Your Moving Timeline

The Moishe’s team is here to help you with some simple instructions and a few tips to ensure that your move is a little easier and lot more organized.

6 Weeks Before Moving Day:

• Moving for work? If your company is handling the relocation, find out exactly what is covered and what you're expected to do.
• Get estimates and compare: Whether you are thinking about renting a moving truck, renting a mobile self storage unit, or hiring a full-service mover, get estimates from at least three providers. Be sure to research the moving companies’ credentials and ask friends, colleagues and relatives for recommendations.
•  If you don’t want it, don’t move it: As you start inventorying your belongings, make a pile of anything you don’t really want to move to your new home and start getting rid of stuff. Arrange for a garage sale, sell items online, donate items to charity or give them away to friends.
• Collect boxes: Buy or find used boxes through Moishe’s Box Exchange, as well as tape, packing paper and box markers. You may also want to use box-like containers such as hampers and suitcases and fill them with non-breakable items.
• Where are you moving to? If you haven't decided on a town, contact real estate agents in the area you're considering, or check out Web sites that let you compare city demographics. If you know what town you want to live in, consider making a house- or apartment-hunting trip. Use this trip to check on schools, too.
• Get a change of address kit from the post office.
• Make a list of everyone who needs to be notified of the move -- relatives, friends, creditors, schools, doctors, dentists, veterinarians, newspapers, magazines, etc.
• If you're moving into a hotel temporarily, consider arranging for a general post office address. It's good for 30 days from first delivery.
• Start a file for notes, receipts and other details of your move.
• Start using food that's in the freezer.
• If you're flying to your new location, book your flight and arrange for someone to transport your car. Arrange for a rental car if necessary.

5 Weeks Before Moving Day:

• Decide which method you are choosing for your move. If it’s DIY, secure a vehicle and friends or family to help with the heavy lifting. If it’s mobile storage, decide when you want your container delivered so you can pack at your own pace.
•  Arrange for a storage facility in your new town if you won't be moving into a new home right away.
• Contact insurance companies to make sure your belongings are covered during your move. If not, find out what the mover covers. Its basic insurance probably insures items by the pound, which is not enough. See what other insurance they offer.
• Have an appraisal of expensive items you want shipped by the mover.
• If you're moving into or out of an apartment building, reserve the elevator for moving day.
• Send change of address cards to the post office, etc.
• Notify schools, day care, doctors, dentists and veterinarians of the move and get copies of records.
• Cancel magazine subscriptions or have them forwarded to the new address.

4 Weeks Before Moving Day:

• Start packing, if you haven’t already. Begin with things you won't need during the next few weeks.
• Set aside a necessities box: This is stuff you'll need right away in your new home -- dishes, utensils, a few pots and pans, coffee pot, can opener, towels, toilet tissue, toothbrush, etc. Make sure the box is clearly marked.
•  Pack a separate box of cleaning supplies—you’ll need to keep those handy for both the end of your move out of your old place and the beginning of your move into your new place.
•  If moving long distance, map out route and book hotel rooms.

3 Weeks Before Moving Day:

• Check your garage, attic and other storage areas for items that need to be packed.
• Confirm with the post office that it received notification of your address change.
•  Plan how you will transport plants or give them away—if you are hiring movers, keep in mind that they won't take them.
• Plan how you will transport hazardous materials or give them away or recycle: Movers also won't take flammables, paint, ammunition, chemicals, etc. Refillable propane tanks must be emptied and sealed by a professional.
• Consider a sitter for children and pets on moving day.

2 Weeks Before Moving Day:

• Arrange to have utilities and phone service shut off, or transferred if it's a local move. Be aware, you will need light on moving day, so have power cut off the day after you move. Keep phone service on through the move unless you're using a cell phone. Don't cancel cell phone service—you may need it while en route to new home.
• Arrange to have utilities and phone service at your new home on the day you arrive.
• Have your vehicle checked to make sure it can handle a long distance move.

1 Week Before Moving Day:

• Close safe deposit box. Important papers, jewelry, etc. should be kept with you for the move.
• Defrost freezer and clean refrigerator.
• Refill prescriptions.
• Confirm date and other arrangements with movers or friends and family.
•  You may want to close savings accounts, but keep your checking account and CDs active until you can open new accounts in your new town. Consider getting traveler's checks for the trip.
•  If you are hiring movers, get a cashier's check for the movers.
• Pack clothes and any items you're taking with you. Leave out only the things you need up until the last minute.
• Drain oil and gas from lawn mowers, snow blowers, snowmobiles, etc.
• Return library books and movie rentals.
• Cancel newspaper subscriptions.

Moving Day:

• Designate one person to supervise the move, whether you have hired movers or are getting help from family and friends.
• After everything is moved out, make a final inspection.
• If you have hired movers or are using a mobile storage service, review the bill of lading very carefully.
• Make sure everyone involved in the move has each other’s phone numbers to ensure everyone arrives on time in your new location.
•  Set the thermostat at the proper setting in your old home.
•  Lock all windows and doors.
• If you're leaving appliances behind, make sure they're turned off.
•  If the house isn't sold yet, make sure a relative and the real estate agent have keys.
•  Let police know the house is vacant.
•  Pack phones and other items you may have left for the last day.
• Don't forget the dog or cat!

Move-In Day:

• Get there before the movers.
• Make sure utilities and the phone have been connected.
•  If you hired movers, have the cashier's or certified check ready. Movers will expect it before they unload.
• Take a quick walk around to make sure you remember where you want furniture placed.
• Designate someone to direct the movers.
•  It may take a couple of weeks to unpack all the boxes. Make sure the movers put them where they won't be in the way.
• Check for damaged items.
•  If you hired movers or used a mobile storage service, carefully review the bill of lading. Make sure all boxes and furniture are accounted for before signing.