The Ultimate Moving Checklist

Eliminate Uncertainty with a Moving Plan

As the Cleveland moving leader, our team has the best tips to keep everything in order during your up and coming move. We created the Ultimate Moving Checklist to guide you leading up to the big day. From getting a moving quote, to managing your utilities13, hiring professional services, preparing your items for the move—we got it all covered here.

8 Weeks Out: Schedule an In-Home or Virtual Estimate

• It's the time to reach out for a moving estimate. Schedule an appointment for a move representative to view your home (either in-person or virtually), discuss your move particulars and prepare a moving quote.
• If your employer is paying for your move, refer to their moving quote policy to determine what services your employer will cover.
• Do you intend to do any of the packing yourself—or will you have it done by our professional packers? We are eager to discuss all the packing services with you.
• Show your move representative everything that is going to be moved. Any items you don’t disclose or that are added after the fact will increase the cost, even if you have been given a binding moving quote.
• Review the “Your Rights and Responsibilities” and be sure that you understand the extent of your liability.

7 Weeks Out: Sign your estimate and book your move

• Approve your moving quote| only after you fully understand the document. If you have questions, be sure to ask your sales representative. We want to be of service to you.
• Secure your move date and reconfirm your relocation strategy when you officially book your move.
• Keep the phone number and title of your relocation coordinator within reach, and feel free to inquire or ask for more useful suggestions.

6 Weeks Out: Notify Your Utilities and Service Providers

• To make sure your mail gets to your new address, tell the post office you’re moving. You can complete an online Change of Address form on the United States Postal Service website.
• Change your address with your banks, insurance companies, credit card companies, and magazines.
• Update your information with doctors, attorneys, accountants, and any other professional services.

5 Weeks Out: Determine what to toss, sell or give away

• Go through every area in your house to sort through what will go with you and what will be left behind.
• Host a yard sale to dispose of any stuff you don't want.
• Donate your unused clothing, furniture or other items for the home (pots, pans, dishes, bedding, etc.) to your preferred Cleveland charities. Don’t forget to grab receipts showing the items’ approximate value for possible tax deductions.
• If you are packing yourself, start now so you are not panicked at the last minute. Some items that are great to start with are books, out of season clothes, knick knacks.

4 Weeks Out: Check in with your mover

• Advise your moving company if you add or subtract items from your planned moving quote or if there are any changes to your move-in or move-out date.
• Be sure that your relocation specialist has your updated address and phone number where you can be reached.
• Verify that your relocation specialist knows of any extra stops required to pick up or deliver goods to a different address – verify this is listed on your moving quote.

3 Weeks Out: Prepare your friends and family

• Take the family for a last visit to some of the places that hold happy memories.
• Have a going away party for children and their friends.
• Celebrate… an outdoor barbecue. Keep it simple.
• Book family travel reservations. Reserve accommodations and flight tickets as needed.
• If you'll be driving, have your car mechanic check out your car. (check tires, brakes, windshield wipers, fluids, belts, etc.).
• If you are traveling by plane, make sure you have your airfare and other necessary transportation booked.
• consider about what belongings you’ll need for the trip and for your first night in your new home. Put them in a separate area so they won’t accidentally get packed.
• You have to properly dispose of flammable things such as fireworks, cleaning fluids, matches, acids, chemistry sets, aerosol cans, ammunition, and poisons such as weed killer. Drain gasoline from your power mower and other yard equipment and make sure all caps are tight. Throw away partly used cans of oil, paint, thinner, bleach or any other liquids that could be flammable or combustible or those stored in containers that might leak. Please read the full list of prohibited items.
• Dispose of propane tanks for barbecues.
• Arrange to have utilities disconnected. Plan to keep utilities in service through moving day.
• Get your carpets and curtains cleaned. Leave both wrapped when they are returned from the cleaners.
• Obtain a written appraisal of antique items to verify value. Avoid waxing or oiling wooden antiques (and fine wood furniture) before your move because some of these products might soften the wood, making it vulnerable to being damaged.
• Do not clean your upholstered furniture before moving. Moisture may result in mold if furniture must be placed in storage.

