The Ultimate Moving Checklist

Eliminate Uncertainty with a Moving Plan

As the Rochester moving leader, Corrigan Moving Systems knows the best recommendations to keep everything in order 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 utilities, hiring professional services, packing your belongings—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 appointment for a move representative to view your home (either face-to-face or online), discuss your move details and prepare a moving quote.
• If your employer 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 professional packers? We are eager to discuss all the packing services with you.
• Show your move representative everything that’ll be moved. Any items you do not 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

• Sign your moving quote| only after you fully understand the paperwork. If you have questions, be sure to consult your move coordinator. We want to provide all the help that you may need.
• Lock in your relocation date and validate your moving schedule when you officially book your relocation.
• Keep the telephone number and identity of your relocation specialist readily available, and feel free to request more moving tips or ask for 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 that you’re moving. You can fill out an online Change of Address form on the United States Postal Service website.
• Change your address with your banks, insurance companies, credit cards, and magazines.
• Change your information with medical providers, lawyers, accountants, 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 not.
• Have a yard sale to sell any things you don't need.
• Give away your unused clothing, furniture or other home decor (pots, pans, dishes, bedding, etc.) to your favorite Rochester charities. Don’t forget to grab proof of donation showing the items’ approximate value for possible tax deductions.
• If you are packing yourself, start now so you are not panicked at the last minute. Some items that are great to start with are books, off-season clothes, collectables.

4 Weeks Out: Check in with your mover

• Notify 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 point of contact has your future address and phone contact where you can be contacted.
• Ensure that your point of contact knows of any extra locations to pick up or deliver goods to a alternate site – make sure this is included in 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.
• Throw a going away party for children and their friends.
• Have fun… an informal get-together. Keep it simple.
• Book family travel plans. Reserve accommodations and flight tickets as needed.
• If you're 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 things you’ll have to have for the trip and for your first night in your new home. Put them in a separate area 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 gas from your power 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 liquids that are 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 in service through moving day.
• Get your carpets and curtains cleaned. Leave both wrapped when you get them back from the cleaners.
• Get a written appraisal for your antiques. Avoid waxing or oiling wooden antiques (and fine wood furniture) before your move because some of these products could soften the wood, making it susceptible to damage.
• Avoid cleaning your upholstered furniture before moving. Moisture can result in mold if furniture is placed in storage.

2 Weeks Out: Plan for your pets

• Ensure you have made travel plans for your pets. If you need to kennel them or entrust them with pet-sitters, double-check those plans now.
• Take your pets to the vet and ensure you have any required health certificates or shots – every state has specific regulations.
• Retrieve anything you had cleaned, stored or repaired.
• Clear out your locker at the gym, bowling lanes or other facility.
• Return anything you’ve borrowed from neighbors, including library books.
• Retrieve any auto-refilled medications that may be available.
• Ensure you haven’t missed any of the critical items.
• Have you packed or eliminated everything that is not moving? Be sure to advise your move representative to see if that alters your moving quote.
• Have you checked all the details with your relocation coordinator?

1 Week to go: Last minute details

• Make sure that all mechanical and electrical equipment is adequately prepped for shipping prior to the coming of the vehicle. As usual, speak to your coordinator with any concerns.
• Keep packing, selling, and preparing your items accordingly.

One Day Away

• Identify any extra-fragile items needing special treatment. If certain things should not be packed or moved, label them clearly. Labels work well for this!
• Tag any items or boxes you will want first when the truck arrives at your new home (valuables, electronics, etc.).
• If you are doing your own packing, make sure everything is packed up before moving day. When they arrive, the van operator will check to be sure boxes have been secured properly.
• If Corrigan is helping you pack, get things you definitely want packed together, such as children’s toys, and group them in separate groups.
• Disconnect all electronic appliances a day ahead of 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 make sure that all of your goods are loaded; remain nearby until loading is done. After making a final tour of the house, double-check and sign the shipment inventory. Get your copy from the moving company and put it in a safe place.
• Your relocation specialist will check in with you on load day to make sure your expectations are being met. Keep your cell phone handy!
• There will be some required paperwork on the big day:
• High-Value Inventory Form: complete and sign stating if any items of extraordinary value are included in the shipment.
• Bill of Lading: states the terms and conditions under which your goods will be 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, and destination address, pending the arrival of your belongings at your new home.

Take a last look around

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

Delivery day

• Make sure to be available to accept delivery. If you cannot be there in-person, be sure you authorize an adult to be your representative to accept delivery and pay any fees for you.
• Having two adults present is optimal for delivery. One can direct the crew and answer questions, the other can solely be in charge of marking off the inventory and ensuring all items are accounted for.
• 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 cannot accept delivery of your belongings within the allocated time (i.e., two hours) you can request more waiting time until the delivery can be made.
• Check your household goods as they are unloaded. If there are any discrepancies in the condition of your property from what is noted on the inventory, mark the discrepancy on the van operator’s version of the inventory. When you sign the inventory, you’re acknowledging receipt and condition of all inventoried items.
• When unloading, each piece of furniture will be positioned as you direct, including putting down rugs and setting up any beds taken apart at origin.
• It always helps to have a guide. Place a floor plan of your new home by the entrance, which the movers can use to figure out where each piece of furniture goes.
• 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 a day while they adjust to new room temperatures.

Settling in: one week after move

• It is time to make your move official! Check in with your destination post office for any mail being held and ask for mail delivery to begin.
• Check state (and local) requirements for auto 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 city. Be sure to cover such matters as wills, property transfers, and investments, insurance laws, inheritance regulations, tax regulations, etc. Most laws take effect as soon as residence in the new state and/or city is established.