Comprehensive Relocation Checklist
Relocating to a new home involves more than mere physical labor, boxes and tape. Moving necessitates the use of a checklist to avoid the physical, emotional and mental distress that result from unexpected events and expenses. Following a comprehensive checklist ensures that a relocation progresses in a timely, organized and predictable manner.
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Preparation
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Preparation for moving should begin at least two months before the move occurs. Establishing and adhering to a budget will preclude excessive or unnecessary expenditures. Budgeting includes identifying reputable moving companies and comparing written quotes. Pricing insurance for property while in transit, if not provided by a moving company or included in a homeowner's policy, should be done simultaneously.
Research medical, veterinary and educational services near your new home. Collect copies of records from such current service providers as doctors, schools and banks to expedite the resumption of these services in a new location.
Gather such legal documents as wills, powers of attorney and birth records to legitimize decision-makers should emergencies occur. Collecting these papers early in the moving process will protect against them being forgotten during the relocation.
Decisions and Packing
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Select a moving company six weeks before your move. The contract with the moving company should clearly indicate what the moving company will pack, how it will transport property and the time frame during which it will complete the move.
Purge your current home of unnecessary goods to offset your moving costs. Sell undesired goods at auctions and yard sales. Donate unsellable items immediately after the end of a yard sale.
Pack early items that are not used regularly, such as seasonal decorations. Videotape valuable possessions before packing them for shipment to assist with potential insurance claims if the items are lost.
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Communication
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Share with friends and family members contact information, including a change of address, a month before moving. Fill out change of address forms with the U.S. Postal Service and the Internal Revenue Service at the same time.
Consult with doctors about refilling prescriptions, terminate club memberships and stop delivery of periodicals four weeks before a move. At the same time, schedule the cessation of utility services at your current home and arrange start dates for utilities at a your new home.
Final Steps
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As your movking date approaches, confirm plans with the moving company to ensure that your schedules remain coordinated. Document valuables with photographs prior to the moving company's arrival to prevent potential disputes about an article's condition or existence.
Pack for use during the trip to your new home such personal belongings as toiletries and other necessities, and an emergency medical kit. Include such vital documents as medical records and legal papers with your personal belongings to prevent them from being lost during the move. Keep them handy should they be needed.
Employ a professional cleaning service to prepare your current home for its new residents. This will guarantee that disposable items mistakenly left behind are removed and that the remnants of the recent move are undetectable.
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References
- Photo Credit checklist of the public health service image by Alexey Klementiev from Fotolia.com