2 Weeks Out: Plan for your pets

• Ensure you have made travel plans for your pets. If you need to board them or entrust them with friends, confirm those plans now.
• Bring your pets to the vet and make sure you have any required vaccination records or inoculations – every state has different requirements.
• Retrieve anything you had laundered, stored or fixed.
• Empty your locker at the gym, bowling lanes or other facility.
• Return anything you have loaned from friends, including library books.
• Collect any recurring medications that may be available.
• Ensure you have not overlooked any of the important things.
• Have you packed or eliminated everything that is not being moved? Be sure to advise your moving agent to see if that impacts your moving quote.
• Have you confirmed all the specifics with your move coordinator?

1 Week to go: Last minute details

• Double-check that all mechanical and electrical equipment is adequately prepped for shipping prior to the coming of the vehicle. As per usual, get in touch with your move coordinator with any questions.
• Keep preparing and packing, selling, and preparing your stuff accordingly.

One Day Away

• Highlight any delicate belongings needing special attention. If certain things should not be packed or moved, tag them prominently. Post-it notes work well for this!
• Tag any items or boxes you’ll want immediately when the truck arrives at your new home (valuables, electronics, etc.).
• If you’re doing the packing yourself, make sure everything is packed up before moving day. When they arrive, the van operator will check to make sure boxes have been secured properly.
• If Corrigan is helping you pack, get things you definitely want packed together, such as children’s toys, and organize them in separate groups.
• Turn off all electronic appliances a day in advance of a move, except older plasma TVs, so that they’ll be at room temperature on moving day. This includes home computers, stereos and audio/video equipment.

Moving day

 

• Make it a point to be there to see that all of your items are loaded; remain nearby until loading is complete. After making a final tour of the house, triple-check and sign the inventory. Get your inventory copy from the van operator and store it securely.
• Your move coordinator will check in with you on load day to be sure your expectations are being met. Keep your smartphone handy!
• There will be some necessary paperwork on moving day:
• High-Value Inventory Form: complete and sign stating if any items of extraordinary value are included in the shipment.
• Bill of Lading: states the terms and conditions under which your items will be moved and is also your receipt for the shipment.
• Let the van operator know how you can be reached, including mobile numbers, email address, and destination address, pending the arrival of your belongings at your new home.

Take a last look around

• Is the water shut off?
• Did you turn off furnace and air conditioner switched off?
• Are the light switches off?
• Are all utilities arranged for disconnection?
• Are the windows closed and locked?
• Did you surrender the old house keys?
• Did you leave anything in small closets or cabinets?

Delivery day

• Be present to accept delivery. If you cannot be there in-person, be sure you designate an adult to be your representative to accept delivery and pay any applicable charges for you.
• Two adults present is preferred for delivery. One can direct the crew and answer questions, the other can solely be in charge of marking off the inventory and ensuring all items have been delivered.
• On the day of delivery, the van operator will try to contact you by phone and may visit your new home if they are not able to reach you. If you or an authorized individual are unable to accept delivery of your belongings within the free waiting time (i.e., two hours) you may request more waiting time until the delivery can be made.
• Check your household goods as they’re unloaded. If there are any discrepancies in the state of your property from what is noted on the inventory, note discrepancies on the van operator’s version of the inventory. By signing the inventory, you’re acknowledging receipt and condition of all inventoried items.
• When unloading, each piece of furniture will be positioned as you direct, including putting down rugs and setting up any beds taken apart at origin.
• It always helps to have a guide. Place a floor plan of your new home by the entrance, so the movers can see where each piece of furniture goes.
• Keep all documents pertaining to your move in a safe place. You will need them for claiming moving expenses when you file your federal income tax returns.
• To help avoid possible damage, leave appliances and electronics turned off for about a day while they come up to new room temperatures.

Settling in: one week after move

• The time has come to make it official! Check in with your new post office for any mail being held and ask for delivery to begin.
• Check state (and local) requirements for auto registration and a driver's license.
• You might want to select an attorney to discuss regulations that pertain to your new state, county and/or town. Be sure to cover such matters as estate planning, transfers of property, and investments, insurance regulations, inheritance regulations, taxes, etc. Most laws affect a family as soon as residence in the new state and/or city is established.