Compiling Personal Records

All the time you have been living in your current home, you have been building important records of your personal history such as medical, dental, financial, and legal information.
If you are moving out of the local area, contact your family doctor and dentist - and all of the specialists you may have been to like pediatricians, obstetricians, and eye doctors and get copies of your medical records. Your new physicians and dentists will need your history. Information gathering should be a simple process that you can begin working on several months before your actual move. If you have a pet, you will need their medical records too. Your veterinarian can give you copies of their immunization certificates, which you will probably need to get new tags or licenses.

Arrange to transfer the contents of your safety deposit box to a bank near your new home. In it, you will likely have not only securities and valuables, but also important papers like marriage and birth certificates. Make sure you have a record of the contents.
While you are at the bank, notify them of your planned move, and arrange to transfer funds to a new bank or branch. And remember the other professionals: accountants, who will have copies of your taxes, lawyers, insurance agents including both life and auto/home coverage, stock brokers, and schools for the kid's records.

Time To Be Practical - Do You Really Need It?

Now is the time to consider what you really do or do not need. Chances are, if you haven't used it in the last year, you probably never will!

Garage sales are another American tradition that are especially useful before moving. They enable you to sell unwanted furniture, appliances, clothing, and other household items that you no longer use.

The kid's room is usually a good place to start when it comes to eliminations. The clothes they have outgrown and the toys they don't play with can be sold at the garage sale, or may be welcomed by your favorite charity. And remember, when you make charitable donations, the Internal Revenue Service may allow certain deductions from your federal income tax.

Things that Simply Cannot Go

There are things that cannot go with the mover, and that you probably will not want to move yourself; namely hazardous materials.

Hazardous materials include anything flammable or corrosive, like paint, cleaning products, antifreeze and oil, and of course, gasoline. Also, if you have a gas grill with a tank, be sure the tank is completely empty before either you or the mover takes it.
If you have leftover paint from your house, label cans as to where it was used and leave them behind in the garage or basement. The new residents will appreciate the favor.
Keep these types of items clearly separated from everything else so nothing gets packed or moved unintentionally. Whatever you do, remember not to ship anything that might put at risk all of your possessions in the moving van.

Before You Move

1. Dispose of all hazardous materials and combustibles.
2. Separate goods you wish to move yourself.
3. IMPORTANT--Be sure that you understand your insurance coverage and have placed adequate valuation on your household goods.
Please advise your moving representative in advance if you desire additional valuation. If you have any questions, again please ask your moving representative.

On Moving Day

1. DO NOT HAVE YOUR PHONE DISCONNECTED UNTIL AFTER LOADING DAY.

2. Plan your day so that you will not leave your old residence until the moving company leaves, unless you have a reliable person to act on your behalf and to sign all necessary documents.

3. When all goods have been loaded, make a thorough check of all rooms, attics, basements, closets, and cupboards and behind doors. It is your responsibility to make sure that nothing has been overlooked and to make sure nothing has been loaded into the van in error.

Unpacking

Inherent in any move, of course, are stresses and strains that can tire one out. It's important to designate a room in your new home where you can go to relax and unwind.

When you begin your unpacking, first, set out by setting up the kitchen basics. Life will be easier if the microwave, coffee pot and toaster are working.
Next, arrange your bathrooms so you can find toiletries, soap and towels for a relaxing bath or shower at the day's end.

Set realistic goals, if you don't get all of the unpacking done in a day, don't worry; you'll be settled in good time. It's more important that your move be enjoyable.

Here are some things to think about as you prepare for a move. Feel free to print out and consider this list for a worry-free move.

Be sure to contact these services:

Contact moving company and schedule dates. Also make an appointment for an agent to come over and estimate the cost of your move.
Check personal insurance policies to see whether moving is covered. Transfer homeowner's policies to ensure coverage at your new home.
If you are moving to a condominium or apartment, check to see what the moving requirements are. Do you need to make a reservation? Does the elevator have to be reserved? Between what hours is moving allowed? Is moving allowed on the weekend, (if this is when you are planning on moving)? Do they require a 'certificate of insurance' from the moving company? What are the parking restrictions for the moving van?
Cable company
Newspaper
Trash collection
Library
Post Office: notify them of your new address and arrange to have all concurrent mail forwarded. Send out change of address cards.
Bank: arrange for the transfer of your account and contents of your safety deposit box to a bank in your new neighborhood.
Schools: have the school records of your children transferred to the new school.
Doctor: get copies of records from your doctor and phone to find names of doctors in your new location.
Dentist: phone and arrange to have your records sent to your new dentist.
Pharmacy: phone and arrange for the transfer of prescriptions and records.
Prepare a list of friends, relatives, businesses, and others who need to be notified of your move.

Also, be sure to contact these utilities to coordinate the disconnection at origin and the hookup of utilities at destination:

Telephone
Water and Power
Gas Company