The Ultimate Moving Checklist

Eliminate Uncertainty with a Moving Plan

As the Bay City moving pros, our team understands the best tips to keep on top of things during your forthcoming move. We created the Ultimate Moving Checklist to keep you on track. From requesting a quote, to utilities, getting expert help, packing your belongings—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 home (either in-person or online), discuss your move particulars and prepare a moving estimate.
• If your company 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 yourself—or will you have it done by our pack crews? We are eager to discuss all the packing options with you.
• Show your move representative everything that’ll be moved. Any items you fail to disclose or that are added to the shipment later 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

• Authorize your moving quote| only after you comprehend the paperwork. If you have issues, be sure to ask your move coordinator. We want to assist you in any way we can.
• Secure your moving day and confirm your moving plan when you book your relocation.
• Keep the phone number and name of your moving consultant readily available, and feel free to inquire or request more helpful hints.

6 Weeks Out: Notify Your Utilities and Service Providers

• To make sure your mail gets to your new address, tell the post office you’re moving. You can fill out an online Change of Address form on the United States Postal Service website.
• Update your address with your banks, insurance companies, credit cards, and magazine subscriptions.
• Change your information with medical providers, lawyers, financial planners, and any other professional services.

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

• Look through every area in your house to decide on what will go with you and what will stay behind.
• Have a yard sale to dispose of any things you don't need.
• Donate your unwanted clothing, furniture or other home decor (pots, pans, dishes, bedding, etc.) to your favorite Bay City charities. Don’t forget to grab donation receipts showing the items’ value for potential future tax deductions.
• If you are packing yourself, start now so you are not panicked at the end. Some items that are great to start with are books, off-season clothes, decorative items.

4 Weeks Out: Check in with your mover

• Inform your move representative if you update your inventory or if there are any updates to your moving schedule.
• Be sure that your moving contact has your updated address and phone number where you can be contacted.
• Verify that your relocation specialist knows of any extra stops required to collect or drop off items to a different address – verify this is listed on 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 children and their friends.
• Have fun… an outdoor barbecue. Keep it simple.
• Book family travel plans. Book lodging and airfare 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 plane tickets and other necessary transportation booked.
• consider about what things you’ll need for the trip and for your first night in your new home. Put them in a separate area so they don’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 gas from your mower and other yard tools and be sure all caps are secure. Disposve of partly used cans of oil, paint, thinner, bleach or any other substances that are flammable or combustible or those stored in containers that could leak. Please read the complete list of non-allowables.
• Discard propane tanks which are used for barbecue grills.
• Arrange to have utilities disconnected. Plan to keep utilities in service through moving day.
• Get your carpets and curtains cleaned. Leave both wrapped when you get them back from the cleaners.
• Obtain a written appraisal of antique items to verify value. Avoid waxing or oiling wooden antiques (and fine wood furniture) before your move because some products might soften the wood, making it susceptible to imprinting from furniture pads.
• Do not clean your upholstered furniture before moving. Moisture could result in mold if furniture is placed in storage.

2 Weeks Out: Plan for your pets

• Make sure you have made travel plans for your pets. If you need to board them or entrust them with friends, double-check those plans now.
• Bring your pets to the vet and make sure you have all required health certificates or immunizations – every state has unique regulations.
• Retrieve anything you had cleaned, stored or fixed.
• Clear out your locker at the club, pool hall or other facility.
• Return anything you’ve loaned from colleagues, including library books.
• Pick up any auto-refilled prescriptions that may be waiting for you.
• Make sure you have not forgotten any of the important things.
• Have you packed or gotten rid of everything that’s not relocating? Be sure to notify your move representative to see if that impacts your moving quote.
• Have you verified all the specifics with your moving manager?

1 Week to go: Last minute details

• Ensure that all mechanical and electrical equipment is adequately prepped for shipping prior to the coming of the vehicle. As always, speak to your coordinator with any questions.
• Keep packing, selling, and preparing your stuff accordingly.

One Day Away

• Identify any breakable items needing extra care. If certain belongings should not be packed or moved, mark them appropriately. Sticky notes work well for this!
• Tag any items or boxes you’ll want as soon as possible when the truck gets to 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 look to see if boxes have been properly packed.
• If Corrigan is helping you pack, get things you definitely want packed together, such as children’s toys, and organize them in separate groups.
• Turn off all electronic appliances 24 hours in advance of a move, except older plasma TVs, so that they’ll be at room temperature on moving day. This includes home computers, stereos and audio/video equipment.

Moving day

 

• Make it a point to be available to see that all of your belongings are loaded; remain close by until loading is done. After making a final tour of the house, inspect and sign the inventory. Get your inventory copy from the van operator and put it in a safe place.
• Your move coordinator will check in with you on load day to make sure your expectations are being met. Keep your mobile device handy!
• There will be some required 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 goods are moved and is also your receipt for the shipment.
• Make sure to let the van operator know how to contact you, including telephone numbers, email address, and home 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 furnace and air conditioner turned off?
• Did you switch off light switches off?
• Are all utilities arranged for disconnection?
• Are the windows closed and locked?
• Have you turned in the old house keys?
• Did you leave anything in small closets or cabinets?

Delivery day

• Be on hand to accept delivery. If you cannot be there physically, be sure you designate an adult to be your representative to accept delivery and pay any fees for you.
• Two adults present is preferred 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 attempt to contact you by phone and may stop by your new home if they are unable 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 more waiting time until the delivery can be made.
• Check your household goods as they are unloaded. If there is any change in the state of your property from what is noted on the inventory, note the discrepancy 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 placed as you direct, including putting down 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 should go.
• Keep all documents related 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 mail delivery to start.
• Check state (and local) requirements for car registration and a driver's license.
• You might want to select an attorney to discuss laws that pertain to your new state, county and/or town. Be sure to cover such matters as estate planning, transfers of property, and investments, insurance regulations, inheritance laws, taxes, etc. Most laws apply as soon as residence in the new state or city is established.