One Month + Before the Move

  • Review your relocation package if you have one, and determine what expenses will be paid by your company
  • Start a log of moving expense receipts (some may be tax deductible)
  • Get written estimates from at least 2 moving companies, including their written commitment of pickup and delivery dates.  Get references.  Check the limits of insurance they offer, and if it covers replacement cost.  Purchase additional insurance if necessary
  • Arrange for storage facility, if you plan to store any contents.  Again, check insurance
  • Arrange transport service for pets or vehicles if needed
  • Complete a change of address form with the Post Office to re-route mail
  •  Organize all important documents in a fire-safe box.  Some things you want to include are school records, home purchase/sale papers, will, marriage/divorce papers, pet documents, financial records, stock certificates, National Insurance cards, birth certificates, and passports
  • Give notice of resignation to any clubs, organizations or volunteer activities you belong to
  • Cancel newspaper subscriptions
  • Arrange for hotels, hire cars or temporary housing as needed

Two Weeks Before the Move    

  • Take a ruthless walk-through to determine what you really want to take
  • Tag the rest of it and do a car boot sale; or call a charity for pick-up
  • Clean out club, gym and school lockers; pick up all dry cleaning
  • Arrange for the disconnection or changeover of utilities
  • Have measurements taken of the rooms in your new residence and use floor plans to determine where everything will go
  • Begin packing less-used items.  Number and label each box, and keep an inventory
  • Retrieve and return all borrowed items from neighbours & friends; return library books
  • Clean out the cupboards & plan remaining meals so you can pack what you don't need, and don't buy any more perishables than you have to

One Week Before the Move

  • Make an inventory list of all items going with you personally.   Keep valuable and irreplaceable items such as jewellery and heirlooms with you, not movers
  • Confirm arrangements and dates with moving & storage companies
  • Confirm arrangements with auto & pet transportation companies
  • Confirm hotel, hire car or temporary housing accommodations
  • Start running down food in the fridge/freezer
  • Change your insurance policies on property, motor and medical
  • Disassemble furniture or other items
  • Be sure to check garden, sheds and lofts for all items to pack
  • Inform all friends & relatives of your forwarding address
  • Take pictures of furniture or get fabric samples for anything you will want to reference for colour or decorating before your goods are delivered to your new home.
  • Set aside a box of cleaning supplies and the vacuum cleaner
  • Begin making a "Survival Box" for the move.  This should include such items as; paper, pens, stamps, envelopes, cellophane & heavy duty tape, scissors, tape measure, paper cups, carrier bags, paper plates & towels, plastic utensils, facial & toilet tissue, instant coffee or tea, cream/sugar, soap, moist wipes, aspirin, plasters, can opener, bottled water, travel alarm, torch, small tool kit, black bin liners, snacks and drinks, children's games, address book, spare car keys, phone books for the town you are leaving and your destination.

A couple of Days Before the Move

  • Clean and defrost refrigerator and freezer
  • Clean every room and check for items that may have been overlooked
  • Conclude financial matters relating to the sale or lease of your home
  • Movers or your family should complete packing of all household goods for the move.  Make sure are boxes are clearly marked

Moving Day

  • Confirm delivery address, directions and delivery date with the movers
  • Carefully supervise the move.  Make sure boxes are clearly marked and your instructions are understood
  • Clean the home and check entire grounds before leaving
  • Check thermostat and make sure temperature is set appropriately.  Make sure all windows and doors are closed and locked, and all appliances are turned off.  Leave forwarding address, garage door openers and any keys, if agreed to, for the new owners or tenants
  • If your home is going to be vacant when you leave, make sure a relative, neighbour or estate agent has the keys and how to contact you.  Also, notify your insurance company, if necessary, that the home will be empty.

Arrival Day

  • Check to make sure all utilities are on and working properly
  • Let family members or friends know you have arrived safely.  Check in with your employer and estate agent to confirm itineraries
  • Supervise moving crew on location of furniture and boxes.  Begin unpacking necessary basics first - basic kitchen utensils, bath toiletries, etc. 
  • Give the kids a job to do - let them start on their rooms.  Usually, the kitchen and the kids rooms are the best to set up first, as it helps them feel at home

Now relax, order dinner out, and take a long hot bath....you deserve it!

 After the Move

  • Examine everything that moved with you.  Do this within one week.  You may have missed something at the time of delivery from the movers. Yes, your case will be weaker-but you still can file for damages
  • Before putting unpacked things away, ask yourself if you really need it.  Donate what you don't need to a charity. Maintain a box for keeping such items on a regular basis
  • Rather than put up shelves, buy free-standing enclosures. These make the area much neater and cleaner, and make subsequent moves much easier
  • Give your home an extra-thorough cleaning after you have unpacked everything, so you can get rid of the dust and other irritants that came from the moving process
  • Buy maps of your area, and keep one copy in each vehicle
  • Go to the homes of neighbours on either side of you, and across the street or hallway as appropriate. These folks will can help protect your home, by watching things when you are away for any reason. They may also help you move in. Introduce yourself, and arrange for them to visit you soon. One purpose of the visit can be for them to show you, on a map, the main routes, attractions, shopping areas, and so on that you will need to know about
  • Set aside enough time once a week for a dinner appointment or some other activity you can do once with each of your neighbours. This is not a repeating thing-just a "help us get acquainted with the city and with you" thing. Offer to pay, if they will drive and show you something that will help you understand more about what is in your city and where

 

Disclaimer

The information contained within this checklist is intended as a guide only and Gillera Transport Services shall not be liable for any consequential, incidental or direct damages suffered in the course of using the information.