Moving Checklist

8–12 Weeks Before You Move:

• If you own your home, contact your real estate agent to begin the selling process.
• Decide upon your preferred moving dates.
• Research your new community by using on-line moving tools:
  • Compare school districts
  • Obtain free town/city reports
  • Use a salary and mortgage calculator to compare new and old costs of living
• Set up a house-hunting trip to your new town or city.
• Find out if your employer will pay for the move, or will provide you with a lump sum or a direct reimbursement. If so, discuss Bekins’ enCompass program.
• Have a garage sale or donate goods you do not wish to take with you. This will help you save costs on the move.

4-8 Weeks Before You Move:

• Contact Bekins Northwest to schedule a convenient time for a free estimate.
• Purchase/rent your new home; arrange financing; establish close dates.
• Make a list of everyone you need to notify of your move.
• Obtain change of address cards from your local post office.
• Check with your school on transferring your children’s school records.
• Research driver’s license requirements for the state you are moving to.
• Find out from the IRS or your accountant if moving expenses can be tax deductible.
• Contact your insurance agent to discuss your new home’s insurance needs.
• Enroll in a new bank in your new city.
• Organize your medical and dental records.

3 Weeks Before You Move:

• Make a decision on whether you will pack your own cartons or if you’d like to utilize a professional packing service.
• Begin the packing process (if you are doing it yourself).
• Compile all important personal records.
• Change your address on credit cards, magazine subscriptions, etc..
• If you have children, arrange for them to be at a babysitter during loading day.
• Arrange to have your utilities disconnected AFTER your move-out day (not before).
• Arrange to connect your utilities at your new home the day BEFORE your scheduled move-in day.

2 Weeks Before You Move:

• Plan to use all the food in your refrigerator and freezer.
• Clean your home and clear your basement and attic.
• Cancel all current delivery services, such as newspapers.
• Dispose of all flammables, cleaners, paints, aerosols, ammunition, etc.
• Transfer all current prescriptions to a local pharmacy near your new home.
• Clear out your safety deposit box.
• Transfer bank accounts.
• Verify that you have packed everything.
• Drain the oil and gasoline from your lawn mower and other power tools if they are to be moved .

One Week Before You Move:

• Confirm your travel arrangements for your family.
• Provide contact phone numbers for your moving agent so you are accessible while in transit.
• Empty and clean your appliances such as your refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, etc.
• Only use the household items that you absolutely need, such as sheets, towels, a few pans and dishes. Make sure everything else is ready to be moved.

Moving Day:

• Review all paperwork with your moving van driver.
• Be available to check off inventory of all items moving.
• Once moving van is loaded, double check that nothing was left behind in your old home.
• Make sure your children and pets are not at home so that they do not get in the way of the movers.