How to Organize a Moving List

The key to relocation happiness is organization.

Relocation ranks among the top 35 life event stressors, according to the Holmes-Rahe Life Stress Inventory. Stress affects people differently, and coping with a life-changing event like relocating can be challenging. Tackling those challenges productively may simply begin with organization. Organizing your thoughts and schedules while meeting problems with a sense of humor, with a list in hand, can help make your move a little easier and less stressful. Your checklist should begin a couple of months before your move and end with moving day. Milestones should be marked every couple of weeks at the eight, six, four, two, and one week intervals until moving day.

Instructions

The Weeks Prior to Moving Week

1. Sort and get rid of unnecessary clutter from every room in your home two months before moving day. Get on-site estimates from moving companies in writing. File all moving-related expenses and receipts. Take photos of personal items or create a list of those items that will be moved by the moving company, including any serial numbers. Transfer school records at least eight weeks before the move. Taking care of items that may take time to accomplish a couple of months early helps keep you on the road to organization.

2. Order moving supplies six weeks before the move. Use household and food items that won't be moving with you. Make sure that all furniture fits through your new home's doors by measuring heights and widths. Keeping this task first on your list will allow time for furniture problems to be solved.

3. Pack and clearly label items that aren't in constant use around one month before your move. Make sure that you note which room each box will go to and which items may need special insurance. Transfer valuables yourself. Confirm arrangements with your choice of moving companies. Detail costs and moving specifications in writing to ensure no stressful last-minute surprises. Organization is the key to a smooth move.

4. Change your address about four weeks before the move, and ask a close neighbor or friend to check for stray mail a couple of weeks after your move. Notify businesses, banks, credit cards, doctors and your job's human resources department that you have new contact information. It takes time for medical records to be transferred. There may be a nominal charge. Transferring four weeks before the move clears the way for your records to be in place if you have appointments close to moving day.

5. Reaffirm details with the moving company two weeks before the move, and arrange to supervise the movers that day. Service your vehicle. The last thing you need is for your car to break down on moving day. Double-check that all financial changes are underway or accomplished with your old bank, and make sure that your new bank accounts and ATM cards work properly. Giving yourself a couple of weeks before the move to check on details cuts down on stress.

The Days Before Your Move

1. Refill prescriptions and fill a pill box for moving day that you can carry with you at least one week before moving day. Pack enough clothes for each member of the family for three days in case of a last-moment glitch.

2. Reconfirm details of the move with movers, family and friends a few days before the move to ensure that everyone is organized and on the same page. If you have a freezer, defrost it a day or two before the move.

3. Arrange to have tip money on hand for the movers, and confirm payment details at least three or four days before the move. A 10 to 15 percent tip should suffice unless the move was difficult. In that case, tip accordingly.

4. Verify the moving company, and check mover IDs on moving day. Supervise all inventory leaving your old home, and arrange for someone to supervise the inventory coming into your new home if you cannot. Sign your bill of lading and all inventory slips. Inspect often. Since you've organized your list two months prior to moving day, then the day should be less stressful for all involved.

Tips & Warnings

• Find an online moving checklist, and modify it to fit your needs.

• Get the moving company's USDOT number the day you accept your written quote, and make sure that that number matches the moving company's truck USDOT number on moving day to avoid being scammed. Remember that many people have known for two months that you are moving, so scams aren't unheard of.

References

• Real Simple: Moving Checklist
• Harvest Enterprises: The Holmes-Rahe Scale
• Help Guide: Understanding Stress