• Lock in your moving day and confirm your relocation strategy when you book your move.
• Keep the telephone number and identity of your relocation specialist handy, and feel free to inquire or ask for more helpful hints.

6 Weeks Out: Notify Your Utilities and Service Providers

• To be sure 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 providers, credit cards, and magazines.
• Change your information with doctors, attorneys, financial planners, and any other professional services.

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

• Go through every space in your house to sort through what will go with you and what will be left behind.
• Host a garage sale to dispose of any things you don’t need.
• Donate your excess clothing, furniture or other items for the home (pots, pans, dishes, bedding, etc.) to your preferred area charities. Don’t forget to grab receipts showing the items’ approximate value for possible tax deductions.
• If you are packing yourself, get started so you are not overwhelmed at the final stages. Some items that are good to start with are books, off-season clothes, decorative items.

4 Weeks Out: Check in with your mover

• Inform your moving consultant if you add or subtract items from your planned moving quote or if there are any changes in dates.
• Be sure that your moving contact has your future address and phone number where you can be reached.
• Make sure that your moving contact knows of any extra locations to pick up or deliver goods to a different address – confirm this is included in your moving quote.

3 Weeks Out: Prepare your friends and family

• Take the family for a last visit to some of their favorite places that hold happy memories.
• Have a farewell party for the children and their friends.
• Have fun… an informal get-together. Keep it simple.
• Book family travel reservations. Book hotel rooms and airfare 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 items you will have to have 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.
• Dispose of any flammable items such as fireworks, cleaning fluids, matches, acids, chemistry sets, aerosol cans, ammunition, and poisons such as weed killer. Empty gasoline from your lawnmower and other yard tools and make sure all caps are tight. Discard partly used cans of oil, paint, thinner, bleach or any other liquids that may be flammable or combustible or those stored in containers that may leak. Please read the full list of prohibited items.
• Dispose of propane tanks for barbecues.
• Arrange to have utilities disconnected. Plan to keep utilities on through moving day.
• Have rugs and draperies cleaned. Leave them wrapped when they’re returned from the cleaners.
• Get a written appraisal for your antiques. Avoid waxing or oiling wooden antiques (and fine wood furniture) prior to moving because some of these products may soften the wood, making it susceptible to being damaged.
• Avoid cleaning your upholstered furniture before moving. Moisture could cause mold if furniture is 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 leave them with friends, verify those plans now.
• Bring your pets to the vet and make sure you have all required vaccination records or immunizations – every state has unique requirements.
• Retrieve anything you had cleaned, stored or repaired.
• Clear out your locker at the gym, bowling alley or other facility.
• Return anything you’ve loaned from neighbors, including library books.
• Retrieve any recurring medications that may be available.
• Make sure you have not missed any of the essential belongings.
• Have you packed or disposed of everything that’s not being moved? Be sure to inform your moving agent to see if that alters your moving quote.
• Have you verified all the specifics with your relocation coordinator?

1 Week to go: Last minute details

• Ensure that all mechanical and electrical equipment is properly serviced for shipping prior to the arrival of the truck. As usual, speak to your move coordinator with any questions.
• Continue preparing and packing, selling, and preparing your stuff accordingly.

One Day Away

• Identify any extra-fragile items needing extra care. If certain belongings should not be packed or moved, tag them appropriately. Sticky notes work well for this!
• Mark any items or boxes you will want right away when the truck unloads at your new home (valuables, electronics, etc.).
• If you’re packing yourself, make sure everything is prepared before moving day. When they get there, the van operator will check to make sure boxes have been packed correctly.
• If Corrigan is helping you pack, gather things you definitely want packed together, such as children’s toys, and organize them in separate groups.
• Unplug 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 make sure that all of your things are loaded; remain nearby until loading is complete. After making a final tour of the house, inspect and sign the inventory. Get your copy of the inventory from the van operator and store it securely.
• Your move manager will check in with you on load day to ensure your expectations are being met. Keep your smartphone handy!
• There will be some necessary paperwork on moving day:
  • High-Value Inventory Form: complete and sign stating if any items of extraordinary value are included in the shipment.
  • Bill of Lading: states the terms and conditions under which your goods are moved and it also serves as your receipt for the shipment.
• Let the van operator know how to contact you, including telephone numbers, email address, and new address, pending the arrival of your belongings at your new home.

Take a last look around

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

Delivery day

• Be present to accept delivery. If you are unable to be there physically, be sure you designate an adult to be your proxy to accept delivery and pay any applicable charges for you.
• Having two adults present is ideal for delivery. One can direct the crew and answer questions, the other can solely be in charge of checking off the inventory and ensuring all items have arrived.
• On the day of delivery, the van operator will attempt to contact you by phone and may visit your new home if they are not able to reach you. If you or an authorized individual are unable to accept delivery of your belongings within the free waiting 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 is any change in the state of your property from what is noted on the inventory, note discrepancies on the van operator’s copy of the inventory. By signing the inventory, you’re acknowledging receipt and the condition of all inventoried items.
• 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, which the movers can use to figure out where each piece of furniture belongs.
• Keep all documents pertaining to your move in a safe place. You will need them for verification of moving expenses when you file your federal income tax returns.
• To help avoid possible damage, leave appliances and electronics turned off for about one day while they adjust to new room temperatures.

Settling in: one week after move

• The time has come to make it official! Check in with your local post office for any mail being held and ask for delivery to commence.
• Check state (and local) requirements for car registration and a driver’s license.
• You may want to select an attorney to discuss regulations that pertain to your new state, county and/or city. Be sure to cover such matters as wills, transfers of property, and investment laws, insurance regulations, inheritance laws, tax regulations, etc. Most laws take effect as soon as residence in the new state and/or city is established.