Moving from your current home or apartment to your new home can go smoothly with some advanced planning and coordination. Use this handy checklist to keep you on track until the big day!

Two Months until Moving Day

• Inventory your belongings and decide what will come with you and what will be either donated or sold. It may be helpful to create a floor plan of your new home when looking at your furniture. Also consider the style of the home- will your current furniture work with the design of your new home?


• Determine your moving budget. Will you get any part of the move paid for by your employer? Be sure to get the full details of what is covered and who makes the reservations. If not, keep good records! Moving expenses may be tax deductable!


• Book a moving company or reserve a do-it-yourself truck


• Research your new town. Get a relocation packet from your realtor or from the local Chamber of Commerce for information on schools, healthcare, attractions and transportation.

One and a Half Months until Moving Day

• Get copies of your records from all of your physicians, bankers, attorneys, etc. Contact your children's school to advise them of your plans and for the transfer of their records to the new school.


• Don't forget your pets! Get copies of their records if you are moving too far away to still go to the same office. You may want to ask for a referral if your pet has special needs.

One Month until Moving Day

• Figure out how many boxes you will need for the items you will move yourself. Also look at items such as large decorations and furniture- have you budgeted enough space in your moving van to hold it all?


• Research storage facilities near your new home in case you need a temporary place to put things while you arrange where it all goes.


• Make or contract for any repairs to your current home as part of your sales agreement.


• Get a change of address packet from the U.S. Post Office to forward your mail. Also change the addresses of your credit card statements as they come in.


• Call all of your utilities to give them the shut off or transfer of service date for your home. Make sure to provide them with your new address for the final bill.
• Does your current bank have a branch near your new home? If not, check with your banker regarding procedures to close out your accounts and how best to transfer funds, if applicable.


• Clean out your safety deposit box and close the account.


• Close any local credit accounts and charge cards as statements come in.

Three Weeks until Moving Day

• Get all the items you'll need to pack up your belongings: Boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, newspaper, labels, markers, scissors and a utility knife. You'll also want to get things that will help with the move like a dolly, furniture pads, old blankets and bungee cords.


• Start packing all of the things you don't need right away


• Call all of the utilities in the area of your new home to get new service established. This can include: electric/gas, water/sewer, telephone service, cable TV, and home security.

Two Weeks until Moving Day

• Check back with your bank to make sure all accounts are set to close right before you leave. Also be sure to cancel any direct deposits, withdrawls or subscription services (like dial-up e-mail).


• Make sure that you have an appropriate cage, blanket and way to feed your pet during the move process. Take water in a covered plastic bowl.


• Return library books, movies and other borrowed items.

One Week until Moving Day

• Start cleaning your house! Don't forget the oven and the refrigerator/freezer.


• Finish up packing if you are moving yourself.


• Gather up your valuables in a special bag or container that you can easily identify and carry with you.


• Locate the items and paperwork you need for your closing and put them in a file folder.


• Pack a small bag of clothing, toiletries (including medications, first aid kit and pain relievers) and basic things you might need without searching (towels, paper towels, and scissors).


• Number your boxes and keep a master list of what they are and what room they go in.

Moving Day

• Pick up the moving van as early as possible if moving yourself


• Check your current house thoroughly and make sure you've turned off the water and all appliances you are leaving behind.


• Relax and be patient! You'll be settled in your new home soon!