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| Stacie Turner |
| 202.494.8220 |
202.234.3344 |
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One Month Before Moving
• Fill out change of address order form for post office.
• Fill out an IRS change of address form.
• Make arrangements with moving company or reserve a rental truck.
• Make travel arrangements, if necessary, with airlines, buses, car rental |
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agencies and hotels. |
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| • Transfer memberships in churches, clubs and civic organizations. |
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| • Obtain medical and dental records, x-rays and prescription histories. Ask |
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doctor and dentist for referrals and transfer prescriptions. |
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| • Set up a checking account in your new city. |
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| • Check into the laws and requirements of your new city regarding home-based |
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businesses, professional tests, business licenses and any special laws that
might be applicable to you. |
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| • Take inventory of your belongings before they're packed, in the event you need |
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to file an insurance claim later. If possible, take pictures or video tape your belongings. Record serial numbers of electronic equipment. |
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| • Make arrangements for transporting pets. |
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| • Start using up food items, so that there is less left to pack and possibly spoil. |
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| One To Two Weeks Before Moving |
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| • Switch utility services to new address. Inform electric, disposal, water, |
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newspaper, magazine subscription, telephone and cable companies of your move. |
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• Reserve elevator, if moving from an apartment.
• Clean rugs and clothing and have them wrapped for moving. |
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| • Close bank accounts and have your funds wired to your new bank. Before |
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closing, be sure there are no outstanding checks or automatic payments that haven't been processed. |
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| • Collect valuables from safe-deposit box. Make copies of any important |
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documents before mailing or hand carry them to your new address. |
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| • Check with your insurance agent to ensure you'll be covered through your |
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homeowner's or renter's policy during the move. |
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| • Defrost freezer and refrigerator. Place deodorizer inside to control odors. |
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| • Give a close friend/relative your travel route and schedule so you may be |
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reached if needed. |
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| Day Before the Move |
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| • Clean – remember you must leave your property "broom clean" for the new |
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owners - so don't forget to clean the refrigerator, stove, microwave and fireplace. |
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| • Leave behind all appliance manuals, spare keys and garage door openers. |
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| On Moving Day |
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| • Double check closets, drawers, shelves, attic and garage to be sure they |
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are empty. |
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| • Carry important documents, currency and jewelry yourself, or use registered mail. |
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| After Arriving At New Home |
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| • Renew your driver's license, auto registration and tags. |
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| • Shop around for new insurance policies, especially auto coverage. |
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| • Revise your will and other legal papers to avoid longer probate and higher |
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legal fees. |
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| • Locate the hospitals, police stations, veterinarian and fire stations near your home. |
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FOR Additional Move related information and resources (i.e. moving companies,
truck rental, storage, etc.), go to: www.move.com |
| • Keep the following supplies handy for packing: Boxes, marking pen, bubble wrap, |
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newspaper and tissue |
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| • Tape, scissors, and tape measure |
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| • Use strong boxes and containers that can be secured tightly. Purchase special |
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boxes for dishes, wardrobe and other special items. |
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| • Pack audio-video equipment in their original boxes. Label cables and tighten transit |
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screws. If removing screws, tape them to the objects they are removed from. |
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| • Avoid loading more than 50 pounds into one box. |
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| • Label each box and indicate the following: (a) Which room it should go in |
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(b) Whether it is fragile (c) If it should be loaded last so it will be unloaded first. |
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| • Cushion contents with packing material such as bubble wrap, newspaper or tissue. |
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Save room by using towels and blankets to wrap fragile items. |
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| • Pack books tightly on end in small boxes. If musty smelling, sprinkle talcum powder |
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between the pages and wrap the book before packing. Leave stored for a couple
of months to eliminate the smell. |
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| • Have rugs and draperies cleaned before moving and leave them in wrappings for |
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the move. |
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| • Pack medicines in a leak-proof container. |
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| • Carry all valuables with you. |
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| • Check with your local U.S. Department of Agriculture for regulations regarding |
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moving plants from one state to another. Many states have restrictions on certain plants to prevent importing bugs or pests that can destroy valuable cash crops. |
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| ABOUT MOVING COMPANIES . . . |
| Consumer complaints against moving companies have been rising. Following are some tips that can help your move go smoothly. |
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| • Get a binding estimate from the moving company. Make sure the amount is |
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written in the contract. |
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| • Inquire about their on-time record and other complaints with the local Better |
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Business Bureau or consumer complaints department. |
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| • Movers are limited by law regarding what they can give you for lost or damaged |
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goods. To cover potential damage, check existing homeowner's or renter's policy. |
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| • Ask about expected gratuities and write into contract. |
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| • Have the contract include a guarantee of how many hours the job will take, |
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allowing an overrun of no more than 10%. |
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| • Be sure all charges are listed on contract. |
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| • Inform the moving company of how many stairs are at your new home. |
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| • Watch loading and unloading, examine all items carefully before signing a receipt. |
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| • Document an inventory of your belongings before you pack. |
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