The Ultimate Moving Checklist

Eliminate Uncertainty with a Moving Plan

As the Buffalo moving professionals, Corrigan Moving Systems is familiar with the best suggestions to stay organized during your up and coming move. We put together the Ultimate Moving Checklist to guide you leading up to the big day. From getting a moving quote, to managing your utilities13, getting expert help, packing—our team got it all covered here.

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

• Now is the time to contact us for a moving estimate. Schedule an meeting for a move representative to view your property (either face-to-face or online), discuss your move particulars and prepare a moving estimate.
• If your organization is paying for your move, refer to their moving quote policy to determine what services your employer will cover.
• Do you prefer to do any of the packing yourself—or will you have it done by our pack crews? We are eager to discuss all the packing options with you.
• Provide your move representative everything that will be moved. Any items you don’t disclose or that are added after the fact will increase the cost, even if were 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

• Sign your moving quote| only after you fully understand the paperwork. If you have concerns, be sure to consult your sales representative. We want to assist you in any way we can.
• Lock in your move date and reconfirm your moving schedule when you officially book your relocation.
• Keep the contact number and title of your relocation coordinator handy, and feel free to seek information or request more moving tips.

6 Weeks Out: Notify Your Utilities and Service Providers

• To ensure your mail gets to your new address, tell the post office you’re moving. You can complete an online Change of Address form on the United States Postal Service website.
• Update your address with your financial institutions, insurance providers, credit card companies, and magazines.
• Update 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 come with you and what will stay behind.
• Have a yard sale to sell any stuff you don't want.
• Give away your unused clothing, furniture or other household goods (pots, pans, dishes, bedding, etc.) to your favorite Buffalo charities. Don’t forget to grab donation receipts showing the items’ value for possible tax deductions.
• If you are packing yourself, get started so you are not overwhelmed at the last minute. Some items that are perfect to start with are books, off-season clothes, decorative items.

4 Weeks Out: Check in with your mover

• Advise your relocation specialist if you update your inventory or if there are any changes to your move-in or move-out date.
• Be sure that your moving contact has your new address and phone number where you can be reached.
• Verify that your point of contact knows of any extra locations to collect or drop off items to a different address – make sure this is included in your moving quote.

3 Weeks Out: Prepare your friends and family

• Take the family for final visits to some of their favorite places that hold happy memories.
• Throw a farewell party for the children and their friends.
• Have fun… an informal get-together. Keep it simple.
• Book family travel reservations. Book accommodations and flight tickets as needed.
• If driving, have your mechanic check out your car. (check tires, brakes, windshield wipers, fluids, belts, etc.).
• If you are flying, make sure you have your tickets and other necessary transportation booked.
• Think about what belongings you will have to have for the trip and for your first night in your new home. Set them aside 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 mower and other machinery and make sure all caps are tight. Throw away partly used cans of oil, paint, thinner, bleach or any other liquids that could be flammable or combustible or those stored in containers that may leak. Please read the complete list of non-allowables.
• Discard propane tanks which are used for barbecue grills.
• Set a date for having utilities disconnected. Plan to keep utilities available through moving day.
• Get your carpets and curtains cleaned. Leave both 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) before moving because some products could soften the wood, making it vulnerable to being damaged.
• Do not clean your upholstered furniture before moving. Moisture could lead to mold if furniture is placed in storage.

2 Weeks Out: Plan for your pets

• Ensure you have arranged transportation for your pets. If you need to board them or keep them with relatives, confirm those plans now.
• Bring your pets to the vet and make sure you have all required vaccination records or shots – every state has unique rules.
• Retrieve anything you had laundered, stored or fixed.
• Clear out your locker at the club, bowling alley or other facility.
• Hand over anything you’ve loaned from friends, including books from the library.
• Pick up any recurring medications that may be ready.
• Ensure you have not forgotten any of the critical items.
• Have you packed or gotten rid of everything that’s not moving? Be sure to advise your relocation specialist to see if that affects your moving quote.
• Have you checked all the specifics with your moving manager?

1 Week to go: Last minute details

• Double-check that all mechanical and electrical equipment is properly serviced for shipping prior to the arrival of the truck. As usual, reach out to your coordinator with any questions.
• Keep getting your items ready for the move, selling, and organizing your things accordingly.

One Day Away

• Point out any fragile items needing extra care. If certain things shouldn’t be packed or moved, label them prominently. Sticky notes work well for this!
• Label any items or boxes you will want right away when the truck unloads at your new home (valuables, electronics, etc.).
• If you’re doing the packing yourself, make sure everything is prepared before moving day. Upon arrival, the van operator will check to make sure boxes have been secured properly.
• If Corrigan is helping you pack, collect things you definitely want packed together, such as children’s toys, and organize them in separate groups.
• Disconnect all electronic appliances a day before 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 there to see that all of your belongings are loaded; remain nearby until loading is finished. After making a final tour of the house, triple-check and sign the inventory list. Get your inventory copy from the moving company and put it in a safe place.
• Your move coordinator will check in with you on load day to ensure your expectations are being met. Keep your cell phone handy!
• There will be some necessary paperwork on moving 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 is also your receipt for the shipment.
• Let the van operator know how you can be reached, including telephone numbers, email address, and address, pending the arrival of your belongings at your new home.

Take a last look around

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

Delivery day

• Be present to accept delivery. If you are unable to be there in-person, be sure you authorize an adult to be your representative to accept delivery and pay any applicable charges for you.
• Two adults present is ideal for delivery. One may direct the crew and answer questions, the other may solely be in charge of checking off the inventory and ensuring all items have arrived.
• On the day of delivery, the van operator will try 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 allocated time (i.e., two hours) you may request additional 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 version of the inventory. When you sign the inventory, you are acknowledging receipt and the 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 map of your new home by the entrance, which the movers can use to figure out where each piece of furniture belongs.
• Keep all documents associated with your move in a safe place. You will need them for verification of moving expenses when you file your federal income tax returns.
• To prevent damage, leave appliances and electronics turned off for about 24 hours while they adjust to new room temperatures.

Settling in: one week after move

• It is time to make it official! Check in with your local post office for any mail being held and ask for mail delivery to start.
• Check state (and local) requirements for auto 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 estate planning, transfers of property, and investment laws, insurance laws, inheritance laws, tax regulations, etc. Most laws apply as soon as residence in the new state or city is established.